Prologue

Ellie Morrison walked into the board meeting with confidence and attitude. She’d landed this job because she was creative, thought out of the box, and loved people. Her boss, Ernest, was not easy to please. But when most rubbed him the wrong way, Ellie seemed to say and do exactly what he expected from a loyal, capable employee.

She still felt self-conscious when men checked her out or tried to flirt, and especially in the workplace. Her therapist, Kate Rutherford, told her it would take time for that anxiety to ease. It had been four months since Paul assaulted her, and a year and six months since she lost her uncle Brian, her only relative, in a robbery gone badly.

She swallowed hard, tapped the stack of manila folders filled with the documents she’d worked on for weeks just for this meeting today.

“Gentlemen, it brings me great pleasure to present to you today, our ideas for the launch of your new state-of-the-art restaurant franchise.” She started to hand out the folders, and the seven men watched her, nodded, and took the folders. They opened them immediately, and she saw the instant surprise and, she hoped, excitement in their eyes.

“Miss Morrison, these are quite extraordinary ideas,” Luke Phillips said. He was Renaldo Sentinel’s right-hand man, his personal assistant, and his bodyguard. Renaldo was an entrepreneur, a multimillionaire with hands in many different businesses including imports and exports. He had wanted to incorporate some specific things that portrayed his personal love, in each restaurant. It hadn’t been easy to come up with an idea that would still be appealing to the eye and not so overdone with

artwork.

“Well, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Sentinel wanted to incorporate some Venetian artwork into the restaurants. There are many bold colors, very detailed images that could be used throughout the restaurants without being overpowering. These are just preliminary ideas, but I am certain we can find exactly what Mr. Sentinel is looking for,” she stated.

Renaldo Sentinel watched her intently. He was a very attractive man, with black slicked-back hair, and deep gray eyes. He was definitely an eye-catcher, and boy did he know it. In the short period of time she had known him, she had seen him with five different women. It was obvious that the bachelor was a ladies’ man.

“I’m not certain this is what Renaldo is looking for,” Luke added.

“Luke, I think that Ellie has done a wonderful job. I like the ideas, but I’m not certain on the preliminary architectural designs. Venetian art can be incorporated in numerous ways. However, I do prefer the more eye-catching images. Scenes of people in action, the gondolas, the masks and brilliant gold color. Perhaps it would serve you well, Ellie, to accompany me to Tratorra’s. This Saturday, seven o’clock good for you? I can have my driver pick you up.”

She wasn’t completely shocked. She was used to Mr. Sentinel’s controlling ways. But she wasn’t going to fall into instant obedience. After all, she didn’t want him thinking that she could be his next fling. So she followed her gut.

“I’ll have to check my schedule. I’ll call Luke later today. Now how about we get back to the files, and discuss the numbers. I believe they will be more than satisfactory and most importantly below your budget limit. That being said, we should still have room for any potential cosmetic changes.”

Renaldo stared at her, and Luke, well, he just seemed annoyed.

“We can discuss it over dinner, Saturday. I’ll have my people look over the contracts and I’ll sign them then so we can get moving on construction and so forth,” he said, standing up, ending the meeting minutes after it only got started.

She felt as if the wind was knocked out of her and one look at her boss and she saw that he was just as shocked.

“Don’t you have more questions?” Ernest Westerly, asked, rising so he could shake Renaldo’s hand good-bye.

Renaldo smiled and looked at Ellie. “If I have any questions, I’m certain that Ellie will be able to answer them. I must go now. I have another meeting across town in thirty minutes.” He left the room with his entourage, leaving Ellie, Ernest, and three other employees standing there in shock.

“That man has got a set on him,” Cecile stated with an attitude as she grabbed her laptop and binder before heading out of the room.

“Why didn’t you accept his invite to dinner, Ellie? A lot is riding on this contract. Three million dollars,” Ernest stated.

She looked at him as she gathered up her stuff. “Earnest, need I remind you that I’m not a perk to doing business with this firm.”

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