Page 170 of Forced Vows

"Oh, good. Thanks, Zoey." Róise smiles at the soldier and then looks at Allessio. "Did you send the press release to me? I can read it now."

Oh, this should be interesting.

Allessio nods and Róise fishes her phone out of the bag before tucking it on the seat beside her.

The first screech comes about a minute later. "Six kids? I'm homeschooling them? I'll kill her."

"I'd prefer you didn't. Especially since that's in there because I was punch drunk tired when I answered her questions. It made me facetious."

"Facetious? More like ridiculous and completely out of touch with reality," she says sarcastically. "Giovanna didn't ask me about children. Really, I know you think she is, but you're pet PR person is not very good at her job."

My pet PR person? Is Róise jealous? My dick likes the thought that she might be. Very much.

"It's no longer her job, so that tracks."

"You fired her?" Róise stares at me, her green eyes wide. "From handling the engagement, right?"

"From Oscuro Enterprises. She'll be lucky to get a job in Public Relations anywhere in New York."

"You blackballed her?" The shock in Róise's tone makes me smile.

I shake my head. "I didn't have to. Her boss is throwing her under the bus as we speak. She had to arrange the schedule shift on the interview. Our media personality is not amused."

"I did tell Ms. Ricci about my exams. On the phone and then when I thought she wasn't listening, I emailed her."

"I believe you. I don't care what her personal feelings are, when I give an order, I expect it to be carried out."

"Have you slept with her?" she asks, her words rushing together.

"Not for lack of trying on her part, but no," I say dryly.

"Is that why you fired her?" my fiancée asks. "She was coming on to you?"

"Giovanna fucked up. There's no place for her under my leadership."

"Are you that unforgiving with everyone?" Róise licks her lips, her head cocked in question.

My eyes follow the tempting pink tip of her tongue as it goes back into her mouth. Mine wants to follow it. "No."

"Why this time?"

"She tried to embarrass and hurt you." And that I will not stand.

Chapter 59: RÓISE

The interview goes a lot easier than I expect. Mostly because instead of his usual stoic underboss routine, Miceli acts like a human being with feelings.

Which we both know is a lie, but he's a better actor than I gave him credit for. A little too good.

When we sit down, he gently but firmly moves Pusheen to the cushion on my other side. Somehow, I'm sitting in the center of the couch and his big body is taking up the space beside me.

He pets Pusheen and tells her she's a good cat. Who is this man?

Pusheen gives him a regal look, lays her head and forepaws on my lap and promptly falls asleep. She's not at all impressed with the celebrity interviewer.

Miceli rests one long arm negligently along the back of the sofa, surrounding me with his presence and doing a pretty good job of looking like a doting fiancé. His fingers trail over the bare skin of my shoulder, sending a constant stream of sensation along my nerve endings I'm trying hard to ignore.

With spectacular failure.

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