“You keep saying he. Not considering a woman?” Seth hiked his brows.
“I’ve interviewed plenty of female wealth advisors over the years. Several had families, which I can’t accommodate. The remainder wouldn’t have been able to handle my intensity. I can’t have a Nervous Nellie managing my portfolio. I’m demanding. That can be intimidating.”
“So, you’re not opposed to hiring a woman?”
As long as I’m not attracted to her. “No. Why?”
“My best is a woman and she’s no shrinking violet.”
“Tough as nails?”
“She’s the best wealth manager I’ve ever had. Extremely smart, team player, consummate professional. She’s got too many clients, she’s so damn good. Lately, she seems…I don’t know…restless. I don’t want to lose her, but if I recommend her for associate manager, she’d be relocated to our New Jersey branch. You hire her and everyone wins.”
With his elbows propped on the chair’s arms, Colton steepled his fingers. He had several female staffers, so onboarding a woman wasn’t the issue. But hiring a female wealth manager wasn’t going to fly. He liked nothing better than admiring the softer sex, especially when naked and writhing beneath him. If he screwed his money manager and things soured, it would be too easy for her to return the favor and screw him out of millions. “I’ll speak with her. Then we’ll do it my way.”
Seth tapped a button on his phone console. “Kaleb.”
“Yes.” Kaleb’s voice blasted through the speaker.
“Please send Brigit in.”
Colton draped his coat over a chair at Seth’s corner table and stared out the window. This had better fucking work. He’d be losing more in commissions and brokerage fees than most people made annually, but he had to stop the hemorrhaging. Finding the right advisor was crucial to his success. The Francesco Company executives anxiously awaited his loan to begin production of Crockett Boxes. Without capital the project stalled and any misstep left them vulnerable to the competition. This wireless innovation was two years in the making and the biggest opportunity of his career. His commitment to fully fund the initial rollout meant complete control. There’s no way in hell I’ll resort to outside investors.
Seth’s phone buzzed. “Yes.”
“Would Mr. Mitus like a beverage?”
“No,” Seth barked. “Where is she?”
“I’m having trouble locating her. She’s not answering her phone or her texts. Oh, wait, here she is.” The line went dead.
Seth’s door opened. Colton turned from the window as the woman sashayed in. Fuck, it was the blonde from the conference room. He wanted to blurt out, Not her, but all the blood rushed from his head to his groin.
She was drop-dead gorgeous.
Her sparkling green eyes jolted him to his core and his chest flamed with heat. The thought of burying his hands in her silky blonde hair and kissing those pouty lips made his balls tighten. He’d speak with her to placate Seth, then hire a man from Seth’s secondary pool of candidates. Problem solved.
Though Colton towered over her, her sexy figure grabbed his attention. Weights, aerobics, running? Whatever her poison, he’d chase that tight little number anywhere. A primal need shot through him.
Her tailored black suit highlighted her curves and the hint of a white camisole clung to her taut body. She was hot, too damn hot. Someone he’d want to interact with daily, nightly and weekends, in all the best ways. She smiled at Seth, but the chill in her eyes belied her sweet expression. Most women noticed him right away, but this one wouldn’t even glance in his direction.
“Brigit, this is Colton Mitus of Mitus Conglomerate.” Seth stood. “Colton, my best wealth manager, Brigit Farnay.”
As she pivoted, she raised her piercing gaze, slowly, to meet his. Her eyes grew fiery, then she gave in to a smile. Not the oh-my-God-you’re-Colton-Mitus smile he was accustomed to receiving, but a forced one. He liked that she wasn’t drooling. Gushing nauseated him.
“My name is—” She paused. “I’m Brigit Farnay.” Her sultry voice danced in his ears, but carried with it a touch of defiance that struck a chord all the way down to his toes. She did not want to be there. Again, unexpected.
Two easy strides and he stood in her personal space. She stiffened. Her emerald eyes turned stormy. No batting of her thick black lashes. No pink hue settling over her cheeks. No over-the-top smile. Hell, no smile at all. Full lips he wanted to taste, but her sexy mouth wouldn’t crack. A hint of sweet coconut floated in his direction.
When he smiled, her shoulders relaxed. Much better.
He extended his hand and she glared at it like it would bite her. As she slid hers into his, energy surged up his arm. She stared into his eyes as if trying to glimpse his soul. Some days he wondered if he still had one. Her cool hand hugged his and he wanted to warm her ivory skin before letting go. Seth was right. She was no shrinking violet.
“Brigit, this is the possible opportunity I intimated earlier,” Seth said.
Even though her hand dropped like a brick, her intensity poured into him. Women cowered under his power, but she seemed to draw strength from it.
“Please, let’s sit.” Seth returned to his worn leather chair.
Colton waited, assuming she’d slip between the two chairs. Instead she kept her distance and hugged the wall. She sat and crossed her legs. Unbuttoning his suit jacket, he eased into the seat. Damn, she was pretty with lustrous blonde hair that trailed down her back. He imagined her plump lips nestled around his cock. Hire her? No fucking way.
“Colton, why don’t you present your idea to Brigit?”
Could I reject her outright? That would be cold, even for me. “I’m in need of a wealth manager and Seth recommended you.”
“Brigit, you indicated you were ready for a change,” Seth interjected. “How about we lighten your load? Exchange your dozens of clients for this one. What do you think?”
Brigit leaned back and clasped her hands in front of her, creating a shield. Her full breasts stole his attention, but he quickly flipped his gaze back to her eyes.
“I’d interview you to ensure your coming on board would be the right fit, for us both,” Colton said.
She’d been staring at Seth like he wasn’t even in the room. What was it with this woman?
Shifting her attention toward him, she arched an eyebrow. “Coming on board?”
An undeniable undercurrent sizzled between them. “Yes, you’d live at Mitus Mansion with me and my staff,” Colton said.
Brigit jumped to her feet like her ass was on fire. “It’s not something I’ll entertain, so please remove my name from your candidate list.” She turned to face him and her eyes flashed with determination. “Colton.”
“Brigit.” The huskiness in his voice sounded more like a growl.
As she walked between the two chairs, the roundness of her tight ass made his dick twitch. He crossed his legs.
She was perfect. Not because she was beautiful and sexy, but because she wasn’t interested. Winning was all that mattered. The greater the challenge, the better, and Brigit Farnay was proving to be quite the firecracker.
3
Brigit’s Secret
Brigit’s heart thundered at a frenetic pace. Act normal. Just act normal. She closed Seth’s office door and her panicked thoughts spun out of control. Did he recognize me? Has he found out what I’m up to and he wanted to— Stop! He doesn’t have a clue. Relax.
Try as she might, she could not calm down.
Running out of the office in a panic would draw suspicion, but speaking with a client behind a closed door wouldn’t. She hightailed it to her office and kicked the door shut with the heel of her stiletto.
The only thing Brigit wanted to say to that man was a speech rehearsed so many times she knew it in her sleep. My name is Eve Francesco, of the Francesco Company. The one you ripped away from me shortly after the horrific death of my parents. And now I’m taking it back, you son of a bitch.
Wi
th clammy palms, she grabbed her phone and dialed her attorney. “Melvin Parsons, please. Brigit Farnay.”
“Brigit, how are you?” Melvin’s familiar booming voice was a godsend.
“Melvin, I have a problem.”
“Talk to me.”
The words spilled like one long run-on sentence. “Mitus approached the firm. He’s interested in hiring an in-house wealth manager. It appears Seth has recommended me. I had an introductory meeting with him.” She placed her fingers over her carotid artery. “It’s a wonder I didn’t pass out.”
“Okay, Brigit, deep breath. What did you tell him?”
“To remove my name from the prospective candidate list.”
“Mitus has personal wealth managers. Why the change?”
She inhaled and blew out an hmphhh. “I have no idea.”
“Find out.”
She cupped the receiver. “What’s the chance he learned I’ve been purchasing Francesco shares and hiding them in the private equity firms we set up?”
“Unlikely. Don’t you think he’d confront you? He’s more of a take-charge businessman.”
“In front of Seth?”
“Hmm, maybe not. Did you say anything to arouse suspicion?”
“I might have muttered eff-you.”
“Francesco means something to him. And it would benefit us greatly to know what that is. He’s kept his seat on their board of directors and stayed involved in the day-to-day operations, even after he’d taken Francesco public and made millions. And that’s the only company he’s stayed so closely connected to.”
“Lucky me,” she mumbled.
Melvin cleared his throat. “Since I have you on the phone, aren’t you about ready to purchase more shares?”
“Yes. Waiting on my commission. I’ll drop the check by your office next week.”
“This will put you at twenty-two percent, won’t it?”
“Yes,” she said. “The day I finally own fifty-one percent, I’ll be too old to care.”
“You know my motto.”
“Uh-huh. Slow and steady.” She dropped into her chair.
“In December, we’ll provide Francesco’s Board with your revitalization plan and request you be added to their January meeting docket. Twenty-two percent should entitle you to a seat on their board, but nothing is guaranteed. Until then, stealth, Brigit, stealth!”
She hung up and tried to concentrate on work, but a sea of meaningless numbers blurred together on her monitor. As of late she’d been restless, but she always felt that way before purchasing Francesco stock. Meeting Mitus only exacerbated her anxiety. She blinked and clicked on a different screen. Melvin’s right. Stay away from Colton Mitus.
Fifteen minutes later, her phone rang. This can’t be good. “Yes, Kaleb.”
“Seth wants to speak with you.”
“Is he alone?”
“Yes.”
She hung up and marched toward his office.
“Go in.” Kaleb smirked. “This time he’s expecting you.”
Seth sat at his conference table, his hands clasped together and resting on the polished wood. He’d removed his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. “You want to explain yourself, please.”
She clutched the back of the chair like a life preserver. “Why did Colton Mitus pay you a visit? Doesn’t he use private wealth managers?”
“His portfolio hasn’t been managed in months and he’s taking colossal hits. He’s considering moving his wealth to our firm. You love the challenge of portfolios in distress, so I recommended you. For some unknown reason, you seem to have quite a problem with this.”
Maybe my secret is safe. She relaxed her white-knuckled grip on the leather. “Taking him on as a client is out of the question. He’s ruthless, cocky, arrogant, self-serving. The list is long. Should I continue?”
As Seth’s eyebrows flew up, his light gray eyes grew wide. “I’ve known him for years and he’s none of those things. He’s brilliant and one of the most respected businessmen in the metro area, not to mention a great guy. Before you dismiss this outright, consider the advantages.”
“From my perspective, there are none.”
“You’d learn a hell of a lot and I’m confident he’d make you a lucrative offer. Imagine managing one client’s massive portfolio, with a solid opportunity to increase your earnings.” He smiled warmly. “Maybe I’ll throw my hat into the ring.”
She breathed, then pulled out the cushy leather chair and plunked down across from him. “You do know your Jedi mind tricks don’t work on me.”
He chuckled. “C’mon, Brigit, just have a conversation with him.”
“I’ve heard he’s demanding and difficult.”
“He’s a driven and determined entrepreneur. That’s what makes him so successful.”
“I’m going to pass, Seth.”
“Five years ago, I took a chance on you.” Seth removed his glasses. “Every newbie I’ve ever hired paid their dues elsewhere. Everyone, but you. Yes, you graduated with distinction from Wharton, but you had no wealth management experience. You told me financial peace of mind mattered and you wanted to make a positive difference for your clients. The majority of my team is in it for the paycheck. I believed in you, so I hired you, handed you one of the firm’s key accounts and mentored your career.”
She eyed him across his desk. “And how’d that work out for you?”
“Dammit, why are you being so stubborn?” His hands flew out, palms up. “I’m asking you to talk to him, for crying out loud, not marry him!”
He’s not backing down. “Several excellent brokers on your staff would jump at this opportunity. Why me?”
After slipping his glasses back on, his expression softened. “Mitus came to me for help and I sold him on you. I touted your accomplishments. Bragged about your tenacity, intelligence and professionalism, yet you barely acknowledged his presence. This is a great opportunity.”
“It’s a strategic move on your part, designed to put a feather in your cap. I can leave and take the lion’s share of my clients with me.”
“You wouldn’t do that to me, though.” Leaning back, he clasped his hands behind his head. “You’re loyal, like I am.”
Seth had this over her and he knew it. His allegiance had been unwavering. He’d given her a chance when she’d needed to start her life over, asked few questions, and had restored her belief that not every man on the planet was a cold-hearted asshole. She owed him.
She ran her fingers along her silver bracelet with the gold lobster claw clasp. “As a favor to you, I’ll contact him next week.”
He jotted a number on a sticky and handed it to her. “I think you’re understandably rattled from Internado’s inexcusable behavior. Trust me on this one. I know what I’m doing.” A fatherly smile touched his eyes.
“I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but when I mentioned feeling restless, being at Mitus’s beck and call was not what I had in mind.”
“I have complete confidence you’ll make this work. By the way, he asked for references and is moving forward, full steam ahead.”
Not without a fight.
Seth stood. Meeting over. She left his office for the third time in one day, this time with her gut in knots. Glancing at her fingertips, she clenched her jaw at the tacky paper with the oh-so-familiar number. She couldn’t disclose her secret, not even to Seth. But she’d never work for Mitus. In a whoosh of unwelcomed memories, her unreturned calls to Mitus Conglomerate came racing back.
“Mr. Mitus, please. This is Eve Francesco again.”
“I’ve given Mr. Mitus all of your messages, Ms. Francesco. He’s not interested,” said the woman on the phone.
“I know my family’s business better than anyone.” Eve rubbed her forehead, trying to keep from screaming like a madwoman into the receiver. “I’m confident my ten-year growth plan will benefit him.”
“Mr. Mitus isn’t interested. Goodbye.”
Brigit ripped the sticky
off her fingers and smacked it on her desk. For the last six years, she’d shoved her pent-up emotions into an imaginary cellblock, but today the prison door had been blown wide open and they’d escaped.
What a day. First, George Internado. He’d been one of her best clients, until he ruined it. Did he actually think she’d spend the afternoon screwing him? Tasting bitter bile, she crumpled into her chair, then rummaged through her desk for aspirin to silence her throbbing head.
But Internado wasn’t enough. Oh, no! Then Colton Mitus had to waltz in. She flung two aspirins into her mouth and swallowed them down. The most devastatingly handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. And what did he want? Her, to fix his ailing portfolio.
She knew, all too well, that things happened in threes. Goose bumps crawled across her skin and she glanced outside, her thoughts traveling to dark places. I’m safe. He’s behind bars.
Brigit packed up, said goodbye to Kat, and hoofed it to the gym, a block from her office on 19th Street, NW. She shivered from a chill that had nothing to do with the brisk October evening and tugged her coat around her neck. After scooting inside, she flashed her ID and headed for the locker room.
As beads of sweat rolled down her back, she groaned against the weight of the leg press. She finished the reps and wiped the vinyl seat, but couldn’t wipe her scowl. Meeting Colton Mitus had fueled her grit. It had also done something completely unexpected and totally infuriating.
Jolted her libido from a long and lonely slumber.
4
The Pop-In
The countdown to Friday happy hour started after lunch. With the end of the workweek in sight, Brigit could almost taste nirvana. Colton’s number, still stuck to her desk, glared at her. She sneered at it. She’d agreed to call him next week and not one day sooner.
THE MITUS TOUCH: Book One of The Touch Series Page 2