Those Three Words: A Single Dad, Billionaire Boss Romance(72)

I point my finger at his purplish face, his collar cutting off the circulation as it digs into his fat rolls.

“So if you thought you were going to use that relationship as some sort of leverage or blackmail into getting me to sign the contract, you can fuck right off because I’m not the kind of man that will kowtow to that behavior.”

“You think I need to do that to get someone to sign a contract to work with me?” He stands and straightens out his jacket. “Boy, you’ve still got a lot to learn in this city. I run it. You might have a bigger dick, but I’ve got a bigger bankroll.”

And with that ominous threat, he turns and walks out of my office, slamming the door behind him on his way out.

Seconds later Olivia pokes her head into my office. “What was that?” she asks, her eyes round with concern.

“Nothing to worry about, Olivia. The trash just took itself out.”

She smiles. “Good. I never liked that guy anyway. Gives me the creeps.”





I put off going home for as long as possible but I can’t keep ignoring Margot. I owe her an apology and a conversation to clear the air and let her know that I will respect her wishes to resign.

But first, I need to have a conversation with Miss Perry.

I call her into my office. She hurries over to where I’m sitting behind my desk and places her hand on my shoulder.

“How are you doing, sir?” She tilts her head to the side in a sympathetic gesture.

“Fine. Please have a seat.”

She hoists her leg a little and slides onto the edge of my desk.

“In the chair, Fiona,” I say a little more exasperated than I intended.

She reluctantly moves to the chair across from my desk.

“We need to have a talk about what happened the other day.”

She smiles sweetly at me, like I’m confessing my love to her instead of reprimanding her. She’s perched on the edge of the chair, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she leans toward me.

“What are you doing?”

“I—I don’t understand, sir. I just—” She stands again and takes a step toward my desk, her hand outstretched as she reaches for mine. “I just want you to know that I’m here for you. That I’ll always be here for you. Just like I was when Meredith passed.”

I snap, standing up. “Stop! Just stop it,” I say firmly and she jumps back, sitting back in the chair.

“We both agreed years ago that it was a mistake. I’m not trying to be cruel, but it didn’t mean anything. I was lost and grieving. I know you’re a human with feelings and I hate that I used you back then, but we both said it meant nothing.”

Her expression goes from hurt to smiling again like she’s a robot… or a sociopath.

“You can’t still be upset about Margot’s unprofessional outburst from the other day. She’s just a silly young girl.”

“You were unprofessional. You provoked her. You’ve been obviously cold toward her.”

She waves a hand dismissively. “She’s just being sensitive, Graha—”

“Enough!” I shout again. “It’s Mr. Hayes to you.”

She straightens and folds her hands back in her lap, her stoic expression back in place.

I reach into my desk drawer and pull out Margot’s resume. I place it on my desk.

“Why didn’t you call Margot back after the first time you interviewed her?”

She stares at me, not saying anything, her eyes blinking rapidly.

“Shall I read over her qualifications?” I pick up the resume and start to read off the bullet points.

“She has several years’ experience working with children, dedicated her life to them really. She volunteers at the library. Is CPR and lifeguard certified. Has a double degree in early childhood and music education.” I glance over the paper at her. “Shall I go on?”

“I was going to call her back. I just got distracted with my upcoming vacation, sir. I apologize, sincerely. You know me. In all my years working for you, I have delivered exceptional service. Just this one little thing slipped through my fingers.”

I don’t say anything. I just stare at her, a tactic I’ve used in negotiations over the years. A tactic that never fails. If you stare at someone long enough, especially someone who’s trying to bullshit you, they’ll eventually break.

It takes less than a minute for her.

“Sir.” She begins to cry. “I just did it because—” She gulps in air and I’m pretty sure she’s faking it. “Because I’m in love with you. Can’t you see that?”

She lunges forward and grabs for my hand, but I pull it away.

“I’ve dedicated my life to serving you. I’ve loved you through so much. I’ve been there for you, picking up the pieces of your heart and putting them back together.”

I’m unmoved by her outburst. Frankly, I have no idea if any of it’s true. If it is, it’s far too late for me to care. Had she told me in the past, I’d have been sympathetic, but for her to torture Margot and try to trick me into turning against her, it’s unforgivable.

“Why did Margot ask me why the last nanny left?”

She sniffs and wipes at the nonexistent tears.

“What?”