Page 3 of Claimed By the Boss

His father would have runhis company into the ground, just as he had the main Williams Corporation.Scandal after scandal followed his parents, while nothing but good press andamazing decisions followed his. He learned from his grandfather, who had alreadyfigured out his son was going to be a disaster. Also, Gabriel had other ideas,and with his grandfather’s investment, had made a name for himself. That moneybuilt the very foundation of Gabriel Enterprises. He was proud of what he hadachieved.

Without Trudy, his parentshad nearly taken it all away, by that very claim and investment his grandfathermade. It would seem his grandfather knew it would come, which is why he alsohired Trudy. That was the one condition his grandfather had. No matter what hedid, he would hire the PA who would stay with him indefinitely. That was TrudyBurns. From what he could tell, his grandfather had a soft spot for the youngwoman, who once worked for him. She had his back, and if it wasn’t for thesupporting documents given to her, some of his company would already be long gone.

His grandfather had wavedall rights, all shares, everything. The startup money had been a gift, to whichall relevant finance had been paid, much to his parents’ annoyance. Gabriel wasin the clear. His parents had no claim on his company.

He would have doneanything to have his grandfather for one more day. He knew what the old manwould say. It was high time for him to find a woman to settle down with, havekids. To enjoy the fruits of his many years of hard work.

Gabriel didn’t settledown. He played, hard. No woman was allowed to think long term with him. Heenjoyed playing with them, and they got plenty out of the arrangements he made.

Now, as he waited for Norato remove her skirt, he felt that ache build in his gut. From the moment he’dseen her, he had known she was different, and after everything he learned abouther, he was right. This woman was a fighter, or as much of a fighter as onecould be during a coma. He knew her own family had taken from her and left herass on the streets, while they lived in her home and off her income.

“You really don’t have todo any of this,” she said.

“I insist.” He was morethan happy to help her.

This interaction had beenbuilding, but he wasn’t about to tell her he moved right into position when he sawthe women act that way. He’d used their bullying to his advantage, and weeks offiguring out how to get into this woman’s world had finally opened up.

Trudy knocked on the doorand he turned to offer her a smile. His PA knew all about his interest, and hesaw the smirk on her face. It was why Nora was their now permanent maildelivery person within Building C. It was his only chance to see her, withouther knowing she was being watched. She was stunning.

“I have what you need, sir,”she said.

When they were alone, hewas back to being Gabriel. In the company of anyone else, he was the boss.

“Thank you, Trudy,” hesaid.

She stepped in and heldout the package of clothes. “Are you okay, Nora?” Trudy asked.

He watched as Nora offeredher a smile.

“Yeah, I spilled mycoffee.”

“She was tripped,” hesaid.

“Tripped?” Trudy asked.

“I’m sure it was amistake.”

“I fucking doubt it. Thatbitch Clarice,” he said.

Trudy knew exactly who hetalked about. Nora didn’t know that Clarice and every one of her friends hadattempted to pay him a visit. They wanted him to know they were available.Trudy was there to intervene. They were already treading on thin ice, and nowhe’d fired them.

They had threatened sexualharassment, but seeing as that trick had already been played a time or two, heknew how to protect himself, and he did. He had no doubt Clarice and herfriends would attempt a settlement.

Anger flooded him thinkingabout what they did to Nora, and they should be lucky he had only fired them.He was tempted to destroy their lives and make them completely unemployable.They should be glad he was too distracted by Nora to deal with them.

“It was time for her toleave. The complaints about her work were starting to mount. It was only amatter of weeks before she would be fired.” Trudy tutted. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes, I’m fine. Thankyou.”

So polite.

That was what he didn’tget. Life had dealt Nora a few hard knocks. Losing both of her parents at ayoung age, her home, her college, her future stolen from her by her aunt anduncle. She had to live on the streets, and from the deep background check he haddone on her, that hadn’t been a picnic. She helped young girls get off thestreets, and a few boys as well.

Some of her paycheck wentto help people who were trying to make a life for themselves. She volunteeredat a local homeless shelter every Sunday. This woman, by all accounts, soundedlike a saint.

Yet, as he looked into hereyes and saw a hint of darkness, he also felt the teasing of the light. She hadnot let what happened to her cloud her judgment. She hadn’t gotten cold. Ithadn’t extinguished that light from her eyes. She was strong.

“Thank you, Trudy.”

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