Page 149 of Tell Me Lies

When they entered the boardroom, Gigi understood. Ludovico’s brother was like him except for a few inches shorter and dark-brown eyes. He was the picture of the prototypical Italian man.

“Claudio.”

“Ludovico.”

The men nodded at each other, the tension in the room palpable.

“This is Geraldine Evans. She’ll be taking care of the software company’s accounts.”

“You mean, my business.” He came forward, taking Gigi’s hand and bending over it. Gigi pulled back, appalled. Unlike with Ludovico, her reaction to his brother was one of utter disgust. The shorter brother chuckled.

“You pick them well, Mario.”

“Not as well as you.” Ludovico said something in Italian, his tone threatening. Claudio glanced at her.

“Don’t worry, I won’t mess with your bitch, your troia, as long as she does the job she’s here to do. I can’t let that company sink.”

Ludovico’s eyes narrowed.

“Because it’s the perfect hideout for your illicit business.”

Claudio glanced in her direction. His gaze dipped to her breasts, further down to her bare legs, but he quickly lifted it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and even if I did, I don’t think this is a matter for discussion in front of her.” His grin chilled her to the bone. “Unless you want to kill her after.”

Ludovico slammed his fist on the table, spurring a set of Italian swear words. Claudio lifted his hands appeasing.

“Your temper never changes, Brother. Not a day goes by without me wondering what our father saw in you.” Claudio pulled back a chair and sat down. He hooked his arms on the back of it and gave her a cool glance. “Let’s get down to business. Ms. Evans, as my brother might have told you, we need to have one of our businesses excluded from the tax group it’s currently in so we may claim, er, a return on it.”

Gigi nodded. It was business time. No matter what else, she had a job to do.

“As we explained in my, er, ex company, that’s not entirely legal.”

“It makes no difference to us. Make it legal,” Ludovico snapped. “Your boss said it could be done.”

“I can’t change the law,” she said between gritted teeth.

“But you can make it work in our favor.”

Gigi raised her hands in exasperation. “I don’t think I can. As my boss expressed yesterday, I don’t have the knowledge for this kind of business.”

“You do.” Ludovico slammed his hand against the table. “I have followed your work closely, Ragazza. You specialized in large conglomerates, you’ve been working at that firm for over seven years and haven’t been promoted because some male asshole decided it so, but you’re more than capable. Now, put that brain of yours to use.”

Gigi stared at him. She’d expected many things from Ludovico but not for him to believe in her so passionately.

“I…” She searched for words, but they escaped her.

“You don’t need to say anything. Sit. Look at the paperwork. Ask us what you need. We know our corporation. The Ludovico family takes care of their own.”

Gigi nodded. Heat spread across her body. She understood he was referring to her.

****

“I think I found the loophole,” Gigi exclaimed, jumping up.

Ludovico leaned over her shoulder, his warmth making a shudder run through her. She glanced up at him and his eyes softened as their gazes met.

“I knew you could do it,” he whispered. His fingers brushed hers as he took the document from her hands. He scanned it quickly. “I think you could be right. This might be what we need. We’ll analyze it tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” She blinked and glanced up. The sun was setting. Claudio had left hours ago, alleging a headache. Where had the time gone?

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