Daring to Trust the Boss (Harlequin Romance) (4 page)

CHAPTER FOUR

W
HAT
THE
HELL
was that?

Tucker walked through the building lobby, pushed open the revolving door and stepped onto the sidewalk, his heart beating out a weird rhythm and his mouth dry. He’d told Olivia he was a foster child because it would have been odd to keep a secret that was a matter of public record. He’d said it as if it were no big deal, but having her parents in his office, seeing physical proof of how much they loved her, he knew it was. Eating with them brought back memories filled with scars that had felt like open wounds. Then he’d turned and there she’d been, right at his fingertips, close enough to touch, and damned if he hadn’t been tempted.

He combed his fingers through his hair and stopped to wait for the traffic light to cross the street. He could still feel the rush of heat that whipped through him, the swell of sharp, sweet desire. He couldn’t remember ever being this attracted to a woman—especially one he barely knew. But standing so close had all but made him dizzy, and holding her gaze had sent molten lava careening through him.

The light turned and he hustled across the street and down the sidewalk. He had a meeting with a few bankers who had a sudden case of nerves about the terms of a deal he’d offered to purchase a struggling manufacturing plant. They needed to be coddled. He couldn’t be distracted by an attraction that was out of line.

Ridiculous.

So far off base it shouldn’t even be acknowledged.

All he wanted from Olivia Prentiss was for her to do her job.

And he needed to do his.

Heading for the building lobby, he went over the terms of the agreement for Echo Manufacturing in his head. He’d crafted this deal with the precision of an artist. He wouldn’t change anything. He had to make the bankers see things his way.

After a two-hour meeting spent attempting to alleviate the concerns of stubborn autocrats with no vision, he was crossing the street again. As persuasive and charming as he’d been, they’d ordered him to totally redraw the offer.

Though that made him forget everything that had happened that morning, it did not make him happy. In fact, if fury were a living thing, his temper would be Godzilla.

His head filled with facts and figures, he entered the elevator to his office suite. He was so immersed in his work that when the doors opened he probably would have walked straight through Olivia’s office without even a greeting. But as the doors slid apart, the word
gin!
blasted him.

He stopped. There at Olivia’s desk, an empty Chinese food carton on his right, a cup of coffee on his left and a deck of cards between him and Olivia, was Constanzo Bartulocci.

Short and round in the tummy, but dressed elegantly in a tailored gray suit, Constanzo grinned at him. “Good afternoon, Tucker.”

“Constanzo?” His head spun. First her parents had arrived and reminded him of everything he hadn’t had as a child. Then she’d bowled him over with a little close proximity and eye contact. Then bankers had turned him down. And now the owner of the company he wanted to buy was playing gin—with his assistant?

He wasn’t sure he could handle any more surprises today.

The Italian jumped off his chair. “
Sì!
It’s good to see you!”

As Constanzo enveloped Tucker in a bear hug, Tucker caught Olivia’s gaze.

Her face reddened and she mouthed the words, “He was hungry.”

Constanzo released him. “Seven hours on a plane. Two hours in traffic to get here. Starvation and boredom were killing me.” He gestured to Olivia. “I hope you don’t mind that I begged your assistant to share her food with me.”

She grimaced. “We did have leftovers.”

His assistant had fed one of the richest men in the world cold Chinese food. Where the hell had his office dignity gone? Where was decorum?

“Yes. I see.” He smiled at Constanzo. “I’m glad she had time for you.”

Constanzo laughed. “I’m sure she had work, but your Vivi, she is generous.”

One of Tucker’s eyebrows quirked.
Vivi?

Constanzo waved his arm in the direction of Tucker’s office. “Come. Let’s talk about these rumors I’m hearing that you want to buy me out.”

Excitement obliterated his anger over the Echo deal and the emotions left over from Vivi’s parents’ visit. If Constanzo was here at his office, eager to talk about his company, it could only be because he’d made the short list of potential buyers. He motioned for Constanzo to walk before him. “Lead the way.”

They headed for the door but Constanzo stopped suddenly. “Vivi, you come, too.”

Olivia squirmed on her chair. “Oh, I don’t think you need me in there.”

“Of course, we do.” He inclined his head toward the door. “Come.”

Tucker’s eyes narrowed. He had no idea why Constanzo wanted her in the room, but one didn’t argue with a billionaire who wanted to deal. “Sure,
Vivi,
come.”

Olivia smiled sheepishly and rose to follow them. Constanzo barreled ahead, but Tucker waited. Before Olivia reached the door, he caught her arm and stopped her just short of hearing distance for Constanzo.
“Vivi?”

She shrugged. “It’s my nickname. If you’d asked, I’d have let you use it, too.”

With a roll of his eyes, he walked into his office, slid out of his jacket and sat on the sofa beside Constanzo. Vivi took the chair across from them.

Attempting to return the room to its usual dignity and decorum, Tucker said, “I’m thrilled to have you in town.”

“I like New York.”

“You should keep a home here.”

Constanzo laughed. “I intend to enjoy not traveling when I retire.”

Tucker smiled.
This
was the kind of conversation he expected to have with a billionaire legend. Not a discussion about leftover Chinese food. A feeling of normalcy returned, including the urge to pounce.

Still, he wouldn’t jump the gun. He’d continue the small talk until Constanzo brought up the subject of his conglomerate again.

“You might try something like staying in Italy for six months and living in New York six months.”

He waved a hand and blew out a “pfft” sound. “Retirement is supposed to be about no plans.” He stopped, smiled at Olivia, then turned his attention to Tucker. “Maria tells me you want my company.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I have something I want, too. If you get it for me, I will negotiate exclusively with you for my conglomerate.”

Dumbfounded, Tucker fought a wave of shock. “So there wouldn’t be a short list? There would just be me?”

“For a year.” Constanzo laughed. “Even you have to admit if we can’t come to terms in a year, then there is no deal. But we will negotiate fairly because I want to retire next year. You will find me amicable.”

Fighting a feeling that this was too good to be true, or that there had to be a big, ugly catch, Tucker asked, “What do you want me to get for you?”

“You and three others expressed interest in my company.”

Tucker had figured as much, so he inclined his head.

“I checked all of your financials, then hired a private investigator.”

Not surprised by the review of his financials, but a bit put off by the P.I., Tucker said, “To see who could come up with the financing?”

“No. To see who can bring my son home to me.”

Tucker narrowed his eyes. This wasn’t a catch. It was a trick. “You don’t have a son. You never married. You have no children.”

Constanzo laughed. “I see you did your homework too.”

“We’re both smart businessmen. There’s no sense pretending we aren’t.”

Constanzo slapped Tucker’s knee. “That’s why I like you. You’re on top of things.”

“Yet somehow or another I missed the fact that you have a child. Either that, or you’re trying to trick me.”

“No trick. No one knows I have a child. Thirty years ago on a very busy, very hectic day, a girlfriend approached me saying she was pregnant. Believing she only wanted money, I had her removed from my office. She never tried to contact me again.”

Tucker sat forward. “And now suddenly you believe this woman’s claim, and you want me to find this child you’re not even sure exits?”

“Oh, he exists.” He glanced over at Olivia. “I’ve found him. I only need you to bring him home to me.”

“Constanzo, I—”

“—Don’t usually get involved in personal family problems to do a business deal?” He laughed. “Is that why you took Maria to lunch on Monday and promised to do something about her annoying cousin?”

“That was part of prying for information.”

“That was her undercutting her cousins.”

Tucker couldn’t argue that so he didn’t even try.

“Antonio’s mother—the girlfriend I spoke of—died when Antonio was a baby.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out an envelope and handed it to Tucker. “He’s in Italy now, but he grew up in foster care in the U.S.”

Tucker’s nerve endings puffed out.
Foster care
. The son of one of the richest men in the world had been raised by strangers. Had gone to sleep lonely. And probably grew up resenting the dad who’d abandoned him.

Which was why Constanzo wanted Tucker to be the one to talk to him. Without even knowing Constanzo’s son, he understood him.

“Your investigation went a lot further than I would have expected.”

“Yes, and you should be glad because until I went back as far as I did, other candidates to buy my company looked more promising.”

Tucker said nothing.

Constanzo sighed. “You’re the only one of the candidates who will know how to tell my son he has a father.”

“You’re saying he doesn’t know who you are?”

“No. He does not.”

“And you don’t want me to just drop in and say, hey, it’s your lucky day, your biological father is a billionaire.”

He rose. “I don’t care what you say. I leave that entirely to your discretion. With the stakes as high as they are I’m sure you won’t make a mistake.” He turned to Olivia. “Vivi, a pleasure to meet you. I think you will enjoy Italy.”

About to rise, Tucker stopped. “You want me to bring Miss Prentiss to Italy?”

He glanced at Tucker. “Why not?”

“Because she’s temporary, only standing in for Betsy, and she doesn’t know anything.”

“This trip has nothing to do with what she knows. You’re buying
my
company. Even you don’t know the things I’ll share if you win the chance to buy my enterprise.”

“Even so, she should stay here so that she has access to things I’ll need.”

“We have the internet in Italy, Tucker.” He laughed. “Besides, I now owe her for her hospitality. I pay her back at my home.” He grinned at Olivia. “My cook prepares a lasagna that will make you weep.”

She laughed.

He faced Tucker again. “I’m hoping to see you at my villa in the next day or two. Particulars are in the envelope. Good luck.”

He left the room and though Vivi popped out of her seat, Tucker watched the realization come to her face that it was too late. Constanzo had already reached the elevator. He pressed the button and the door swished open. There was no point in racing out to escort him.

As the elevator door closed behind Constanzo, Tucker ran his hands down his face. Suddenly the Echo deal falling apart meant nothing. He had an opportunity to get Constanzo Bartulocci’s entire enterprise. But, to get the chance for exclusive negotiations, he had to integrate Constanzo’s son into his life. And he had to take Olivia Prentiss with him.
Had to
. A wealthy man like Constanzo Bartulocci didn’t do anything without reason. He might be trying to make it look casual that he’d invited Olivia along, but after a few seconds to let it all sink in, Tucker knew better. There was a reason.

“I’m not exactly sure why Constanzo wants you on this job, but from the fact that he so clearly handpicked me, I’m guessing there’s a reason he’s insisting I take you.” He motioned her back to her chair. “Sit down. Let’s see what’s going on here.” He ripped open the envelope.

“You’re doing it? You’re going to Italy to explain to an orphan that he has a dad?”

“There was never a doubt.” He glanced at her. “He’s offering me exclusive negotiations on a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate.”

“Because you were a foster child?”

The words rankled. He should have been pleased that for once his status had gotten him something. Instead, he thought of Olivia’s mom and dad. Her arguing sister and brother. He wondered what it might be like to grow up surrounded by people who loved you enough that they traveled thousands of miles to see you simply because they missed you.

And got angry with himself. He’d forgotten all this, let it go. One episode with a quirky family shouldn’t make him long for things that couldn’t be. No one could change the past.

His gaze fell to the documents in the envelope. Pictures of a young man with Constanzo Bartulocci’s eyes. A birth certificate that named the baby’s father as unknown. But a DNA test that proved Constanzo was the father.

“Well, I’m not sure who his P.I. was but he’s thorough.”

Vivi rose from her chair and sat beside him so she could see the papers. “Why do you say that?”

He turned to hand the DNA test to her but their gazes caught and those weird feelings swept through him again. The pinpricks of awareness. The warmth of excitement. The swirl of desire. Except this time they came with the knowledge that he was taking her to Italy. They’d spend seven hours alone on a plane, eat every meal together—

But Tucker dismissed those concerns simply by looking away. He might be attracted but he wouldn’t pursue it. She was his employee but more than that, she wasn’t his type. He liked sexy sophisticates. She was a family girl. Too sweet for him. Or maybe he was just a little too rough for her.

“To get DNA for the test, Constanzo’s investigator probably trailed the poor kid until he could get his used cup at a coffee shop or something.”

Vivi laughed. “Really? You think that’s what he did?”

“He certainly couldn’t ask for a lock of his hair.”

“Not unless he wanted to get arrested. Or alert Constanzo’s son that someone was investigating him. I’m guessing Mr. B. doesn’t want his name even mentioned until the road is clear for a congenial meeting.”