Free Romantic Acquisition by Elizabeth Lennox Page B

them,” he said as she put her hand on his door.  “You’d better remember that.”
     
    Kate glanced back at him.  “David, if I didn’t like this store so much and respect the memory of your father, I’d quit on the spot right now.”
     
    David sneered.  “Yes, but we both know that you’re not going to do that, are you?  So why don’t you be a good little girl and go touring with our potential owner.”  She was almost out the door when she heard him say, “And why don’t you bat your pretty little eyes a little.  Things might go a little more easily for you.”
     
    Kate slammed his door, sickened by his suggestion. 
     
    Back in her office, she stormed around, slamming file drawers in an effort to get rid of some of her frustration.  She was being trapped in by Carlo and she didn’t like it. 
     
    She was biting her lip, trying to figure out a way around his latest maneuver when Samantha, her secretary walked in.  “Kate, you wanted these filed but I don’t have the key to the main storage area.”
     
    Kate laughed in delight as an idea formed in her mind .  “Samantha, don’t worry about the files now.  Go grab your purse and your notebook.  I need you to help out on a project.  We’re touring the other stores for a few days.”  Kate thought for a moment before she called out again, “Order a car service, please.  We’ll need a car large enough for at least three people.”
     
    “Great!” the older woman said and immediately turned around to get her notebook.   Samantha was obviously delighted at the opportunity to get out of the store for a while.
     
    Kate danced around her office for a moment, cheered that she was going to outdo Carlo.  As t he two women walked down to the conference room , Kate was still smiling as she walked in. 
     
    “We’re ready when you are,” she said gaily as she entered the room. 
     
    “We?” Carlo asked, closing down his computer and looking up at the two women standing in the doorway to the conference room .
     
    “I asked Samantha to help out and take notes on whatever issues you might need more information on,” Kate explained. 
     
    Carlo smiled and reached out his hand.  “That’s great,” he said, shaking Samantha’s hand.  “We’ll be able to get this done twice as fast.”  He turned to Jeff.  “Can you go with Samantha to the Maryland stores and I’ll take the Virginia sites?  We’ll meet back here tonight to discuss any issues we find .”
     
    Kate wanted to argue but Carlo didn’t give her a chance.  He ignored the shocked look on her face as h e put a hand to the small of her back and led her quickly out of the room and into the elevators.
     
    Kate fumed all the way down, not wi lling to talk to Carlo at all.  Once they reached the parking lot, she headed for her c ar but Carlo chuckled and turned her towards his own. 
     
    She started to protest, “I can drive myself.  We should just meet at the store instead of being….” 
     
    He ignored her protests and opened the passenger side door for her .  He settled her inside the passenger seat without any acknowledgement of her statement .
     
    He walked around to the driver ’ s seat and got in, laughing at her mutinous expression. 
     
    “Believe it or not, Kate, I always do thorough inspections of every aspect of the business I advise on ATI buying.  This isn’t out of the norm for my operation,” he explained, then started the powerful motor.  “Which way?” he asked.
     
    Kate directed him to the nearest store besides the flagship store which he’d already gone through.  The next one was in Arlington , Virginia .  It was one of the larger stores and one of the more profitable ones.  It was surrounded by several large companies so the store drew a lot of lunch shoppers during the weekdays as well as the suburban crowd on the weekend that wanted to get to the larger department stores but not actually go downtown to Washington , D.C. where