It’s after midnight when I’m woken by the buzz of my cell sliding across my nightstand. I reach out to it, fuzzy from fatigue and blurry eyed, disorientated.

“Emma Anderson.” I breathe huskily without opening my eyes. I’m on auto pilot.

“Where are you?” That bark has me sit up with a start.

Crap. Jake!

He sounds pissed and I’m too frazzled with sleep for this, shocked awake with his surprise contact.

“New York,” I gulp, suddenly reeling by the fact he’s finally calling me.

Is he back on the boat?

I get a tinge of regret at leaving.

“You’re at your apartment?” he’s grumpy and coldly distant.

“Yes.” Is the only reply I can give; I sound so vulnerable and young it annoys me. There’s a silence and a tension crackling on the line. I rub my eyes in a bid to feel less zombie like, pinch my cheek to waken me up more, hands trembling.

“You cut your vacation short?” he starts, his voice softer, but still tinged with irritation.

“Yes … I wasn’t in the mood for any more surf and sun, Mr. Carrero.” I hope he hears the sarcasm in my voice. Did he really think I would stay out there without him and hang out with his friends for a full two weeks? Again, another agonizing silence.

“Good, because we need to be back at it … The Hunter merger has encountered issues. I need you at the office tomorrow.” He’s in business Carrero mode, all affection and humor devoid.

“Will you be there?” I’m trying to sound as cool as him, but that rising warmth of hope lift its head and I scold it back down.

Get a grip, Emma, stop being pathetic.

“No … I’m still elsewhere … You can handle things for a couple of days.” A curt response and I want to cry.

childish and weak … He’s caught me off guard. I’m half asleep and crumbling at the way he’s being, still aching for some of

whatever he left for, is still in his head, that despite

raises a haughty head and pushes feeble

and Moody, Yes, sure, I shall jump, because

sarcastically, knowing that

intend to.” It’s raspy and almost threatening, but it has the desired effect and I’m glad he hangs up before the sob surfaces. The wound in my chest turning into a crater. Leaving me alone with

hate

cell across the room, uncaring

I’ll resign. I don’t want to work for an ego maniac with a constant fucking

Chapter 26

hair, tan, and natural highlights. She gushes a little

there is no need for me to be here at all. The lawyers have handled mostly everything, and the minor details are rectified in half a morning. I walk through to Jake’s office and dump the files on his desk, I like that they scatter messily, and I don’t

them yourself,” I mutter and toss his pen on top. It’s fair to say I’m still as pissed

to do that, I’d rather say it to

that’s been waiting to discuss some points with Jake and assure them that at Mr. Carrero’s earliest convenience, he will

do I need him for anyway? To pander to his ego and swat away sexual innuendos all day.

as I snap up to see the force that is Carrero senior, stalking

Hell.

worst traits, amplified tenfold, and

few days, Mr. Carrero, sir, he returns on Friday.” I smile brightly and smooth down my skirt impulsively as he

on business.” He balks at me, and I grimace tightly. The urge

and smile brightly, the urge to fidget is strong in his presence, must be a family trait, having that sort of intimidation over me but

my calls.”

least I’m not the only one. He was

want to hear from him

that might be hard considering he’s also

I sulk inwardly.

I

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