The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) by Victoria Paige (red scrolls of magic txt) 📗

Martinez were hard to be around without Dante.” Jolene sighed. “And Renata.”

“When did Antonio come back for Renata?”

“After four years. We didn’t recognize him. Only twenty-one, but Antonio’s face had hardened so much. The favela wars happened around us. We saw one criminal organization after the other fall. Jacaré was only the beginning.”

“Tell me more about Martinez and Antonio,” Charly prodded.

“Where do I start?” Jolene said, her brows drawing together. “You know about Renata.”

“I already know that part,” Charly said.

“I think it’s what happened to Antonio at the hands of that cop that blackmailed Dante into throwing the fight.”

“What did he do to Antonio?” Charly held her breath.

Jolene shrugged. “It’s between Antonio and Martinez. I think Renata knows because she saw the pictures of the torture.”

Her skin raised goosebumps. “Torture …”

Before Jolene could tell her more, Antonio walked in with a dress draped over his arm. “You should wear this tomorrow night.”

Charly wasn’t a stranger to galas. The Carringtons were active in charities and her dad’s hospital frequently had them too. But that seemed like a lifetime ago and she wasn’t sure she’d fit into that socialite skin any longer. She frowned at the champagne-colored gown Antonio hung on one of the racks.

“You look sad, my chérie?” Jolene asked. “You don’t like the dress? Antonio has good taste. That’s one of my best designs.”

“Can I go in something like that?” She pointed to a white, silky, sheath dress on the mannequin at the corner. It was knee-length and fell along the lines of a cocktail dress more than an evening ballgown.

“No,” Jolene exclaimed.

“Absolutely not,” Antonio said firmly. “You’re going as my date.”

“And what”—Charly raised a brow—“exactly does that entail?”

“You wear only the best,” he shot back.

Charly turned to Jolene. “But didn’t you make that sheath dress too?”

“Yes, but the gown would set off your skin tone and hair color. And definitely you should look better than Claudette at that Green Earth Charity,” Jolene said, then sniffed. “Can’t say I’m sorry she’s in jail.” The woman glanced at Antonio again. “I warned this one that she was just a gold digger.”

“Jols,” Antonio muttered.

“What? She spread it all over Paris that you were engaged.”

“And you blew up my phone wanting to find out if that was true.”

Jolene looked at Charly. “We just want a woman who will love him for him, not his wealth.”

Charly laughed. “You’re looking at the wrong woman.”

Jolene stopped cutting. “A blunt woman. I like that too.”

“What?” Charly asked, puzzled, then realizing what she meant, she said, “No. I mean I’m not with Antonio.”

The redhead gave a disbelieving extended hum.

Antonio said he would wait outside.

Jolene stepped back to survey her hair. “This will need little styling. You don’t need much make-up with your dress either.”

“I don’t have make-up with me,” Charly said.

“Hmm … that explains your very pale face. You need some sunshine before tomorrow. Have Antonio take you to the beach today. As for the makeup, I got you covered.”

“What?”

“I’ll send it to the villa tonight … you do know how to use makeup, yes?”

“Foundation, powder, concealer, lipstick. I hate eye shadow.”

“You don’t need it. Just mascara. And pluck your brows tonight. I’ll put tweezers in your care package.” She held up a blow dryer, but before turning it on, she whispered, “Seriously, my chérie, are you Antonio’s dirty secret? He appears smitten with you.”

“I assure you, I irritate him so much that I’m a novelty.”

Jolene laughed as if she meant it as a joke. Charly was serious with that comment, but conversation ceased as the blow dryer turned on.

“Are we all agreed in appointing Dr. Moretti as Pierre Hudson’s replacement?”

Antonio listened on the phone while a member of the board spoke.

“We still need closure on Pierre’s death,” another one added.

“We are working with the investigators on the case,” Renata said.

“You were close to Pierre. Naturally, the suspicion will fall on you.”

“Do I look like a murderer?” Renata shot back.

“You know what we mean, Renata,” the board member continued. “Antonio. And you? Don’t you agree that you are too close to this as well? Maybe you should relinquish CEO duties to Vicente Rossi.”

“I’m sure this business with BOPE will be cleared quickly,” his head of finance said. “Simone and I had a meeting with Antonio right after the incident.”

“Everything is under control,” Antonio cut in. “Like Renata said, we’re cooperating with them. They even requested our expertise.”

“Rumor is that our XZite pills were found in the gang leader’s apartment,” the same board member kept pressing.

A movement near the dressing room entrance caught his attention. It was Charly wearing a flowy white dress that hit mid-thigh. Her feet were devoid of those hideous clogs and she was sporting delicate sandals. His gaze drifted down her body and then up again. He nearly didn’t catch what the board member was saying.

“Why are we still producing and distributing that product? I know it makes us millions but imagine if we give that up and increase our North American market share.”

Antonio hated that they were right. Without XZite hanging over their heads, their newest drug and medical device were set to become blockbuster products.

“That’s not the topic of this meeting,” Antonio said, but his eyes were glued to Charly’s. She arched her brow as in question whether he liked her look or not. Yes, Antonio liked this version of her very much. “I need to go. Renata will brief you on the test results of ADgen and GLUmetrx. I have other engagements.”

Without waiting for anybody else to voice their objection to him blowing off the meeting, Antonio ended the call.

“You didn’t have to hang up because of me,” she said, her cheeks heightened with color.

“I like your hair down.” He walked up to her and paced a circle around her, touching the fringes of her blond tresses. Her body shied away from his touch … either she hated it or he affected her the way she did him. Antonio sure hoped it was the latter.

“You’re making me nervous,” Charly