Ruthless (The Calvettis of New York 2)

She’s attractive, willing, and just what I need to take the edge off.

I thumb out a reply.

Barrett: Dinner was enjoyable. I’ll skip the tour. Take care.

I delete her number and drop my phone back in my pocket.

I may regret turning her down, but I know another way to take the edge off.

Work. It’s never failed me. I walk to the elevators, press the call button, and make a mental list of everything I want Isabella to do for me tomorrow starting with coming to work an hour early.

Chapter 10

Bella

I glance down at my phone when it buzzes.

A text message pops up on the screen.

Unknown: Be at the office tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp.

Seriously? Did Barrett just text me? He knows I’m on a date.

I smile across the table at Dale. “I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s a work matter. I can handle it with just a couple of text messages.”

He nods. “I’m enjoying my dinner. Take all the time you need.”

I type out a response.

Bella: You must have texted the wrong number. Have a nice night!

Unknown: I didn’t text the wrong number. This is your boss.

I roll my eyes and bite back a laugh.

Bella: Duke? Thank God it’s you. I miss you like crazy.

Unknown: Not Duke. Barrett. I need you at the office at 8.

Bella: My contract says I start work at 9. I’ll see you then.

I place my phone on the table, but it buzzes almost instantly with a reply.

Unknown: Your new contract states that you work the hours I request.

All my common sense disappeared when I saw the six-figure salary and perks. I know better than to sign a contract I haven’t read over carefully.

Barrett sends another text before I can respond to the last one.

Unknown: I’ll see you at 8. How’s Donini’s?

I glance at the half-eaten cheeseburger and the handful of fries left on my plate.

I couldn’t go to Donini’s. If I ever set foot in that restaurant, I’d have to put myself up for adoption.

No member of Marti’s family eats Italian food anywhere but at Calvetti’s. That’s an unspoken rule that I will never break. I convinced Dale that I was in the mood for a burger, so he brought me to this cowboy themed restaurant in the heart of Times Square.

I add my new boss’s name and number to my contact list before I type out a response.