Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“You have to be shitting me,” he says.
I flick my wrist out to check the time. “I don’t have time to waste or play games.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just, your sister-in-law just totaled my career and now you’re here with a job offer. That’s crazy. Come on, bro. You have to admit it sounds too good to be true.”
“I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about, and my sister-in-law is too self-absorbed to have an active role in my family’s business, so I fail to see how she could possibly affect my being here either way.
“I’ll google this video for myself. If your skills outmatch whatever bullshit she’s pulled, I’ll be in touch,” I say and turn to leave.
“Wait, wait, you’re really here to offer me a job?” he calls after me.
I don’t turn back around. I throw up a hand to wave. “I was.” With that, we climb back in the car and Jace pulls off.
A look in the side-view mirror shows Jacob staring down at his feet in thought. I grin. My job here is done.
“You think it worked?”
I look at Jace and frown. He grins without turning to look at me. I roll my eyes and pull out my phone to check my emails.
“Riccardo will make sure he’s in touch,” I reply dryly.
Chapter 8
Pull The Curtain
Gio
A month later…
“I know what I just said. Make it happen. I’ll pay you double the commission on top of what she pays,” I snap as I walk out of my office with my earpiece in my ear.
“Gio, man, this is my business. I work on referrals. I can’t afford for her to report me or some shit.”
“Do what I ask or lose the job.”
“You want me to demo the entire place so she can’t live there through the renovation, you sure about this?”
“Good, you did understand what I said. I thought you misunderstood me somewhere. And since I had to repeat myself, I’m only going to give you half of the bonus commission. Don’t disappoint me again, Ralphie.”
“You got it, Gio.”
I hang up as I stop at Lizzy’s desk. I lean on the counter as I look down at her with her head bent over a book. I smile. I’ve learned she has a few sides.
I love them all. I don’t regret entering her life in the least. She’s become as much a friend to me as I have to her. I didn’t know how much I needed that.
Lizzy gives me a sense of normalcy. She reminds me of the innocence Nyla and I once had. Those chess matches I used to play with her sister have now become our thing. I can step out of my thoughts and focus when I spend time with Lizzy.
I can also protect her with her this close. Not that she needs protecting. However, Riccardo made it clear a long time ago that women and children are fair game when it comes to him. There would be no stopping Nyla if he ever touched Lizzy.
“I’m really going to have to talk to HR about the slacking you do around here,” I say low.
She lifts her head with a smile on her lips. It hits me hard as I first see it. I miss her sister so much. I crack my knuckles. It’s almost time to call her back home, so I swallow it down and push the thought back.
“My two mill is already in my account. Tell HR whatever you want,” she says with that cheeky smile.
I wink at her. “Worth every penny.”
She snorts. “We both know that’s a lie. What can I do for you, my friend?”
“You’re coming to the company Halloween party.”
She groans and rolls her eyes. “Do I have to?” she whines.
“Oh, come on. What else do you have to do? If you say read, I’m burning that box of books I just bought you.”
“A box of books, where?” She stands and peeks over the desk, her eyes wide. “And don’t think I won’t cut you for threatening those poor pages with flames.”
“Jace has them in my office.” I lower my voice. “I’ve seen the glares you’re getting when I bring you gifts. He’ll walk them to your car later.”
“Yay, you’re the best.”
“Now, about the party. What are you coming as?”
“I’m not coming,” she murmurs.
“But I need you there and you need to look sexy.”
“Ugh, what for?”
“Because when I met you at twenty-four, this was cute. I liked that you preferred books over humans. You’re twenty-nine, Lizzy. I want you to start living, be open to dating and falling in love.”
“Pfft.” She pulls a face. “You’re serious?”
“Yes, baby girl. I am. Besides, the party is mandatory. You have to be there.”
She pouts and it looks so much like Ny. “Okay, fine. I’ll come up with something.”
“Don’t try to hide all that beauty.” I wink.