Page 356 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Giorgina

"In time for what?" I strut over to them—because that’s the only way I can walk in these heels. I spent half a month’s salary on them, so might as well make the most of them, right? "What are you gentlemen conspiring about?"

Cade flashes me a smile. "I've heard so much about you from Abby, but we’ve never been formally introduced. I’m Cade."

"Giorgina." I hold out my hand. "You can call me—"

"—Giorgina," Rick snaps.

I shoot him a shocked glance. What’s wrong with this man? He’s even angrier than the other times I’ve seen him.

"Gio, is it?" Cade’s grin widens. He reaches for my hand, but Rick snaps his fingers, and the Great Dane lumbers to his feet and steps between me and Cade.

"What the—?" I gape.

Cade laughs. "Sending a mutt to do your dirty work, hmm?

" He shoots Rick an amused glance. "I’m off to kiss my wife. I haven’t done so in nearly ten minutes, so I need to remedy that.

" He tips his head in my direction. "Nice to meet you Giorgina. Don’t let Rick’s bad attitude color your opinion about the rest of us. "

Rick glowers.

Knight chuckles.

Cade swaggers off, and I follow his progress. He reaches Abby, draws her in, then bends her over in a theatrical move and kisses her. By the time he straightens, Abby’s laughing.

Michael Sovrano and his wife Karma approach them.

Michael’s a scary mofo, with that scar around his throat and dark, penetrating eyes that seem to follow you wherever you are in the room.

He’s earned his reputation as the ex-head of the Cosa Nostra and now claims to have turned legit.

"Claims" being the operative word. I tend to believe him, given he did so to ensure the safety of his wife and child—not to mention, the second one they have on the way. He’s a reformed man, and while you wouldn’t know it from his looks, it comes through in how his features soften when he takes in his wife.

Abby and Karma begin an earnest conversation.

There’s an ease among this group of people, one that hints at shared experiences.

One I’m not part of and might never be. But I’ve never had the time to focus on building friendships.

I’ve been too focused on my career. And the one time I did let my guard down and trust someone…

Nope, those warm, fuzzy feelings are not for me.

Besides, I don’t need friends. I’m here to focus on building my new career and developing a relationship with my new boss.

I turn to Knight, the owner of the London Ice Hawks.

"I can’t wait to start work on the marketing and PR for the team. "

Knight smiles. "We’re very lucky to have you on board, Giorgina."

Rick mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like, "That makes one of us."

I shoot him a glance. "What was that?"

"Who, me?" He stabs a thumb into his chest. "I didn’t say anything."

"Hmm." I firm my lips.

"I’m glad the two of you are building a relationship; you'll be working closely."

"We will?" Rick scowls.

"He’s indicated he’s not interested in the captaincy of the team," I remind Knight.

"You’re right." Knight slowly nods. "Since he’s shown no inclination in accepting the position, you’ll work in close proximity with whoever else is the Captain." He emphasizes the words “close proximity.” I think nothing of it, but it draws a low growl from Rick.

"Something you want to say, Mitchell?" Knight murmurs.

Rick scowls at him. "I know what you’re doing."

Knight chuckles. "Is it working?"

Something passes between the two men.

"What am I missing? Someone care to fill me in?" I interject.

"Just that you’ll also be reporting to the Captain. This being a new team, a lot of the attention will fall on him, so you’ll need to not only work closely with him, but also take your cues from him in terms of building up his image," Knight explains in a smooth voice.

"O-k-a-y," I nod. It’s unusual but not unheard of.

"Also, Priest has agreed to take on the role of the General Manager—"

"Edward has?" Rick arches an eyebrow.

"Given his background and the challenges he’s overcome, he's the perfect choice for the role.

I have to admit, I was surprised when he accepted, but he has his reasons.

" Knight cuts the air with his hand. "All in all, things are shaping up well. But it’s going to require a lot of effort on the part of everyone involved to pull things together. This means the Captain will need to not only get the team working together as a unit, but he’ll also have to pull his share when it comes to the marketing and publicity. "

"Makes sense." I nod.

"As the PR manager, you’ll have daily meetings with the General Manager crafting the details of the publicity strategy for the team."

"That’s what I do best." I square my shoulders. "In no time at all, I’ll have the image of the Captain and the team whipped into shape."

Rick looks at me with interest. “Interesting word choice. You like the sound of whipping?”

Heat squeezes a lasso around my lower belly. Of course, he'd misconstrue the meaning of what I said. And of course, I find it a turn on. But I’m not going to let on how much his words affected me. I tip up my chin and attempt a bored tone. “As much as the next person,” I say slowly.

“Is that a yes?” he rumbles.

I shake my head.

“Liar,” he says without heat.

My cheeks flush. He notices it, and his gaze widens. The air between us charges. I open my mouth to tell him off, but the words stick in my throat.

Knight clears his throat and shakes his head at Rick before directing his comment at me. "In the initial days, you’ll have to work closely with the Captain."

I frown, bringing my complete attention back to the conversation at hand. "I understand. I’m not one to shirk from hard work, and since Rick is not the Captain"—thank god—"things should run smoothly and—"

"I accept the role," Rick interrupts.

"What?" I slingshot my head in his direction. "You’re saying that to get on my nerves."

"I’m doing it because Knight needs me."

I slap my hand on my hip. "Until a few seconds ago, you were positive the role wasn’t for you."

"That was then."

"So, what changed?"

"I realized Knight was right all along. I’m the man for the job."

"You are." Knight nods.

"I don’t want to work with you," I counter.

"Are you saying you’re not accepting the role?" Knight frowns.

"Umm…" I turn to him. "That’s not what I’m saying." I need this job. I ran out of L.A., breaking the lease on my place, and without any savings. Stupid move, but facing a personal crisis, followed by a professional crisis, meant it was time for a new start.

Oh, I don’t regret spending all my money on my designer outfits and shoes, but it means my cashflow is rather lean—closer to non-existent, if I'm being honest. And the Ice Kings’ salary is more than generous.

To be frank, I don’t have an option. But if it means I’m going to be working closely with this asshole, well… Do I have a choice?

"Good, so you’re on board as the PR and Marketing Manager, and you"—he turns his gaze on Rick—"are the Captain." Knight’s face breaks into a smile. "About fucking time." He claps Rick on the shoulder. "I’ll leave you two to get acquainted and come up with a plan."

With a nod that encompasses both of us, he heads off.

"Shit." I curl my fingers around the strap of my bag.

"Fuck." Rick rakes his fingers through his hair.

"This is all your fault." I stab a finger at him. "Why couldn’t you have said no to the role?"