Only You (Sweet Torment 2)

He stepped closer and I could smell his cologne, which was dry and suffocating and nothing like Leo’s.

“Keep my offer in mind, Miss Levine. I’d hate for these nasty rumors to spread further. Be a shame for you to have to find yet another career path. Especially when the elite are so closely knit. I imagine you wouldn’t find much.”

My heart was ready to burst. Colin was right. At the gala were several big players on Wall Street. Investors. Bankers. The rich and powerful flocked together to maintain common interests, like stock—stock in shipping being one.

Everyone knew of Leo. While I was banking on a stellar letter of recommendation from him being a good thing, no one would take me seriously or trust me, let alone hire me, if a rumor got out that I sleep with my bosses.

Fear would get me nowhere. Colin obviously had a hand to play and right now, I wasn’t ready to fold. I had a couple more months to get through. I just needed Colin and his asshole glare kept in check.

“If your goal is to ruin me, you can save your breath. There is no proof to any of your allegations. I resigned from my old job. You watch the news, and obviously I’m not a part of the scandal.” I swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t hear the slight tremor in my voice. “As of now, I work for Mr. Savas and am doing a fine enough job to draw your attention, as well as others. But attempting to stick me with a reputation that is unfounded will only reflect poorly on you.”

He smirked. “So you don’t fuck your bosses then? Not even Leo?”

My face hardened. I wasn’t a liar. I generally stuck to the truth by omitting certain parts or spinning them in my favor.

“Your crude language and questions are not only none of your business, but highly unprofessional.”

“As unprofessional as you kissing Savas at the gala?”

The blood left my face.

“Oh yeah, I saw,” Colin said with a raised brow and victorious smile. “And I’m not out to ruin you, Miss Levine. I just think we could mutually benefit from each other in the future is all. Nothing crude, just a friendly conversation.”

Friendly my ass. Colin Davis definitely had an angle. And whatever scheme he was plotting, clearly I was a pawn in it.

“I came to inform you that Mr. Savas has to cancel his meeting with you today.”

Colin’s face lit with fury. “Are you fucking kidding me? We had—”

“I’m aware of what you had and what it is you’re going for.” That caught his attention and a dose of power surged through me. “Mr. Savas sends his regrets that he hasn’t had the time to look over your proposed terms for the sublet of his New York slip.”

Colin’s face tensed a little, obviously surprised I knew as much as I did about his little play to utilize one of Savas’s slips.

“I’ll be in touch to reschedule a meeting once Mr. Savas has gone over your proposal.”

When his upper lip sneered a little, I knew I was dancing around a dangerous game. Men and their pride were treacherous things. Not to mention, they had no problem making threats, veiled or other

wise.

I didn’t let him speak, because there was nothing more to say. The pissy silence extended long enough for us to both understand one thing.

We each had end goals.

And while I demonstrated that I held enough information about the slip to bluff Colin into thinking I had the ear of Leo, that staying on my good side would be wise for his interests, I hoped it’d also keep his nasty ideas at bay.

I opened the door and walked out.

“Have a good day, Mr. Davis.”

Chapter Fourteen

It had been a long day and my feet ached so badly I almost took my heels off and considered walking into Leo’s office barefoot. But thinking better of it, I pushed the door open, ready to discuss the events of the day. I hadn’t seen much of him since this morning.

“How was your day?” Leo said, looking up from his computer and focusing all his attention on me. I wanted to double-check my hair. It was hour fourteen and I was exhausted, probably looked it. But Leo? Effortlessly handsome. The only giveaway to the day’s length was the five o’clock shadow that only made his tan skin glow and his blue eyes sparkle.

“Everything ran smoothly. I adjusted your schedule and moved all your meetings from today to later in the week.”

“Thank you.”