“Oh she told you about that did she? She’s a spitfire that one. I can’t believe you were ever friends.”
“We still are. Now is there a point to your call?” she asked.
“Yes. I want to see you. I miss you Gianna,” Marvin said softly.
If she didn’t know what a snake he was, she might actually fall for that line. “Well that makes one of us.”
“Why are you so angry,” he asked.
“Because…” Because I’m angry at myself. “Marvin, I don’t owe you any explanation, and really I don’t want to hear yours if that is what this is all about. I’ve moved on. I wish it never happened.” But she knew wishing didn’t make it so.
“Are you telling me that it was that horrible?” he asked.
She had decided not to lie about it any longer. Did that include lying to Marvin? “No. It wasn’t terrible. I had some good times with you, but it was wrong to do.”
“No one got hurt,” Marvin said.
“So you think. But that’s not the case,” she sighed.
“Oh baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you. You meant so much to me. If I knew what I was doing made you feel this way, I’d have stopped it. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s over. It’s done,” she said.
Marvin said, “Let me take you to dinner and make it up to you.”
She could hear Jordan’s voice in her head. He’s not going to give up. He’ll do anything to win you back. He’s obsessed. Gianna didn’t believe it at the time, but Marvin wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“Marvin, can you please do me one favor?” she asked.
“For you baby, anything,” he said.
“Good. Go crawl back under the rock you came out from under. I don’t want to see or hear from you again!” She snapped and ended the call.
Gianna had no intention of letting someone like Marvin back into her life. He was toxic and she wasn’t going to lose everything because of him. Her phone rang again and it was Marvin. What the hell! She didn’t answer it. Instead she went into her phone setting and blocked his call. She wasn’t going to change her mind and eventually he’d get the hint and move on. One thing she knew about him was he didn’t waste time on anyone for long.
And I’m not wasting another second on him.
She felt…exhausted. This was all more stressful than she’d have thought. No way was she going to meet up with Mary-Lou or anyone else tonight. All she wanted to do now was go to bed and have a good cry. Maybe if she got it all out, tomorrow would be better.
And maybe Jordan will want to speak to me again.
7
“I know it’s a family run business, but we have plenty of people who are not Lawsons working here already. We all want, hell we need, more time for ourselves. Tell me it wouldn’t be nice to have someone do tasks which weren’t detrimental to our business?” Jordan said.
Seth replied, “We do have employees for that. Maybe you’re not utilizing them properly. What is it specifically that you require?”
A clone of myself.
At this point, Jordan wasn’t sure even that would suffice. “I know we have staff. And I know Dad ran the business all by himself. Lawson Steel has expanded beyond even what we thought was possible.”
“I would have to say our cousins might have had a hand in that. They’re very influential overseas,” Seth stated.
Jordan hated the fact the Hendersons were getting credit for all the years of hard work that he and his brothers put in. He also wasn’t ignorant to the fact that the Hendersons just as easily could’ve blocked every move Lawson Steel made. “Don’t tell me you want their help now to resolve our issues. There’s a huge difference between the Hendersons giving us a good reference and giving them any access to the company’s confidential information.”
“I wasn’t suggesting we merge,” Seth replied.
“Good. We’ve come a long way with them but people aren’t always what you think they are,” Jordan stated bitterly.
“Are we still talking about our cousins, because the look on your face says it’s something else. Does this have anything to do with why you blew off the meeting earlier this week?”
“It did. But it’s not an issue any longer,” he replied. Jordan hadn’t spoken to Gianna since Wednesday. It was his choice not to contact her, but he was still shocked she hadn’t reached out to him either. He didn’t know what he wanted her to say, but damn, he missed hearing her voice. Somehow even this short period felt like an eternity. It only proved to him further, that she’d gotten to him like no one else ever had.
“I’m not sure I believe that Jordan. Want to talk about it?” Seth asked.
“Do I look like I want to?”
Seth laughed. “You look like you want to bite someone’s head off. I know that feeling very well.”
“You? That’s funny. You’re the calm, cool Lawson,” Jordan replied.
“Like you said, we’re not all what we appear to be. It wasn’t that long ago that I was willing to risk it all for the opportunity to tear someone to pieces,” Seth stated seriously.
Jordan looked at his brother and couldn’t believe it. Seth wasn’t a violent man. Even growing up, he was more the diplomat in the family. At school Seth acted as the mediator between bullies and their victims. Jordan handled it differently.
“Care to elaborate?” he asked.
“I lost my ability to think clearly when I met Charlene. The sit back and talk method went out the window when her well-being was in jeopardy. Until then, I’d have agreed with you.”
Jordan stated. “So what you’re saying is love changes a man.”
“It sure as hell does. You don’t even see it coming. One day you wake up and you find your priorities have changed. Not that you forget about everything else, but it’s…it’s just hard to explain. You find yourself no longer thinking ‘me’, but now thinking ‘her’,” Seth explained.
He was starting to do that with Gianna. Blowing off meetings in order to ensure she was okay definitely was a change in his character. Even though that need wasn’t there any longer, something inside of him couldn’t stop worrying about her. He could pretend like it didn’t bother him, but obviously even Seth picked up on it. How was he going to be able to get through the party tomorrow night?
“And that brings me right back to why you and I are having this meeting. I believe bringing on temporary staff would alleviate some of the pressure so you can be home with your families more.” He pulled out a few sheets of paper, each holding detailed information from several local companies. Even though he wasn’t talking with Gianna right now, her company was included in the packet. “I’ve done all the research and I would suggest contracting with one of these agencies.”
Seth sat there looking through the papers and then pulled one out. “This one sounds familiar. Why?” he asked, holding up Gianna’s company.
“Grayson Corp. has a contract with them. I have spoke to Rosslyn regarding this and she said Today & Tomorrow provides topnotch employees. She takes her company very seriously,” he stated honestly. No matter what was going on Jordan respected her work ethic and drive. It reminded him of how they handled things at Lawson Steel.
“Are you talking about Rosslyn or the owner of Today & Tomorrow?”
“Both,” he said.
“So your recommendation is we use the same company? I thought you were worried about risk. Grayson Corp. is our competition,” Seth stated.
Jordan chuckled. “Rosslyn is not a rival, she’s…family.”
Seth said, “I have to agree. With the passing of her uncle Maxwell, and her inheriting everything, the relationship between the businesses has definitely changed.”
“It has. Maybe it’s time we follow her lead too and do this.”
“Okay. You have my support. Now all you need to do is gain the others. When do you plan on setting this meeting up?”
He could schedule it for later today, but he wanted to wait till after the party. “Monday.”<
br />
“The delay is due to what?”
“Why are you asking questions that you already know the answers to?” Jordan said glaring at his brother.
Seth shrugged. “I guess I wanted to see if you knew why.”
Smartass.
“I hope I can count on you to keep quiet about this. Gianna is already stressed enough about the party,” he said.
“Why? From what I heard, it’s a casual gathering, not really a party,” Seth corrected.
Jordan laughed. “Do you think for a minute these ladies are going to stop at casual? Trust me. There will be more food than anyone can eat and you guys better be prepared for being told what to wear.”
“Ha. That’s funny. You’d never believe what Charlene asked me yesterday.”
“I’m afraid to ask. But what?”
Seth couldn’t keep a straight face as he responded. “Chaps. Fucking chaps.”
Jordan laughed. “Guess I should count myself lucky. It was only a cowboy hat for me.”
“Do we want to take bets on what Dylan and Gareth are going to show up wearing?” Seth asked.
Those two were the wild ones of the family, but had settled down once married. Still, he wouldn’t put anything past either of them. “I’ll pass on taking that bet. I have a feeling it’s going to be a very interesting gathering tomorrow night.”
“It’s definitely not like anything we’ve had before.”
That’s because she’s not like anyone else we ever met.
“I don’t know about you, but I think I’d rather be working instead of being at that party. It was a mistake letting these ladies get together and plan this,” Jordan said.
Seth chuckled. “Someday you will be married, and then you’ll realize how little control over these things you really have.”
Jordan smiled. “I’m enjoying every moment. You can live vicariously through me,” he joked.
Seth said, “I remember saying those words myself not too long ago. I wouldn’t change a thing about my life now. Charlene is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Jordan knew his brother wasn’t just saying that. Seth looked, not just happy, but he seemed content and that wasn’t something he had seen in his brother for a long time. “I still can’t believe you’re the one who broke company policy to find a girl,” he teased.
Seth shrugged. “I told you, people change. I’m not the man I was years ago. Hell, I’m not the man I was a few years ago
“I’m not sure if I like the new you. Before you met Charlene, you never would’ve wasted time during a meeting talking about women,” Jordan stated.
“I believe we were talking about you and Gianna first,” he replied.
Fuck! He’s right. “I was talking about her company. That is totally different.”
“If you say so. All I know is I’m not going to miss this party for anything tomorrow.”
“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” Jordan asked.
Seth grinned. “You bet your ass I am.”
Jordan grabbed his computer and got up. As he left Seth’s office he said, “Can’t wait to see you in your chaps tomorrow.”
As the door was shutting he heard Seth grumbling. Not everything about the party tomorrow was going to suck. His brothers were just going to be tortured in a different way.
He heard Sal call out his name from down the hall. Jordan turned and said, “I wasn’t expecting to see you in the building.”
“I’m surprised to find you here as well. Have you spoken to Gianna lately?” he asked.
Not that it was any of his business, but Jordan answered him anyway. “Gianna has not contacted me.”
Sal shook his head. “I assume that means you have not reached out her either.”
“You assume correctly,” Jordan replied. He couldn’t hold back. He needed to know. “Any new developments regarding Marvin?”
“I believe Marvin has been in contact with Gianna. He’s no longer loitering around her office building. But then again, he has not left New York City either.”
Even though he was trying to keep his distance, Jordan hated the fact that Marvin had spoken to Gianna. I wish I would’ve been there for that phone call. I told him to take a fucking flying leap. The pit of the stomach twisted into a knot. Gianna said she could handle Marvin herself, and he didn’t doubt that. But what if she was wrong? He honestly didn’t know what Marvin was going to do when Gianna turned him down. Marvin always said he was a lover and not a fighter, but he wasn’t so sure how Marvin handled rejection. He didn’t suspect that Marvin was going to walk away easily. How far was he willing to go to get what he wanted?
Probably as far as I’m willing to go to make sure he doesn’t get it.
“Sal, are you still tracking all his movements?”
“I am having him followed. That is as far as I have gone. Has something changed that I’m not aware of?”
God I hope not.
“No. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and keep me updated,” Jordan instructed.
“Will do,” he replied and continued on his way.
Jordan had two choices. Either he could reach out to Marvin and threaten his dumb ass, or he could contact Gianna and once again be there keeping a close eye on her. With any luck, Marvin we’ll see me around, and back the fuck off.
It was a wish, a hope. Jordan remembered his high school years when Marvin wanted everything that Jordan had. Jordan never gave a shit about anything of it. That was not the case with Gianna. She was not conquest, prize or trophy. Unfortunately, that’s how Marvin viewed her.
He pulled out his cell phone and sent Gianna a text message. PLEASE HAVE DINNER WITH ME TONIGHT.
Jordan wasn’t sure if she would even answer. After how he had just walked out of her apartment, how could he blame her? His actions didn’t show her that she could count on him. For that, he was disappointed in himself.
He went into his office and tried to busy himself so her lack of response didn’t drive him crazy. Unfortunately, no amount of work could accomplish that. This was fucking crazy. Jordan closed his laptop and left his office. Sometimes you just need to do things in person.
Gianna was wiped out. Back-to-back interviews were exactly what she needed, but it left no time for her to even think in between them. Unfortunately, only one-fourth of them were someone she’d even consider extending an offer to. This weekend she’d draw up the employment packets and see which ones accepted. She believed the wage was fair, but what people thought they were worth didn’t always match reality.
This was her last interview of the day, but it was difficult to conduct it with the noise coming from the reception area.
“I’m sorry, but if you could excuse me for one minute. I need to check something.” She left her office and closed the door behind her. Not something she normally would do, but in case there was something serious going on, she didn’t want anyone else involved.
Immediately she understood what the problem was. “Marvin, what are you doing here?” she snapped.
“I wanted to see you,” he said.
Gianna looked at her receptionist who was obviously rattled. Whatever Marvin had said, it couldn’t have been appropriate. Not surprising.
“We’ve had this discussion. I don’t want to see you. Please leave.”
“Only if you agree to have dinner with me,” he said.
“That’s not going to happen,” she said firmly.
Marvin sat down and said, “Then I guess I’ll be here for a while.”
The hell you will be.
He had a smug look on his face that irritated her even more. “I won’t say it again Marvin. Leave and don’t come back.” He didn’t budge and only smiled at her. Gianna walked over to the desk and picked up the phone. She was about to call the police and have him removed when the door opened. A tall man walked in and looked her straight in the eyes. Don’t be another applicant. Not now.
The man turned to Marvin and in a gruff voice said, “I don’t belie
ve you’re welcome here.”
Marvin looked the guy over and then back to Gianna and said, “I didn’t know you dated married men Gianna.”
“I…” she was so angry she couldn’t even speak. Any words that would’ve been spoken surely weren’t going to be professional. At this point, she wasn’t sure she cared.
“You can get up on your own, or I can assist you. Trust me, you don’t want the latter,” the man warned.
Gianna thought for sure Marvin was going to challenge him again, but instead he got up and said, “She’s all yours.” He turned to her and added, “For now.”
When Marvin was gone, she turned to the stranger and said, “I don’t know who you are, but I’m pretty sure I can find a job for you.”
The man smiled. “I have one, thanks. My name is Sal.”
“Salvatore Marciano?” she asked.
He raised a brow and said, “Yes. I don’t believe we’ve met before, have we?”
“No. Jordan took me to your parent’s restaurant earlier this week. It was delicious by the way,” she said. She didn’t want to discuss food, but it beat talking about Marvin. “If you’re not here for a job, what brings you into Today & Tomorrow?”
“Your visitor,” he replied dryly.
“You’re…you’re the one that Jordan said was keeping an eye on Marvin?” He nodded and she added, “Thank you. I was just about to call the police to have him removed.”
Her receptionist said, “That man scares me. There’s something in his eyes that creeps me out. You know like he thinks if he stares you down, you’ll give in.”
Gianna said, “And yet you didn’t.”
“Hell no. I have six older brothers who taught me not to fall for some guy’s bullshit.” Then she reached into the desk and pulled out a can of pepper spray. “And I also have this.”
Gianna smiled. “We might need to talk about a pay increase for you. I didn’t realize you were also acting as security.”
The receptionist said, “I’d rather you hire Sal. I get tired of looking at the four walls.”
Sal laughed. “You’d get tired of looking at this face too.” He reached into his pocket and handed Gianna a card. “This has all my information on it. If he starts to call or harass you in any other way, let me know.”
The Billionaire's Revenge (The Blank Check Series Book 6) Page 9
