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Chapter One
ALEXANDRA
My desk vibratesfor what feels like the millionth time in the past ten minutes. I don’t need to pick up my phone to know who is calling and messaging.
It’s the same person it’s been all day. Hell, all week, month, and year.
Joseph Marino.
My heart races just thinking about him, just like it has since the day I started working for his father two years ago.
I flip my phone over and ignore all the calls and text messages. He’s just downstairs practicing with the team. If it’s important, he will find me.
I verify the last Saturday of the month’s date before filling out the paperwork for the new club’s grand opening.
My desk phone rings. Glancing at the caller ID, I see Arturo’s name pop up.
“Good morning, Sir.” I say as I pick up the phone.
“Alexandra, you are like a daughter to me. Must you keep calling me sir?”
“I’m sorry, sir.” I let out a small chuckle. “I only mean it as a sign of respect.”
“I know that. It’s one of the reasons I keep you around.”
His deep chuckle warms my heart. I’ve seen every side to this man.
I’ve seen the way his heart melts every time he donates to the children’s charity and the way his expression instantly hardens when he has to keep his men in line.
I’ve seen him exhausted from his many responsibilities, and I’ve seen him pissed beyond belief when someone crosses him.
Not once has he ever talked down to me or demanded me to do unreasonable tasks.
He likes his coffee hot, his meetings set on a reminder, and his personal life kept a secret.
Joseph is the exact same way. He lives a private life away from his teammates. He doesn’t date in public, and he doesn’t discuss his family’s affairs.
Unlike his father, Joseph does things to me that no other man has with just a single look. He turns my insides to goo and my brain to mush.
I clear my throat and focus on the matter at hand. “What can I do for you, sir? Uh, Mr. Marino?”
“When it’s just the two of us, call me Arturo. When we are around others, you can call me sir or Mr. Marino. Okay?”
“Yes, sir.” I shake my head while laughing. “It might take me a little while to adjust.”
“How is the paperwork coming along?”
“Great, sir. I just finished and am going to reply to the caterer to finalize the details for the grand opening.”
“Great. Thank you for taking care of it.”
“It’s not a problem, sir. That’s what I’m here for. I’m your executive assistant, after all.”
“You are more than that. You’re irreplaceable.”
“I appreciate you saying that. I would do anything for you and your family. I’m grateful for the opportunities you have given me.”
Maybe it’s because it’s getting closer to the day I ran away from home, but I’m feeling more emotional than usual. This time of year is harder on me. It’s harder for me to face the past and everything I’ve been through.