Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

LENA

MERRICK GLOBAL HOLDINGS occupied the entire twentieth floor, according to the sign in the lobby. My stomach growled as I waited for the elevator. Seeing as though I’d just had breakfast, I knew it was nerves, and that pissed me off.

Why was the thought of coming face to face with this jackass making me nervous?

His looks.

Deep down, I knew it was his looks, and that was ridiculous. I wasn’t a superficial person, but a part of me couldn’t help swooning over this jerk. That part of me really needed to shut up right now.

The elevator made a dinging sound and opened up, allowing me and an older businessman to step inside. It was just the two of us as the doors shut. When the man scratched his balls, I looked down at the feather tattoo on my foot to distract myself. Why was I a magnet for men who scratched their junk? Thankfully, the car arrived at the twentieth floor soon enough. I exited the elevator, allowing the man free reign to go to town on himself in private.

A black sign with gold lettering that read Merrick Global Holdings hung above two clear glass doors. Taking a deep breath and adjusting my little red dress, I made my way through the entrance. Yes, I’d gotten dolled up for this crap. Don’t judge.

A young redheaded receptionist smiled at me. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m here to see Christian Merrick.”

She looked like she was trying not to laugh. “Is he expecting you?”

“No.”

“Mr. Merrick doesn’t see anyone without an appointment.”

“Well, I have something very important of his, so I really need to see him.”

“What’s your name?”

“Lena Venedetta.”

“Can you spell your last name for me? Vendetta? Like a vendetta against someone?”

“No, it’s Ven-E-detta. There’s an E in the middle. V-E-N-E-D-E-T-T-A.” If I had a nickel for every time someone butchered my last name… well, I’d be richer than Christian damn Merrick.

“Okay, Miss Venedetta. If you’d like, you can take a seat right there. When Mr. Merrick arrives, I’ll ask if he’s willing to see you.”

“Thank you.”

Straightening my dress, I took a seat on the plush microfiber couch diagonally across from the front desk. It shouldn’t have surprised me that Mr. Big Prick wasn’t here yet—he wasn’t on the usual train this morning. I wondered how long I’d have to wait; I only took a half-day and was due back at Ida’s after lunchtime.

Mindlessly flipping through some financial magazines, I almost didn’t notice when the doors opened. My heart started pounding the second I caught sight of him—Christian, looking as angry and untouchable as ever. Black pants, crisp white shirt rolled at the sleeves, that gleaming silver watch wrapped around his wrist. He was holding a burgundy tie in one hand and a laptop in the other. A waft of his cologne hit me like a punch in the nose as he passed by. Of course it smelled like raw power and sin.

He didn’t even glance at me. Just stared straight ahead, completely oblivious to everything around him.

The receptionist lit up as he walked by. “Good morning, Mr. Merrick.”

Christian didn’t respond. Just let out a barely audible grunt as he disappeared down the hallway.

Really?

I turned to her. “Why didn’t you tell him I was here to see him?”

She laughed awkwardly. “Mr. Merrick needs time to decompress in the morning. I can’t hit him with an unannounced visitor the second he walks in the door.”

“Well, how long do I have to wait?”

“I’ll check in with his secretary in about thirty minutes.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Absolutely not.”

“That’s fucking ridiculous. What I need to do will take two minutes. I can’t wait all morning—I’ll be late for work.”

“Miss Vendetta—”

“Ven-E-detta.”

“Venedetta, sorry. There are certain rules here. Rule number one is, unless Mr. Merrick has a meeting scheduled in the morning, he is not to be disturbed upon arrival.”

“What exactly will he do if you bother him?”

“I don’t want to find out.”

“Well, I do.” I stood up and marched down the hall as the redhead scurried after me.

“Miss Venedetta, you don’t know what you’re doing. Get back here right now! I’m serious.”

I stopped in front of a dark cherry wood door with Christian Merrick engraved on the placard. The shades to the glass windows surrounding the door were closed tight.

“Where’s his secretary?”

She pointed to an empty desk across from his office. “She normally sits right there, but she’s not in yet. Which is even more reason not to disturb him—he’s probably already pissed about that.”

She turned to a woman in a nearby cubicle. “Do you know why Rebecca isn’t here?”

“Rebecca quit. The agency’s looking for a replacement.”

“Great,” the receptionist huffed. “And she lasted all of what… two days?”

The woman laughed. “Not bad, considering…”

What the hell kind of person was this Christian Merrick?

Who did he think he was?

Adrenaline coursed through me. I marched over to the secretary’s desk and pressed the intercom button labeled CM.

“Who the fuck do you think you are… The Wizard of Oz? I’m pretty sure I’d have easier access to Queen Elizabeth.”

The fear in the receptionist’s eyes was palpable, but it was too late now. She stayed frozen on the sidelines.

There was no response for a long moment.

Then came his deep, commanding voice. “Who is this?”

“My name is Lena Venedetta.”

“Venedetta.” He repeated it clearly, no hesitation. Unlike everyone else, he pronounced it precisely.

When he didn’t say anything else, I pressed the button again. “I’ve been waiting patiently to see you. But apparently, you’re whacking off in there or something. Everyone here is scared shitless of you, so no one wants to tell you I’m here. I have something I imagine you’ve been looking for.”

His voice came on again. “Oh really?”

“Yes. And I’m not going to give it to you unless you open that door.”

“Let me ask you something, Ms. Venedetta.”

“Okay…”

“This thing you claim I’m looking for. Is it the cure for cancer?”

“No.”

“Is it an original Shelby Cobra?”

A what?

“Um… No.”

“Then you’re wrong. There’s nothing you could possibly have that I’m looking for, that would make opening that door and having to deal with you worth it. Now please leave this floor, or I’ll have security escort you out.”