Ruthless (The Calvettis of New York 2)

“Mark my words, Bella.” He points a finger at me. “There was some fine print in that contract you signed that you didn’t bother to read. I, for one, can’t wait to find out what it is.”

***

I get back to my desk shortly after one to find Duke’s office door closed.

I breathe a sigh of relief. As soon as it opens it, I’ll ask my boss about the new contract.

Max planted seeds of doubt in my mind.

I know I’m great at my job. Duke has told me often that I’m irreplaceable. It makes perfect sense that he’d want to keep me here at Garent Industries.

What doesn’t make sense is that I signed a contract six months ago that guaranteed I’d remain in my position for a full year.

I wasn’t going anywhere. I couldn’t go anywhere without facing the board of Garent to plead my case to leave the company.

Duke and Ivan didn’t have to give me a raise, so why did they?

The phone on my desk rings. The flashing red light that accompanies the sound is a sure sign that Duke needs something from me.

I debate opening his door to see what it is, but I pick up the call instead.

“Hi, Duke,” I say cheerily. “What do you need?”

“A moment of your time, Ms. Calvetti.”

It takes my brain a few seconds to catch up to what’s going on. That’s not Duke’s voice. This voice is too deep and rough. It’s too something…

“Who is this?” I question.

“Come into my office, Ms. Calvetti.”

What the hell is going on?

I glance down at the phone. I was sure that the call was coming from inside Duke’s office, but if that were true, I’d be talking to my boss.

“Who are you, and where is your office?” I ask as politely as I can.

“My office is ten feet from where you’re standing,” he snaps.

I spin to face Duke’s door. “You’re in Duke’s office?”

“Ms. Calvetti.” His tone lowers. “Get in here now.”

Frustrated, I slam the phone down, stalk across the floor, and swing open Duke’s door.

I shake my head twice when I see the man standing in the middle of my boss’s office.

“What the hell?” I mutter under my breath.

He smirks. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

There’s no way this is real.

It’s him.

The gorgeous man less than two feet away from me is the same man I mistakenly thought was Dale on Friday night.

I thought I’d never see him again.