Chapter 104
Chapter 104
5
Sutton stared at Stacey, mouth suddenly dry. “The new boss wants to see me?” She knew her time was up. Should she pack up her desk before going to
see Luca?
“Yeah, he specifically asked for you.” Stacey gave a little shrug. “Nicole looked smug when she delivered the message. No doubt she’s stuck the knife in.”
Sutton’s heart slammed against her ribs. Was this it? He’d recognized her and now wanted to confront her? Fire her? Maybe do some sick power play to punish her for existing? Or had Nicole done what she said she would do?
“Did he–” Sutton swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. “Did he say why?”
“Nope. Just that he wanted to see you in ten minutes. In his office.” Stacey glanced at the clock. “Which is… now eight minutes.”
Sutton nodded, barely able to breathe. Eight minutes. Eight minutes to figure out how to face the father of her baby. The man who’d called her a slut and walked out. The man she had loved–who had killed that love when he’d decided she wasn’t worthy, choosing instead some little traditional bride.
She forced herself to stand, smoothing down her blouse over her very obvious pregnancy. There was no hiding this. No pretending. No escaping. She was
over six months pregnant.
“You okay?” Stacey asked, frowning slightly. “You look really pale.”
“I’m fine.” The lie came easily. She’d been saying it for months. “Just not sure what he would want with me.”
“I’m sorry, Sutton…”
“Thanks,” Sutton managed, gathering her tablet and a notebook. She had no idea why she was bringing them. As if she’d be taking notes during whatever shitstorm was about to happen.
The walk to the elevator felt like walking through hot sand…feet dragging and uncomfortable. Every step was harder than the last. She pressed the button for the executive floor, watching the doors close on her last chance to run.
But where would she even go? She was heavily pregnant, with rent due and a baby on the way. She needed this job. Even if it meant facing Luca. But like Blair had said, she wasn’t on her own.
So she wasn’t completely alone. And once the legal stuff was dealt with, she’d have her inheritance back. Roman had told them it would be a few weeks… so maybe she didn’t need this job after all.
The elevator climbed, numbers ticking upward like a countdown inside her head, making her head pound. When the doors dinged open, Sutton took a deep breath and stepped out. She felt hot. She couldn’t say she wasn’t nervous because she’d be lying.
The executive floor was all glass and chrome, everything sleek and expensive–looking. Nicole stood outside Luca’s office, arms crossed, lips pursed like she’d tasted something sour.
Arms across her chest. “You’re late,” she snapped, even though Sutton knew she was right on time..
“No, I’m not. I was told about this meeting only three minutes ago, and I was told you delivered the message five minutes ago, giving me another five minutes. This kind of maths is very early childhood. I’m happy to explain it to you if you can’t read the time. Or is maths the problem?”
Oops… maybe knowing she was about to lose her job made her bold.
Nicole narrowed her eyes. “He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Her gaze flicked to Sutton’s belly with open disgust. “And frankly, I don’t understand why he wants to see you at all. I could have dealt with you myself.”
Sutton bit back a retort. She knew exactly what Luca did and didn’t like. She’d spent eleven months learning about his body…how he liked it, his habits. his moods. She knew how he took his coffee, which side of the bed he preferred, how his breathing changed just before he fell asleep… and how good at lovemaking. No! it had been fucking… how good he was at fucking.
Dat zou
Chapter 104
She had been very horny lately. Pregnancy hormones. But she wasn’t going to think about him that way. He was married. And he had thrown her away.
But she knew things about him Nicole could only dream of knowing.
“He asked to see me, so I should do that, don’t you think?” Sutton s
simply
Nicole stepped closer, voice dropping to a hiss. “Don’t get comfortable. Whatever this is about, I can promise you it’s not good news. He’s making changes, and deadweight like you is the first to go.” Her eyes flicked meaningfully to Sutton’s belly. “Better polish up that résumé.”
Sutton stared at her, seeing the woman’s smug satisfaction. Nicole thought she was about to witness Sutton’s humiliation. She had no idea who Sutton really was… maybe a week ago that would have meant nothing. But since Sutton had helped prove their uncle was a murdering asshole who had stolen their money—and he’d been arrested–she and her sisters were heiresses. Once the law sorted it all out.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Sutton replied evenly.
There would be no other job. Sutton would launch her own business and sell her virus protection software, blowing the shit programmed here out of the
water.
Nicole’s false smile returned as she knocked once on the office door, then pushed it open.
“Luca? The receptionist. Sutton is here to see you.”
Sutton’s legs felt wooden as she walked past Nicole into the office. The door clicked shut behind her, sealing her in.
The office was massive, with floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking the city. Sutton had never been in here before.
Luca sat behind a large desk, head bent over some paperwork, not looking up.
Sutton stood frozen, barely breathing. This was surreal. Months of avoiding even thinking about him, and now here he was, less than ten feet away.
He still hadn’t looked up.
“Take a seat,” he said, gesturing vaguely to a chair without raising his eyes.
Sutton moved slowly, easing herself into the chair across from his desk. Her heart was hammering so hard she was sure he must hear it. He couldn’t even
look at her.
He shuffled a few more papers, then pushed several files Nicole or someone had clearly prepared for him off to the side. Not even looking at them. Her stomach tightened. Whatever this was about, he wasn’t in any rush.
“Roman mentioned his fiancée has a sister working here,” he said, still focused on whatever he was reading. “Said you’re a coder stuck on reception because this place is a how did he put it ‘a total boys‘ club.” His voice was exactly as she remembered. Deep. Slightly accented. Confident.
Sutton could barely process what he was saying. Roman had spoken to him about her? But that meant… Luca didn’t realize who she was yet. He hadn’t seen her in the lobby just now. Hadn’t made the connection.
He thought she was just Blair’s sister. Some random employee with a connection to his mate’s soon–to–be wife.
“I’m curious why someone with coding skills would be answering phones,” Luca continued, finally glancing up.
And then time stopped.
His eyes widened. His mouth opened slightly. The pen he’d been holding clattered to the desk.
“Audrey?” The word was barely a breath.
Sutton didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Couldn’t
Luca stood so quickly his chair rolled back and hit the wall. “Audrey,” he repeated, louder this time, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
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Chapter 104
“My name is Sutton,” she said quietly. “Sutton Warner.”
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