Page 81 of Wicked Fantasies

“Thank you.” Though she’d spoken them in response to his comment, she realized she was thanking him for much more than that. “I have to go. Early day tomorrow.”

He nodded. “Me too. Good night, Francesca.”

She gave him another smile. “Good night, stranger.”

As she walked back into the bar, her thoughts whirled over the evening and her actions. In her professional life, she was used to taking what she wanted, fighting to achieve every goal she’d ever set for herself. Tonight was the first time she’d done the same for her personal life.

“Hey, Joe.” She waved to get the bartender’s attention.

“Leaving?”

She nodded as he bent down to retrieve her briefcase, handing it to her.

“Happy Birthday, Francesca.”

Chapter Two

“What the hell are you doing?” Reed wanted to wince at his opening line. He’d rehearsed his speech to his uncle all evening. After watching Francesca leave, he’d gone back into the bar and had another beer, reliving the hottest sexual experience of his life over and over, until he realized the night wasn’t getting any younger. The liaison in the alley had worked the trick—soothing the rough edges, and he’d actually felt calm. Ready to confront his uncle without anger, without emotion.

That feeling lasted ten minutes into the workday. Then he learned his uncle had fired his marketing partner, replacing the man without his knowledge or input, and his head had nearly exploded off his shoulders.

“I’m drinking coffee, like I do every morning. What the hell are you doing?” His uncle’s condescending tone caused his vision to turn a cloudy red.

Brian had taken him under his wing the day Reed had graduated top of his class in high school. He’d pulled him aside at his graduation party and announced he was paying Reed’s way through college. Told him he’d been accepted to NYU’s School of Business and after he earned his degree, he’d be working off the school loan at his uncle’s successful marketing company, The Donovan Group.

It was still amazing to Reed that he’d never blinked twice at his uncle’s offer, never balked at his controlling gesture. Mainly because it felt as if his uncle had looked into his heart and read his dreams.

Now, for the first time ever, he was starting to reconsider that dream.

“You fired Mitchell? Why the fuck would you do that?”

Brian took a sip of his coffee, moving at a leisurely pace, while Reed paced before his desk, with his fists clenched.

“The man was inept. He cost the company two large bids. I’m sure you’re aware of that.”

Reed grinned, though there was no humor behind the smile. “What Iknowis that we would have won those accounts if you hadn’t sent me off to London to do your dirty work. I should have been here.”

“Maybe.”

His uncle’s softly spoken comment cut through him like a knife. “No. No maybe. I would have landed those bids. Those clients would be ours.”

Brian leaned back in his chair, assuming a position Reed was all too familiar with. His uncle’s silent regard sent his hackles up. Reed was a damn good marketing exec. He knew it, knew his stuff. He knew how to sell products and how to sell his uncle’s company to clients. The fact his uncle had seen fit to put his true talents aside while thrusting him in such a menial job rubbed against the grain—and pissed him off.

“I’m going to ask you one more time. Why did you send me to London, Brian? I’m not a goddamned office manager and you know it.”

Brian’s eyes narrowed for just a second, and Reed knew his words had hit their mark. Brian never felt beholden to explain his reasoning to anyone. Never.

Unfortunately, rather than respond to his hostile words, his uncle recovered almost immediately, and Reed knew he’d never get an answer.

“I needed your skills in London. It’s as simple as that.”

“You needed my skills here. I think those lost bids should prove that to you.” Reed took a deep breath, feeling certain he had scored a point. There was no way his uncle could deny the fact he’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“In your absence, it was Mitchell’s job to hold down the fort, represent this company. He failed.”

“Mitchell’s a good marketing man.” Reed wasn’t sure why he felt compelled to stand up for his former partner. They’d never exactly been friends, but they’d worked together amicably enough.

Brian shook his head. “Mitchell was a doormat. He was content to hover in the background, to let you do all the work. He was just lazy and stupid enough to kowtow to your demanding nature. I don’t employ that sort at The Donovan Group. I need people who can stand on their own two feet, think for themselves.”

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