Page 73 of Beautiful Desire

“Why is Paul Howard still an employee at this company?”

A prolonged silence hangs between us, and from that alone, I already know Miller has something to do with this. I decide not to give him any time to try to scramble some poor-ass story together.

“He’s fired. Gone. Effective immediately,” I bark down the phone.

“You can’t do—” Miller starts to shout through the phone.

Cutting him off, I remind him, “Excuse me, but you seem to forgetIam now the majority shareholder of this company. What I say goes. Not that I need to explain my decision to you, but this asshole hasthreesexual harassment cases against him. He’s gone.”

With that, I hang up, not allowing him any opportunity to say another word.

Opening my emails, I type one to Paul and HR, explainingMr.Howard’scontract has been terminated and that he may not use the company for a job reference in the future.

Once the email is sent, I close down the computer, tidy away the paperwork, and put on my jacket, heading for the elevator. Pressing the call button, I pull out my phone sending, Bill a text to let him know I’m ready to go. The elevator doors open, and a young girl – I assume in her late teens or early twenties – emerges with a cleaning cart.

“Sorry, sir,” she says in a quiet voice with a heavy Spanish accent.

I stand aside, allowing her to exit the elevator.

“Goodnight,” I say, giving her a tight-lipped smile as I step into the elevator.

Keeping her head down, she replies again in a quiet voice.

“Goodnight, sir,” she says before scurrying away with her cleaning cart in tow.

It’s been a long day, but I still feel full of energy. I hate this feeling and I know it’ll be at least another few hours before I’ll get any sleep. I plan on doing a late night workout to burn off some of this energy, eat whatever my chef left for dinner, and maybe have a little nightcap before bed. After this day, I sure as hell need it.

Stepping out of the elevator, I walk over to the security desk, where I see Sean and another man – this one slightly shorter than him, but both equally fit. Sean’s face seems to turn a rather pale color as I approach.

“Gentlemen, I just wanted to let you know that Paul Howard is no longer an employee at this company, effective immediately. If he arrives here tomorrow morning, he is to be escorted off the premises. Do I make myself clear?”

The look on Sean’s face morphs into one of amazement and perhaps a little joy.

“Of course, Mr. Lombardi,” they reply in unison.

“She’ll appreciate that,” Sean shouts as I turn, walking out of the foyer and then jump into my waiting car outside.

I sure hope so, Sean. I sure hope so.

CHAPTER22

DOM

10 Months Ago – Italy

Dropping my head back,I close my eyes, allowing the piping-hot water to wash over my tired and aching muscles. Sleep isn’t exactly plentiful around here, and I know it’s going to be another long, hellish day. Those seem to be run of the mill since I arrived here just under two months ago.

The morning after Fabi and Gia’s wedding, when I picked up my cell and saw Enrico’s name on the screen, my stomach almost fell out of my ass. I knew in my gut it was bad. He wouldn’t have called so early in the morning if it was good news. Things had been too good for too long.

Grabbing some shampoo, I lather it up and work it into my hair before rinsing it out, thinking back to that morning and the memories of the night before spent with Elle. I’ve thought about her every day since the very first time I laid eyes on her eight months ago at Peter and Christine’s wedding.

She looked like an angel, sent down to tempt every man on this Earth. The way her hair flowed freely down her back, how that silky green dress clung to every curve, and the sound of her heavenly laugh. I knew right then I had to get to know her.

My cock twitches to life as I remember how beautiful she looked that day, how her eyes twinkled and the blush that creeped across her face the first time we locked eyes.

When I walked out of her bedroom that morning, I knew it was going to be the biggest mistake of my life, but I also knew I couldn’t stay there any longer. I couldn’t risk putting her in danger any more than I already had.

A loud banging on the door ruins any chance of release my dick might have been hoping for. Not much alone time in this godforsaken place.

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