Forever the Boss: Billionaire Romance ~ Hot and Steamy (Managing the Bosses Series Book 10) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Enterprises was having, there was something going on behind the scenes that gave other people a reason to drag him and his company through the mud. Others had seen Reid Enterprises as entirely blameless in the matter and had instead turned their speculation on Nicholas, which was where it belonged in Alex's opinion. It wasn't like there were a bunch of random people causing them trouble. All of it, with the exception of Jamie's ex- brother-in-law Stephen, had been caused by Nicholas.
    “We're hopeful that justice will prevail in that,” he said.
    “Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm hoping for that, too,” Paul answered. “I know you and your company, and I know that I left, but that doesn't mean that I have anything against you or Reid Enterprises. What happened was really inexcusable.”
    It was a more mature answer than Paul would have given before. Less flippant, and Alex found himself feeling more sure that he'd made the right choice in deciding to call the younger man and offer him a position. The question was whether Paul would take it or not.
    “I'm glad to hear that you think that way, because otherwise I'd have to rescind my offer.” He put a smile into the words.
    “Could I ask you what the specifics of that are?”
    That was the question Alex had been hoping for. If he was going to reel Paul in, it was going to be with a good position and a better salary. He had to be a better option than anything that Paul had currently or was going to get elsewhere.
    “I'm offering you the position of senior advisor, which Zander just vacated, and an extra thirty thousand a year on the salary you were previously paid when you worked management for us. You'll also have excellent benefits, of course, including insurance and paid vacation, options for stock in Reid Enterprises… and a company car.”
    There was a moment's silence, and Alex could practically hear the thoughts on the other end of the line as the younger man mulled over the offer. He was sure that it was better than what Paul currently had, no matter where he was working.
    “I know that you left because you wanted something different in your personal life,” he said when Paul still hadn't spoken, “and that's not something I can control, but New York isn't exactly a small town. There are options here for everyone, and we'll make sure that you have enough time off, and enough money in your pocket, to enjoy everything that it has to offer. There are thousands of young professionals here, and I'm sure that some of them would be more than happy to be friends with an up and coming senior advisor at a major financial company.”
    Paul laughed. “That's the first time I've heard a job pitch that included a suggestion on how to manipulate people into being friends with me.”
    “I wasn't suggesting manipulation,” Alex answered, letting his smile be audible in his voice. “Just telling you that you're not likely to be short of hangers-on, some of whom may only be interested in your money, but plenty of whom, I'm sure, will like you for who you are. At the risk of sounding conceited, you remind me quite a bit of myself ten years ago, and I never had any trouble making friends.”
    “Or enemies?” Paul suggested.
    “Plenty of people were jealous of me,” Alex said. “But don't let concerns about that trouble you. There are always going to be people who will be jealous of you. That just means that you're doing something right.”
    “Senior advisor,” Paul mused, “and thirty thousand over my last salary with you?”
    “And paid vacation time,” Alex said. “Four weeks a year. As well as a company car and plenty of perks.”
    The silence this time had a quality to it that let Alex know he'd won even before Paul sighed. “You're a hard man to turn down, Mr. Reid.”
    “You don't get to the top by half-assing things,” Alex answered. “When should I expect you to be ready for work?”
    “Give me two weeks,” Paul said. “I've got to hand