Page 21 of Hired By the Consigliere

“I’ll have someone bring you back to pick it up once we’re done.”

“That seems like a lot of unnecessary work when I could just drive it now.”

“But I want you in the car with me.”

I let out an overly dramatic sigh. “Fine. You’re the boss.”

“And don’t you forget it.” Enzo smirked before hooking his arm around my waist. “Now come on or we’re going to be late.”

After a tour of Enzo's office, I realized just how out of my league working there was going to be. I had a little money left over from that first night with Enzo, so I spent the afternoon shopping at discount stores for something professional thatlookedexpensive within my budget.

I managed to find a couple of outfits that I would be able to mix and match to make a few different outfits, at least until the next paycheck came in. I hated spending money on non-essentials, but I told myself that the clothes were an investment.

After my shopping trip, I went home to get ready for a night out.

Enzo picked me up for our date promptly at seven o'clock and we rode in comfortable silence for most of the short drive.

We busied ourselves with idle small talk while we waited for the server to bring our meal since we didn't want him to overhear our discussion.

I watched Enzo as he took a sip of the wine and gave a nod to the waiter before he filled both of our glasses.

I was relieved that I wouldn't be working for Delphine any longer. She’d clearly had little faith in me because after a closer look at the forms she had me sign, I realized that they were only for one job, but I wasn’t bitter about it. I was grateful since the situation with Enzo was much better. Yes, I slept with Enzo for money, but I wasn't sure if I could sleep with a different man every night. It just felt wrong. Besides, being around Enzo was not unpleasant.

"Please try the wine. Make sure you like it." Enzo nodded toward my glass, and I took a sip, humming with delight at the rich, velvety flavor.

“I thought you might like it." He smiled. "So, how was your afternoon after you left the office?”

“It was good. I went shopping for a couple of new outfits for when I start working.” I blushed. “I realized after the tour that my clothes wouldn’t exactly fit in there.”

“I can help with that. I’m sure we can work out a clothing allowance of some sort.”

“Oh, no. Please. You’ve done more than enough already.”

The server brought out our meal and quickly excused himself, leaving us in the privacy of the corner table.

Enzo lowered his voice and leaned in slightly. “You are the one doing me a favor by taking on such an outrageous job and I promise that you will be compensated fairly.”

“I have no doubt. You have already shown your generosity after our firstdate.”

“That tip was more like a bribe to get you to agree to the unusual arrangement.”

“Well, it worked,” I said around a bite of pasta.

“And I’m very glad that it did.”

“Me too.” I smiled up at him and our eyes locked for an intense moment that made my pulse quicken, before he broke away, clearing his throat, and taking a drink from his glass.

“Anyway, I prepared the official agreement with my lawyer this afternoon if you’d like to read over it.”

“Sure.”

“I had him put things in the easiest terms possible. I want this to be straightforward without the complications of legal jargon and loopholes. Of course, we can discuss things and I’m open to negotiations.”

Enzo reached into the inside of his suit and pulled out a thin stack of papers.

I looked over the documents while I ate, glancing up every so often as I felt his eyes on me.

“This part here...” I looked up to him, pointing at a line near the end of the agreement. “The dissolution of our arrangement. It will be in approximately two months and must be in a way that does not paint you in a negative light. Does that mean that we will need to make the break-up look like it is my fault?”

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