Chapter 10—Bobby #2
Being a Leone has both benefits and drawbacks. Usually with women, they want to meet us all. If they can’t claw their way into one of our hearts, they try the next.
I’m not afraid that Willow would be like the rest. Quite the opposite, really. I fear that I’ll be the one vying for her attention if my brothers get to know her and see what a gem she truly is.
“Gosh, I’m going to gain like five pounds a week if I keep eating with you.
” Willow pushes her plate back, calling it even though she hasn’t finished half of her food.
Which is fine. I know she isn’t starving herself.
I might have made sure there was a running breakfast pastry delivery every morning this week to her team.
This is our first lunch together, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t make sure she’s always had something to eat.
Marco casually noted that she brought a bagged lunch with her daily, and she ate most of it too.
Not sure why I’m randomly needing to make sure she’s well fed.
The fancy dinner we shared probably made me more than a little concerned.
I just chuckle as I wipe my mouth. My mother didn’t raise a fool, and there’s no response to her words that won’t get me in trouble.
“Tell me how it’s going.”
She’s been updating me via email on all things after I ran the first meeting with the team on Wednesday.
They were all brought up-to-date on what was found, who was behind it, and my expectations going forward.
As I anticipated, the team I chose for this quickly ran with ideas on how to identify those impacted.
Once they collected what they deemed to be most of the transactions, the team would split tasks, going from everyone focused on identification to doing deep dives to determine how much was lost.
“In simplest terms, things are running smoothly. I sent you the file before lunch with what we deem are the affected accounts from the 75 percent we’ve been able to go through so far in the investment group.
I already have Missy and two others deep-diving into each account that was flagged.
I pulled another two to work on another department, as we saw some connections with the investment group and the donations team. ”
“Hmmm.” Doesn’t surprise me that funds allocated for public donations weren’t dispersed fully. Seems the most obvious connection.
“Once the rest of the team finishes on the investments, we’ll move one over to Missy’s team. The rest will focus on what’s going on in donations until we get to 75 percent of it cleared, and then we’ll move on to the next and so on after that.” She sips her water as she finishes talking.
Just like last time we were here, she chose not to partake in a vino with the meal despite our waiter’s attempt to persuade her.
If she thought I would look down on her for ordering alcohol, she’d be mistaken.
Wine is something I was raised on; it goes down like water.
But unlike my brothers, I don’t mind the taste.
They prefer harder liquor, and while I have a taste for dark liquors as well, I’m not opposed to just enjoying a simple red every now and again.
“Do you have a timetable for how long it will take to go through the entire company’s files?”
She winces before scrunching up her face a bit.
It’s more cute than off-putting. “Red-flagging all the files involved, I can comfortably commit us to a four-month turnaround. As for the deep dive of each flag identified, I can’t give you a clear date on that until I know how many files are flagged to begin with. ”
“Ballpark?” I know she’s thought about it. She’s the type who thinks five steps ahead.
“Two years. Maybe three.” She shrugs, and I fight the urge to dip my eyes below her collarbone.
She usually wears a skirt and a blouse that buttons to the top.
Not formfitting, but neat and aesthetically pleasing.
Today, she’s in a dress, one that’s a little tighter and dips just a little.
Not blatantly sexual, but hinting at what’s underneath.
The slight curve of her breasts dares me to look closer.
I chose to have lunch out to indulge my quiet craving of her attention. But I should have known that the temptation to do more than speak with her would be almost unbearable.
Willow has gotten under my skin. She sparks things in me that I didn’t know were there. A possessive need to care and provide. To claim as mine and flaunt her about while also hiding her away so no one can steal her or look upon her beauty.
Perhaps my brothers’ teasing me that I’m similar to a dragon, hoarding my treasure, is correct. Except instead of money, it’s her. And her girls.
“How are Lily and Ivy liking their new after-school programs?”
She turns her head suddenly, seeming startled by my sudden change of subject, but then her smile grows wide.
“They’re loving it. I still can’t believe you found a way to have them do more than one program without any issues.”
Oh, there were issues. Several, in fact. But a few spoken words, my last name used, and some generous donations made it work for the girls to go to gymnastics and STEM twice a week, plus cooking classes once a week.
I shrug as I catch the waiter’s eye to bring the check. “Just happy it all worked out for them.”
The waiter comes over, boxing up Willow’s food without any request from us, and I slide him his tip. Another thing the family doesn’t do is pay when we come in. But we do tip for excellent service. And if it isn’t, they don’t work for us anymore.
“Shall we return to the office?”
“Yes, please.” Willow stands as I hold her chair out for her to move around. “I want to make sure I look over the files before I go get the girls. I promised them I wouldn’t think about work tonight.”
“Big plans?” Why am I suddenly jealous?
“The biggest. We’re getting our nails done. Well, I’m painting theirs and they’re doing mine while we watch The Princess Diaries. It’s a little Friday tradition we have, so the weekend starts off with us feeling pretty and girly.”
“Sounds like fun. Too bad I already have plans; otherwise, I’m sure my fingers would look fabulous in pink.”
Willow turns as we exit the building and walk to the waiting car.
“Be careful what you say. The girls are known to paint nails while you sleep. I woke up with green ones once, and I had an interview that day. I didn’t get the job despite it being St. Patrick’s Day, and the girls were trying to get into the spirit by claiming leprechauns did it. ”
“Leprechauns, huh? Tricky little buggers.”
“Just like my girls.” She smiles as she slides into the car.