“I’m not talking about Duke’s furniture.” She stomps a foot. “I’m going to call Ivan Garent. You’ve wandered into the wrong office, Mr. Adder. I’ll find out where you’re supposed to be.”
“Adler,” I correct her. “And I’m exactly where I need to be.”
“We’ll see.” She points her index finger at me. “Don’t touch anything until I come back.”
I round the desk and take a seat in the chair, or throne.
Whatever the fuck it is, it’s uncomfortable.
Watching her march out of my office stirs my cock.
Her ass is utter perfection in that tight red dress she’s wearing. I shake away that thought because business mixed with pleasure is a recipe for career disaster.
I hear the distant sound of Isabella’s voice as she places a call. I assume Ivan is on the receiving end of that.
I’ll give her a moment to accept that this is her new reality. Once that happens, Ms. Calvetti is going to realize that for the next twelve months, she works for me.
Whether she likes it or not.
***
Isabella has more influence than I expected.
Her call to Ivan Garent brought him rushing up from the floor below us.
I was under the impression that he was in a meeting and couldn’t be disturbed.
“Tell Mr. Adger that he doesn’t belong in here.” Isabella stands in the doorway of my office with Ivan by her side. “He wants me to have all of Duke’s furniture removed. I can’t do that.”
“Adler,” I correct her again.
She shakes her head as if she doesn’t give a fuck about the correct pronunciation of my surname.
Ivan squints at her. “Barrett is taking over for Duke.”
She recoils with a step back, bumping her curvy ass against the doorjamb.
Her gaze is pinned to Ivan’s face. “Why?”
I learned about Duke on Saturday morning when Ivan called me and offered up the job of CEO of Garent Industries. I just happened to be in New York City for the weekend visiting my oldest friend, and making a new redheaded friend.
I’ve been spinning my wheels as the COO in Chicago for the past five years.
This isn’t how I anticipated landing the job, but I wasn’t about to turn it down. Ivan needs me to run the ship, so I’m moving to Manhattan to take on the task.
“Let’s talk outside.” Ivan gestures toward Isabella’s desk. “Give us a minute, Barrett.”
I nod.
There are no words. He held his composure through our discussion about his son. I feel for the man. I feel for Duke too, but I have a company to run and the sooner that Ms. Calvetti accepts that I’m her boss, the better.
Chapter 8
Bella
I don’t say a word as Ivan explains what happened to Duke on Friday night after he left the office.
I take in everything he says, and the emotion that he can’t contain. When he finally takes a breath, I step closer. I let him gather me into his arms because he needs it. I need it too.