Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
"Mr. Wilson wants to know if Belle will be returning to her shift," one of the servers ventured after an awkward pause.
Though my expression remained cold, my thumb traced a final, gentle caress against Belle's wrist before I released her hand. The contradictory signals seemed to confuse her. I watched a flash of uncertainty cross her features before she lowered her gaze to the bandage now neatly wrapped around her palm.
"She won't," I said flatly. "She's done for the night."
Belle's head snapped up. "But I can—"
"You'll be fine," I interrupted, my voice softening slightly despite my attempt to maintain my usual clipped tone. "Take the rest of your shift off. With pay."
The onlookers' eyebrows rose collectively at this unprecedented show of generosity. I could practically see the rumors forming in their minds, speculation about what Belle might have done to earn such consideration.
Belle herself looked no less surprised. "Mr. Luca, that's not necessary. The cut's not that bad, and I need the—"
I raised a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "It wasn't a suggestion," I said, meeting her eyes with an intensity that dared her to argue further. "You're injured on company property. Take the night off, rest, come back tomorrow." My tone left no room for debate, though my words were more considerate than my usual directives.
I stood, gathering the used first aid supplies and setting the box on the table. The other staff members scattered at my movement, suddenly remembering urgent tasks elsewhere. Only one server lingered, a young woman with a concerned expression.
"I can take her home," she offered hesitantly.
I considered this for a moment before nodding. "Thank you." I turned to Belle, who was still sitting, looking somewhat dazed by the entire interaction. "Do you have everything you need?"
She nodded, finally rising from her chair, her shoulders slumped. "Yes. Thank you for..." she gestured vaguely toward her bandaged hand, "for this. And for not firing me." A small, uncertain smile appeared briefly on her lips though she didn’t look up.
"Goodnight, Belle," I said, my voice betraying nothing of the turmoil beneath.
I turned and walked toward the door. As I reached the threshold, I found Marcus waiting just outside, his expression carefully neutral but I knew he missed nothing.
"A word," I said to him as I passed, expecting him to follow.
We moved a short distance down the corridor, far enough that our conversation wouldn't be overheard. I turned to face him, keeping my voice low.
"Keep an eye on her," I instructed. "For security reasons."
Marcus's expression didn't change, but I caught the subtle flicker in his eyes as he tracked Belle’s form briefly before returning to me. She gathered her things with her friend's help. When his gaze returned to mine, I saw knowledge there that made me uncomfortable.
"Security reasons," he repeated, his tone flat but somehow still managing to convey skepticism.
"Yes," I replied firmly. "She was injured at The Gray. We need to ensure there are no complications."
"Of course," Marcus said, his voice professional but I thought I saw a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Any specific concerns I should be watching for?"
I hesitated, aware that what I wanted to say would be far beyond professional concern for an employee. I wanted him to make sure she got home safely, check that she had food, and to make sure there was adequate security.
"Just get eyes on," I said instead. "Let me know if she needs anything." I barely suppressed the wince. Yeah. Let me know if she needs anything. That wasn’t subtle at all.
Marcus nodded, but the look he gave me made it clear he understood more than I was saying. "I'll have someone drive them home and take them inside. Both of them." I was pretty sure he added the last to give me plausible deniability when Vittorio questioned me about this whole incident. Because I knew that conversation would be happening later.
"Good." As I walked away, I allowed myself one last glance back. Through the break room doorway, I could see Belle standing with her friend, her bandaged hand pressed against her chest. Her expression was a complex mixture of confusion and relief. Was she that worried about losing her job? I’d have to look into her finances.
No! Not my business.
I forced myself to continue walking, to put distance between us before I did something foolish. The logical part of my brain, the part that had built an empire and had kept my family safe and in power for a long time, was screaming warnings at me. She was an employee. She was young, vulnerable. She knew nothing of my world or of who I really was. Nothing about her should have caught my attention.
Yet something deeper, something I thought I'd killed years ago, refused to be silenced. It whispered that her eyes were the truest thing I'd seen in years, that her trembling hands had touched me inside.