Page 18 of Guarded King

Once I’ve finished my last piece of California roll, I wipe my fingers with my napkin and ask the question that’s been playing on my mind all morning. “What can you tell me about Roman? I did a little research before my interview, but there aren’t as many non-business-related articles about him as there are about his brothers.”

“Hmm.” She pinches a piece of rice between her fingers and pops it into her mouth. “He’s the tall, dark, and enigmatic type. Definitely a workaholic. Has been for years, even before he took over from his dad.”

“Did you know his dad?”

Sophie’s nose wrinkles. “Unfortunately. Let’s just say he wasn’t the nicest of human beings.”

“Clearly, if the insider trading is anything to go by.” A few of the articles I found during my research centered on the previous CEO’s arrest and subsequent eight-year conviction.

“It wasn’t just that.” She scans the surrounding tables, then leans in and lowers her voice. “He was a serial womanizer.”

My brows rise. “Really?”

“Rumor has it,” she says, edging in even closer, “that one of the requirements to work for him was that you had to look like a model.”

I pull a face. “Charming.”

“Uh-huh. He was a real creep. I think we were all glad when he got arrested.”

Doubt sparks to life in my chest. “His sons aren’t like that, are they?”

“Definitely not. Well…” She nibbles her bottom lip. “Cole and Tate were certainly with plenty of gorgeous women before they met their partners. But never in a sleazy way like their dad.”

Though I feel a little guilty for indulging in gossip, her omission piques my curiosity. After working for Geoff, I’d like to know what to expect.

“What about Roman?”

Sophie squints, tapping her finger against her chin. “I don’t think so. Lena’s not the kind of woman who would’ve put up with being hit on in the workplace. And I’ve never heard rumors about him and lots of women. As aloof as he is, he comes across more like a monk than a playboy. Then again, he married an employee, so I guess that means he doesn’t have an issue with workplace fraternization.”

My mind spins. “He’s married?” I don’t remember any mention of a wife in my research, and I swear he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring this morning.

“It was years ago, before I worked here. Apparently, they divorced after six months or so.” She presses her lips together. “I met her once when she stopped in a few years ago for some reason or other, and I really don’t know what he saw in her. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, of course, but she seemed like a grade A bi—” She straightens and scans our surroundings again. “You know what I mean.”

“Wow.” Six months? What ended it so quickly? Did he cheat on her? Marry her just because she was beautiful and then get bored? The thought that he might be the type of man to only care about what a woman looks like sends a faint flicker of disappointment through me.

Obviously, I barely know the guy, but I didn’t get that vibe from him. Not that it matters. As long as he doesn’t turn out to be like Geoff, I can handle him. “She wasn’t his assistant, was she?”

She shakes her head, and a thread of relief works its way through me.

“She was his dad’s.”

CHAPTER NINE

ROMAN

At three p.m. on the dot—exactly when I told Chloe I wanted to go through my schedule for the rest of the week—there’s a knock on my door.

“Come in.”

Intentionally or not, I haven’t had much contact with her today. Apart from running into her outside my office, that is.

When I pulled her against me.

The move wasn’t deliberate, but the feel of her curves is stuck in my head, nonetheless. Along with her scent. Fuck. I did not need to know that she smells like a combination of vanilla and honey.

Thankfully, my late lunch with Cole and Tate was the distraction I needed. After their unwelcome curiosity this morning, I’d braced myself for an inquisition at the restaurant, but neither brought it up. Though I’m sure if I’d lingered, they would have worked their way around to it. They both enjoy attempting to rile me up a little too much for my liking. But as usual, I didn’t stick around once I’d finished my meal.

More and more, I’ve been enjoying my brothers’ company. The three of us are closer now than we have been since we were kids. Despite the scandal of Dad’s arrest, it’s what drew us backtogether. Lately, though, both have shifted their focus. They’re just as likely to talk about their women and the imminent arrival of Cole’s daughter as they are to talk business. Those aren’t topics I have much interest in, and I have nothing to contribute, so, over their protests, I left them to it.

---