Page 26 of Fatal Bonds

“It might mean working weekends, late nights even.” Emiliano leans forward, his eyes intent, and a prickle of warning races across the back of my neck.

Why do I get the feeling he’s suggesting something without coming right out and saying it?

“Are you willing to put in the hours necessary? I only hire people who are dedicated to their work and ready to give it all they’ve got. This company thrives on hard work.”

“I understand,” I say, my pulse fluttering. “Yes, absolutely. I’m a hard worker.”

“Would you consider yourself teachable, Miss Stewart?” His tone is light and off-hand, as if he were asking something as inconsequential as whether or not I like doughnuts, and that sets off the alarm bells in my head.

My back stiffens, my stomach knotting at the desire hidden behind his neutral expression.Is heflirtingwith me?I need to wrap this up. Fast. “I’m a quick learner,” I confirm, and I glance around the office as I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “I’m sorry. Do you mind if I use your restroom?” I’m on my feet before he has time to answer, and I take a step toward the door.

Emiliano moves with me, pushing off the desk as he follows. “Of course, but I only have a few more questions,” he insists, narrowing the space between us.

My heart pounds in my throat as I force my body language to remain casual. “Oh, sure.”

He takes a long step forward, closing the distance, and my breath catches as his fingers capture my chin. “I have to admit, you’re a beautiful woman, Miss Stewart, and I would enjoy getting to know you better. So tell me, what would you be willing to do to earn this internship?”

With every step back I take, Emiliano moves closer, following me across the room. Hot disgust surges up from my stomach, and I swallow the bile burning in my throat as I fight the urge to run.

“Excuse me?” I gasp.

His eyes flick down to my lips, and ice floods my veins as his mouth curls into a smug grin. “I’ll give it to you here and now if you’d get on your knees for me,” he purrs.

“I think you’ve got the wrong impression of me,” I say, moving back more urgently.

“Have I? Don’t be shy, Bethany. It’s perfectly natural to be attracted to a man in my position. I have wealth, power, I can offer you stability. There’s nothing wrong with giving me what I want in exchange for the job you’re after.”

You sick fuck.I wonder how many women he’s put in this position or if I’m the lucky one.

“Mr. Costanzo.” I try to make my voice sharp to get a hold on the situation, but the quaver in it undermines my attempt, and I gasp as my back finds a wall unexpectedly.

“Hmm, I like the way you say my name,” he murmurs, and his fingers leave my jaw as he cages me against the wall with his arms. The mask of composure is gone as his eyes rake hungrily down my throat and chest to the buttons of my dress shirt. “Why don’t you show me what you’re hiding under there?” he suggests.

My arms tingles numbly as it feels like I somehow lift out of my body, and I watch, frozen, as he hooks a finger around the top two buttons and flicks his wrist, opening my blouse and exposing my bra in one fluid movement.

Fuck. The wire.

“Mm, you’ll do nicely,” he hums approvingly.

Emiliano must not see it right away. Relief rushes out through my veins, but I’m hardly in a good spot right now.

“So, what’ll it be, Miss Stewart?” he asks, his eyes dark with desire. “The job is yours if you want it. All you have to do is?—”

A muffled argument seeps through the frosted glass door of his office, cutting him off.

It’s followed by a shrill protest growing louder—closer. “Hey, you can’t go in there!”

The French doors burst open, slamming against the wall hard enough I’m surprised the panes don’t shatter, and my pulse stutters at the look on Maks’s face. His sharp blue eyes take less than a second to find me, and a snarl rips from his throat as his lips curl in fury.

“Get your hands off her, you perverted piece of shit,” he growls, closing the distance between us in three long strides. Then his hand is clamped around Emiliano’s throat, and he shoves the older man back, momentarily lifting him off his feet before he slams him against the wall beside me.

Sharp breaths rush from me as it feels like my soul snaps back into my body, bringing me to life again. Staring in shock and horror, I turn to watch the violence unfold as Emiliano chokes, his fingers scrabbling to relieve the pressure around his throat. A harsh retching sound issues from his lips, and his face turns a dangerous shade of eggplant as Maks bears his teeth and lifts Emiliano until his toes are dangling inches above the floor.

“I should rip your heart out and feed it to you right now, you animal.”

To my right, the receptionist gasps, and before I can stop her, she’s rushing back out into the hall, calling for security.

“Shit,” I hiss under my breath. “Maks, we need to go.”

---