Italian Escape with the CEO

Without meeting his gaze she slipped on her sunglasses and headed for the door.

Two weeks later

Liam scrolled down his inbox, each email sending his anger up a notch.

Given the report in the financial press I have concerns...

As a result of the uncertainties facing your firm...

Hi, Liam. I just wanted to check in, mate. See if you’re OK. I’m sorry to hear you haven’t been well. Grief over the loss of a loved one is so hard and it’s fine if you need some time off.

Anger slammed him. ‘Uncertainties’ and ‘time off’, his backside. Over the past two weeks AJ’s smear campaign had escalated, cast a tightening net of doubt over Rourke Securities by targeting its CEO. He’d done all the sensible things so far, looked at the legal route, decided not to react as that might give credence to the rumours. But enough was enough.

He snagged his jacket from the back of his chair and left the office and an hour later he pushed through the glass revolving door that led to the plush lobby of AJ Security, headed towards the reception area and smiled his friendliest smile.

‘Good afternoon. I was wondering if you could help me.’ He pulled out his army credentials and flashed them at the receptionist. ‘I’m a fellow officer of AJ’s—we trained together at Sandhurst—could I run up and surprise him?’

The receptionist looked doubtful. ‘I’m only a temp here. I’m not sure...’

Another smile. ‘I promise he won’t mind. But just in case I’ll tell him you tried to stop me. Would that work?’

‘Um...’ Before the temp could say anything Liam headed purposefully for the lift, saw the temp press a button on the phone and start to talk. He hopped out at the first floor and glanced round the open-plan office, then strode purposefully through the line of desks until he spotted a door with AJ’s name plate, guarded by a PA. The blond man rose to his feet. ‘Excuse me, sir. I need you to stop right there.’

‘Not happening.’ Liam knew he needed to move fast. ‘I just want a quick word with AJ.’

‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible.’

‘We’ll see.’

Before the man could do anything Liam vaulted over the desk and in seconds had the PA’s hands behind his back. ‘I’m sorry about this and I really don’t want to hurt you. I’ll be a few minutes, that’s all.’

The man nodded and stood and watched as Liam released him and headed for the office door, pushed it open and entered. He turned and stood with his back against it, estimating he had a few minutes at best before security guards burst in.

‘Hey, AJ.’

AJ’s eyes were wide and satisfaction slid through Liam as he saw fear flash in their depths. ‘What do you want, Rourke?’

‘Call off your guards and I’ll tell you. Or...’ and now Liam stepped forward ‘...let’s do this the old-fashioned way and see who wins. It didn’t take me that long last time to kick your butt.’ He eyed the other man with contempt. ‘And you were in better shape then. So make your choice.’

AJ picked the phone up. ‘It’s all right, guys. I’ve got this.’

‘Good choice. I’m here to say back off.’

‘Back off what?’ The upper-class drawl grated on his nerves but Liam kept a smile on his face.

‘Back off my clients and my business.’

Now AJ spread his arms in a gesture of innocence. ‘I’m not doing anything, Rourke. If I have a bit of chat with my potential clients about your very understandable grief over your wife’s tragic death, that’s my prerogative.’

‘Leave my wife out of this.’ Rage threatened and he tamped it down into a useable commodity. Took a step forward, fists clenched, saw panic cross AJ’s face as he pushed his chair backwards.

‘Sorry. Sorry.’ Now he pressed a button under his desk. ‘But the Beaumont contract will be mine. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.’

‘Watch me, Andrew, just watch me. You’re a coward who relies on Daddy’s money and position. Always were, always will be. Much as I’d love to wipe that smirk off your face, I’m not going to. This time let’s finish it in the business ring. The result will be the same.’

Liam turned and exited, walked back to the lift, descended and left through the revolving door. Adrenalin surged through his body and he unclenched his fists. There was no way he would let AJ Mason win this and take Rourke Securities down.

Whatever it took, Liam would win. As he climbed into his car his mind raced through options. Legal and IT routes were all very well but the most important part of his strategy was to show Ray Beaumont and everyone else out there that Liam Rourke was on the top of his game, in control and capable. He needed to combat, not only AJ’s accusations, but also the force of his connections and lifestyle, which would impress and bedazzle Ray Beaumont and his wife.