Page 147 of Boss of Me

despite all the chaos raging inmy head,I manage to deliver my presentation with aplomb, earning praise from my professor and peers. When class is over, I make a beeline for the parking garage.

Hopping into the Range Rover, I pull out my phone and see a text from Gunner saying he’s working late and not to wait up.

Gnashing my teeth in frustration, I toss the phone down and drum my fingers on the steering wheel. I need to talk to him and get some answers, and I can’t wait another minute. So I fire up the engine and head straight to his office.

Though it’s after hours when I arrive, the security guard escorts me to the elevator without asking questions. He has a standing order to let me into the building, day or night.

I get off on the top floor, march past the empty reception desk and key open the doors leading to the executive suites. Having unfettered access to a global corporation’s inner sanctum is pretty mind-boggling, but I’m too upset right now to feel awed or privileged.

The door to the CFO’s office is cracked open an inch—just enough for me to hear fragments of conversation. Sedonia is talking on the phone, her voice sharp and flat with fury as she warns, “Fucking try me. I dare you.”

Sounds like I’m not the only one who’s having a bad day.

As I near the end of the long corridor, Maverick comes striding out from the direction of his office. He’s trailed by his petite assistant, her short legs struggling to keep pace with his aggressive stride. He’s in full boss mode, snapping out orders and expecting swift results.

He smiles briefly when he sees me approaching. But his smile is more grimace than grin, and I can see the agitation in his icy eyes.

Is Gunner available?I mouth to him.

He nods once and squeezes my arm before continuing down the hall with his harried assistant.

Taking a deep breath, I turn left to enter the anteroom of Gunner’s office. Veronica isn’t at her desk, but I can tell by the open file folders and half-finished coffee that she hasn’t left forthe day. A stock ticker rolls across her massive computer screen, displaying real-time price quotes for different global markets.

I walk toward the double doors leading to Gunner’s office and peer inside. He’s standing by the windows that span the length of the room. He’s on the phone, speaking in Mandarin. His voice is low and strained, vibrating with fury.

I hesitate in the doorway, wondering if it’s safe to go in. Without actually knowing what he’s saying, it’s clear that he’s in the middle of something serious. It might not be the best time to pick a fight with him.

Gnawing my lower lip, I let my eyes run over his body. He’s removed his suit jacket and tie. The first three buttons of his shirt are undone, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. Framed against the city’s nightscape, he looks intimidatingly tall, powerful and commanding.

Suddenly he glances over and sees me standing just inside the doors. His face softens ever so slightly before he turns away to resume snarling into the phone.

I swallow nervously. I definitely have the worst timing in the world.

After a few more minutes, Gunner ends the call and shoves his phone deep into his pocket.

I swallow again, a little intimidated by the anger I can feel rolling off him in seismic waves. “Are you?—”

He slams a fist against the window. “God fucking dammit!”

My knees actually wobble at his violent outburst.

“Who . . . who was on the phone?” I ask, my voice barely a squeak.

“One of our business partners in Beijing.” Jaw clenched tight, Gunner stalks over to the bar, pours two fingers of whiskey and knocks it back in one swallow.

“Is everything okay?” I cringe at my own question. Clearly everything isnotokay.

“I made a mistake, a stupid miscalculation, and now I’m dealing with the fallout,” he mutters darkly without looking at me.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly.

He doesn’t acknowledge my words. He just pours himself another drink and gulps it down.

I take a hesitant step forward. “Is there anything I can do?”

His mouth twists sardonically. “Unless you can wire my company the four hundred mil we just lost, then no, there’s nothing you can do.”

The breath whooshes out of my lungs. “Four hundredmillion?”