Hired: The Italian's Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

received two days ago, it wasn’t surprising. She hated the thought of Robert being up for parole. Hated the way the mere mention of his name paralyzed her. Focusing on work was the only thing keeping her sane. And Luca wasn’t making it any easier. He’d featured in her dream as well. But she had to shake it and be objective.
    This was about today, about figuring out what it was Luca planned to do and exerting some of her own caution over the procedure. He would do whatever he wanted. She’d realized that after their dinner last night. But she was no pushover. Not anymore. She would keep things logical, reasonable. Within boundaries. In all ways.
    “Mari! Good morning.” He gave a click of the mouse before pushing back his chair. “I was just sending an e-mail to my sister in Florence. Sharing my ideas and getting her input. She’s got a fantastic eye.”
    “Then why didn’t she come?” The question was out before Mari could think and her cheeks bloomed at her rudeness.
    “Because she has a three-year-old and a baby to look after. I’m hoping she’ll make it out next summer, when the refurbishing is complete and the landscaping done. As it is, she’s nagging me to be back home for Christmas.”
    “You think we’ll be done that soon?”
    “Shoulder season is the best time to renovate. I can always come back after the holiday and finish things off.”
    Mari stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure of how to proceed. Her blazer pocket contained half a dozen messages she should answer and she knew there were matters that needed her attention on her desk. So why didn’t she get to it?
    “Did you need something in particular?” Luca posed the question, raising his eyebrows and Mari felt even more awkward.
    “No, not really. I’ll just, um, go to my office, and if you need me for anything you can find me there.”
    “I’m waiting for a call from a designer. He did some work for us when we bought the Colorado Springs property and with the similarity in settings, I thought bringing him up here would be a good idea. I know what I want, but I’m at a loss when it comes to deciding fabrics and tapestries and…well, it’s Dean’s job to take my vision and put it all together.”
    Her mouth went dry. Nine o’clock in the morning and hewas already moving forward without even discussing things with her. Was this all going to happen without her, then? “And what’s my job in all this?”
    For a moment she was afraid he was going to get up and her fingers felt for the handle of the door. Briefly she remembered the touch of his finger on her wrist last night. But he merely crossed an ankle over his knee and smiled up at her. “Your job is to keep the hotel running as seamlessly as possible for our guests and staff. I can already see you’re good at it. And your job is also to help me. I do want your input, Mari.”
    When the phone on his desk rang, his attention slid away from her completely, and she felt like a child dismissed from the principal’s office. Damn, she’d come in here hoping to get some insight into his plans, figure out a way to retain at least some control over the whole business. And she was leaving with nothing.
    Mari made her way to the manager’s office in a daze. It was clear she wasn’t needed when it came to whatever changes were impending. As far as Luca was concerned, she was there to keep people happy.
    She shut her office door firmly and threw her purse on her chair. She hadn’t worked this hard to build up her life to have someone dismiss it like it didn’t matter. Her years of being a doormat were over. She thought of the court proceedings happening this very moment and lifted her chin. She smoothed her hands over her cheeks, trying to soothe away the nagging feeling of inadequacy. She wouldn’t let him do this to her. This was her life now, and she would hold on to it with both hands.
    He was bringing in a designer, of course he was. That was logical. But it was all happening