Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Shit.
The phone is still on voicemail, so reception couldn’t warn me.
“Morning, Mr. Vitale. I’ll bring you a coffee now,” I say before I dart in the direction of the kitchen.
“Don’t bother with coffee,” he mutters, then he raises an eyebrow at me. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I quickly grab the tablet I’ll need to take notes and my handbag.
When I reach for the computer, Mr. Vitale says, “Leave it on. Gloria will sit here for the day.”
I nod and have to jog to catch up as he stalks back to the elevator.
When we climb inside, I put a safe space between us and switch on the tablet so I can get the notepad ready.
“We’ll be escorted by two guards, but they’ll take a different vehicle,” Mr. Vitale mentions.
Of course, the man will have bodyguards. He’s a billionaire, after all. I’m just thankful they won’t be riding with us.
The elevator doors slide open, and as we walk to the exit, Mr. Vitale says, “Gloria will spend tomorrow and Friday with you so you can show her how I like things done before you go on vacation.”
“Okay.”
When we step out onto the sidewalk, two scary-looking men move closer to us, but before I can panic that we’re about to be mugged in broad daylight, Mr. Vitale says, “This is Milo and Lorenzo, my guards.”
I manage a quivering smile. “Nice to meet you.”
They nod at me and wait for us to get into a G-Wagon before heading to the SUV behind us.
When Mr. Vitale starts the engine, I’m surprised I don’t feel panicked about being alone in a car with him.
It’s probably because I work for the man and we spend a lot of time together.
Relieved that I’m semi-comfortable with my boss, I bring up the details of the building and go over them for the third time.
I’ve already compiled a list of other buildings to compare with the market value of the one Mr. Vitale wants to purchase. I want to make sure it’s not overpriced.
When ready for the inspection, I notice there’s a weird silence between us. Stealing a glance at Mr. Vitale, I take in his attractive face.
It’s a pity the man is so grumpy. I think he’d make ovaries explode in the office if he smiled occasionally.
We pull up to the building that’s situated near a shipyard, and I ask, “What will the building be used for?”
“A financial company.”
Leaving my handbag in the vehicle, I climb out. I notice a woman standing near her car and glance at the guards as they park the SUV behind the G-Wagon.
At least I’m not the only woman here.
When Mr. Vitale catches me staring at the guards, he says, “Don’t worry about them.”
That’s easier said than done.
I follow my boss toward the woman, and when we reach her, she gives us a wide smile. “Thank you for meeting with me today, Mr. Vitale.”
My grumpy boss just nods.
I shake the woman’s hand and say, “I’m Samantha, Mr. Vitale’s assistant.”
“Jessica. Nice to meet you.”
With the introductions out of the way, we head inside.
“This six-story building has two –”
“I’d prefer to inspect the property without you,” Mr. Vitale interrupts her rudely.
“Oh. Okay. I’ll wait here. Let me know if you have any questions.”
Poor woman.
Suddenly, one of the guards comes running into the building, shouting, “Down, boss!”
Windows shatter, and as Mr. Vitale tackles me off my feet, I watch as a bullet hits Jessica in the side of her neck.
A horrifying scream is ripped from me, and when I slam into the tiled floor, my eyes are locked on Jessica.
She gasps for air as blood spurts from the gunshot wound.
I’ve felt fear before, but the emotion seizing my mind is nothing compared to that.
Seeing Jessica exhale her last breath and her eyes lose all life is the most horrific thing I’ve ever witnessed.
“Run, boss. We’ll keep them off as long as we can,” I hear one of the guards shout.
My breaths explode over my lips, and a cry is ripped from me as Mr. Vitale yanks me to my feet.
More bullets slam into the walls and tiles, and I hear the guards firing their guns.
Mr. Vitale pushes me toward the stairs, shouting, “Go, Samantha!”
The intense shock makes it feel like every inch of my skin is being pricked by thorns.
I’m yanked toward the emergency stairs and stumble a couple of times because Mr. Vitale is moving much faster than I’m able.
As we enter the stairwell, I hear a bullet slam into the wall a couple of inches behind me and let out a terrified shriek.
Mr. Vitale grabs my hand in a brutal hold, and I’m yanked up the flights of stairs.
My lungs are on fire from the breaths sawing over my lips, and there’s a sharp pain in my side from the sudden exercise.
I think we’re on the fourth floor when Mr. Vitale abandons the stairs, and we rush into a lobby. When he finally comes to a stop in an empty hallway, I gasp like a fish out of water while trying to catch my breath.