2. Hazel
CHAPTER 2
Hazel
PRESENT DAY
The butterflies in my stomach are doing somersaults. God, why the hell am I so nervous? I shouldn't be, I was chosen out of the numerous candidates that applied for this job, but I am. I've never been a personal assistant before. I've worked in office settings, but nothing to this degree.
"Ms. Absyth," Jayne smiles at me as she walks out of her office. She's the head of the human resources and the woman that hired me. She's very sweet and was extremely kind when I had my interview. "I'm sorry for keeping you."
She reminds me of my mom, sweet and motherly. I’ve received messages from my mom, dad, and sister, Becca this morning all wishing me the best of luck for my interview. I’m close to my family, I adore them. Every single one of them. Becca and I are only a few years apart and while we’re not close, I love her dearly.
I rise to my feet. "It's no problem at all," I reply, hoping that they haven't changed their minds about me.
She hands me a black folder. "Here is your access to the systems, along with your keycard to access the office. If you need anything, just call, I'll happily answer any questions you may have. Now, Mr. Raineri is due at any moment, so why don't you hurry along up to his office and introduce yourself to him. He's expecting you."
I take a steadying breath. "Thank you, Jayne," I say shakily.
She beams at me. "Welcome to Rain Holdings, Hazel, I have a feeling that you'll do great here."
I love the confidence that she has in me, and I wish I had the same in myself. I thank her once again and head to the elevators. Today is the start of my new life. I'm forging my own path, it's exciting and yet I'm nervous.
The elevator dings letting me know that it's arrived. The doors slide open, and my breath catches as I see a beautiful man standing in the elevator. He's got gray hair and tanned skin, he looks as though he's been on vacation, he gives me a smile, it's soft. "Which floor?" he asks as I step into the elevator. His voice is smooth, and it makes my stomach clench. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not usually like this. Being attracted to older men isn't my norm. I've only dated guys that are around my age. But hell, this man is gorgeous, and he has an air of danger about him.
"Seventh," I reply as the doors close behind me.
"Ah you must be Ms. Absyth," he says. "My new assistant."
I blink. Holy shit, this is Joe Raineri? "Mr. Raineri," I stutter, my lips opening and closing like a damn fish. "It's lovely to meet you."
His lips twitch. "Likewise," he says smoothly. "Are you ready for today?"
I nod. "Yes sir."
"Good, now, from what Jayne has told me and according to your resume, you have worked multiple summers at a distillery, is that correct?"
I press the black folder close to my stomach as I turn to face him. "Yes sir, while I was in college, I worked at the local distillery in town. Marsh's."
He nods. "I've heard of them, a small company but they're growing. How much do you know about the distillery process?"
I shake my head as the elevator comes to a stop at our floor. My nerves are once again kicking in. "Not very much, sir, I worked in the office. I did the supply orders along with day to day tasks."
His gaze is sharp as he studies me. "Excellent, now, how much do you know about me and my company?"
My cheeks begin to heat. God, I feel as though I'm under fire. "I must admit, I only know a little about the company, sir, it's relatively new, you started almost three years ago, is that correct?" I step out of the elevator and feel like I'm able to breathe again, I'm no longer in close confinements with him.
I dove into his background the moment I was given the job. Joe Raineri isn't your typical millionaire boss, he's a shrewd businessman, one that has taken over smaller companies and rebranded them to Rain Holdings. He's ruthless and doesn't take any shit. I guess him being a mafia boss might have something to do with it, too. The newspaper articles that I read online paint him in a dark light, there was very rarely anything positive printed about him.
I'm curious as to why a man that's worth millions and runs a very successful crime organization would want to start a new company in a distillery?
"It is," he replies, not once taking his gaze off me. He comes to stand beside me, his focus solely on me.
I hold my head high and continue answering him. "You've purchased smaller distilleries, along with starting your own. Your brand is Rain Whiskey and so far, it's had positive feedback."
He raises a brow. "You sound like you don't agree with the feedback?"
I rear back, my eyes widen at his words. Did I just insult him?
"Ms. Abysth, for this to work, you need to be able to be honest."
I swallow hard. "I purchased a bottle of Rain Whiskey and tried some. It's very—" I pause trying to figure out the right word, something that wouldn't be insulting. "Robust."
His brows raise and he crosses his arms over his chest. God, why the hell is he so damn handsome? Everything he does is slick and smooth. "Robust?" he echoes.
"Yes, sir, robust."
"As in too strong?" he questions.
"A little," I reply. "It's not for me that's all." I smile, hoping to ease the sting of my words. I've obviously offended him by being honest and that's not what I had intended on doing at all. He wanted honesty and that's what I gave him. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings.
"Do you drink Whiskey, Ms. Absyth?" he asks, his eyes narrowing on me.
"Yes, sir, I do in fact drink Whiskey on some occasions. I tend to find that Kentucky Whisky is my favorite," I grin at him. "When in Kentucky—" I say and laugh as he scowls at me. "Mr. Raineri, your business is in Kentucky, but you have yet to delve into Bourbon, is there a reason?"
"Right now, we're trying to find a company that is selling, one that does well and is looking for a buyer."
That makes sense. "Have you been to any of the events that take place each month?"
He stares at me with confusion. "What events?" he questions.
"Every month, the rich and extremely rich put on an event that will benefit a particular charity each month. It's very high society," I say, rolling my eyes. "Anyone who's rich and looking to get richer is in attendance."
"You've been to one of these events?" he says thickly, his gaze roaming over my body. "Tell me why these events would benefit me?"
I place the folder that Jayne gave me onto my desk and perch on the edge of it. "Mr. Raineri, I know all about your previous business and while I'm not judging you, others will. You being involved in—" I pause once again, trying my hardest not to offend him yet again. "Illegal activities, whether it was in your past or not, is going to be a huge part in why some businessmen and women won't sell their business to you."
He takes a deep breath, I watch as he battles internally, did I just fuck up? Christ, I did, I didn't mean too, I just wanted him to understand why he may not have as many doors open as he could. I see him count to ten, and I just pray that he doesn't fire me on the spot.
"So," he says evenly, his eyes focused once again, but this time they're clear and emotionless, right now I'm looking at the Denver mafia boss. "You're telling me that I have to schmooze these assholes if I want to have their business?"
I nod my head. "Yes, that's exactly it. It's different here," I explain to him. "It's old money and very old fashioned. Men are the ones that do the business, and everything is kept behind closed doors. It's very seldom that you'd uncover anything about these men."
"Like politicians," he says with disdain.
I laugh. "Exactly like that. Those that want to sell their business will want to ensure that it remains the best it can be, and no offense Mr. Raineri, having a man that does illegal things means that the business could be seized or even disintegrate if you're arrested for those activities and sent to prison."
He grins. "So, when you said you knew very little about this World, you meant that you knew a lot."
I press my lips together. "Sort of, my father is a businessman," I tell him. "Going to these events was always something we had to do."
"So how does one get an invite?" he questions.
"I'll set it up," I tell him knowing that with just a few words with the right people, he'll have one for the following month. "My best friend's mom is part of the committee for these things, we'll get you an invite. Just don't expect people to be happy that you're there."
His laughter is dark. "Oh Hazel," he says. "I’d never expect that. With my line of work, I'm always making waves."
I grin. "Just as long as you know."
He nods. "Get that invite sorted and you'll have earned yourself a bonus."
I blink. Holy shit, now I'll make sure that I'll get it done. "Yes, sir."
"I'll tell you what, it seems as if you know a lot more than the assholes I pay to uncover this shit. If you can find out who's selling their Bourbon distillery that will be at the event, I'll give you an extra five thousand on your paycheck."
I smile. "Challenge accepted," I say.
Oh, I have a feeling that working for Mr. Raineri is going to be fun. Now I need to get him onto that invite list and do some digging. I need to find out who's selling their business and who'll be receptive to selling to Mr. Raineri, although I think that'll be the hardest of all. Mr Raineri is going to be well known in those circles he's looking to join. They'll have spoken about him and with his other businesses, it won’t be something they'll want to be associated with.
"Briar," I smile as I walk into my best friend's arms. I called her this morning once Mr Raineri had gone into his office and gave her the quick rundown of what I wanted. Of course, Briar being Briar, she didn't hesitate in offering to help.
"Look at you," she praises. "You look gorgeous girl, so damn hot. Being an assistant works for you. When you get this bonus, we'll go shopping and ensure that you have even better outfits."
That's my best friend, always wanting an excuse to shop. Her parents are rich, and they lavish Briar with anything that she wants.
"How are you?" I ask, wondering what she's been up to these past few days. I called her on Friday, but she told me she was busy and she'd call me on Monday.
She links her arm through mine. "I have so much to tell you," she sighs. "But first, your wish is my command. I spoke to mom about getting Mr. Raineri on the list for the next charity event and while she was a little hesitant, the moment I told her that you were his assistant she quickly brightened up. Your boss should have his invite by tomorrow morning, mom was working on it when I left the house."
I beam at my best friend. "Girl, I owe you. I don't know how you always manage to make things happen, but you're a freaking genius. Now, tell me about what happened this weekend."
"I'm going to need a drink. Fuck, make it a few drinks. You are not going to believe this shit," she says as we walk into the bar. "So, Friday rolled around and I was getting ready like always when both my parents knocked on my bedroom door. Honest to God, Hazel, I thought someone had died, they were so serious."
The server seats us and quickly takes our drinks order. "What happened?"
"It was even worse," she cries. "They're making me get married."
I stare at her in shock. "I'm sorry, are we in the eighteenth century, what do you mean by making you marry?"
She sighs. "Exactly that. They've apparently had an agreement for quite some time and I'm to marry Drayton Coldwell. It was agreed to years ago and I was only told about it this weekend. Let's just say I wasn't in a particularly good mood when that came out."
"Shit, Bri, what are you going to do?"
She lifts her shoulders and shrugs. "There's nothing I can do; I'm going to have to marry him. if I don't, I'm getting cut off."
I wince. Shit, that's not good, she's dependent on that money to help her and her younger sister.
"It'll be okay," I promise her.
She gives me a small smile. "Now tell me all about your boss, is he as sexy as he looks in the articles?"
I can't stop the smile that spreads across my lips. "Oh, Briar," I say low, "Even sexier."
Her eyes practically bug out of her head. "Holy shit. Really?"
I nod. Oh yeah, the man is fucking sexy, and I'm attracted to him and I don't think that's a good thing. But I can be professional, and I can keep my attraction hidden.
I hope so. God, I really hope that I can.