The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 104

“Now, Emma!” He growls my way and I realize this is futile, he won’t let me leave until I do. I take a deep breath and stare at him, telling him in detail, as much as I can remember. He sits the whole time in silence, jaw clenched and brows down in an angry glare, watching me intensely. I hate him looking at me that way. I’m doubting myself, wondering if he’s thinking I’m being a drama queen. If he even believes me or is wondering why I would assume Dan had done anything wrong.

When I’m done, he pulls out his cell and barks orders at some poor soul, issuing marching orders on grounds of sexual harassment. He stills while they explain something to him on the other end of the line.

“Then set it up … Him, you and whatever legal team representatives are available, first thing … Offer him severance. I don’t give a shit! … I want him gone! No one lays a hand on any woman in this company without consequence … There’s footage from the elevator CCTV, I’ll deal with security myself.” He snaps the commands, eyes fixated on my face, showing contained rage.

There’s a rise of pride within me as I watch him on the cell, that surge of love I always felt around him.

Mr. Commanding “don’t mess with me” Carrero … Scary as shit boss.

One thing that surprised me when I first encountered him, was how passionately he seemed to stand up for women, their rights and giving them respect in the workplace. I guess his relationship with his mother has a lot to do with how he is. It’s one of the reasons I trust him so fully. I know he’s probably one of the few men in this building I am safe around, despite his playboy, womanizing, status.

“No. The woman in question will not be there … I will … on her behalf.” He’s still angry, shouting down his cell to whoever was unlucky enough to have a direct line to Jake.

“Call me back when it’s set up … No matter what time … I’ll clear my schedule … Yes … Goodbye.” He hangs up his cell, his mouth held in a tight line.

“I’m taking you home.” It’s a command, not a question and I know there’s little point arguing with him when he’s in battle mode. After the lift scene, I don’t fancy walking to the station alone anyway. I’m shaken but all I can do is nod and look away unsurely. I sense him move close to me so he’s almost touching my knees with his legs.

“Are you okay?” His voice is so soft and gentle I’m forced to glance up. He’s holding out a hand to me and I accept as he pulls me to my feet. Slowly, he wraps one arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him and gives me a soothing hug, like Jake of old. His chin rests against my temple, letting all the tension seep out of me.

This is the Jake I miss the most, the friend that he always was. This is the Jake who rips out my heart whenever he shows face.

I miss you so much!

“I’m fine.” I sigh, trying not to sag against him, or react to his body against mine. The two of us stand embraced, but it’s awkward and tense; nothing like our hugs of the past. He releases me, searching my face for a hint of untruth, but sees nothing. I’m so beyond used to men behaving that way toward me that I’m no longer affected by it as I should be; a sad fact.

“Come on, my car’s in the garage.” He takes my arm and guides me out of the small room, keeping me close beside his warmth and heads for the elevators once again.

Once inside the atmosphere becomes strained, neither of us knowing what to say or how to behave. He lets me go and moves away, giving me some space and I wonder if it’s because of Gabrielle. If maybe he doesn’t want to make me feel uncomfortable, enclosed in a small space with him, not that he ever would. Thankfully, the trip to the ground floor garage is short.

He leads me to his car, something he rarely uses when coming to work. It’s a low, sleek, and powerful sports McLaren P1. His baby. Yet, I’ve never seen it, or seen him in it, let alone drive it around New York. He’s mentioned it many times before and I know it cost him over a million dollars and I’m stunned by just how seductive it is. It’s jet black and looks almost sinister, sat in his personal parking space, like a shadowy bat-mobile in the corner, shiny and purring at him from afar. The car is the epitome of sexiness and I can’t help but get a little stir of internal heat at how it looks.

Figures that his car would scream with as much sex appeal as he does …

This garage is only used by the higher paid execs and has a full-time security post wandering around, gated entrance, and a hoard of CCTV cameras, making it feel like Fort Knox. I follow him as the car beeps in response to our approach, signaling it’s unlocking. I walk to the passenger side as he touches the handle and lifts the car door up toward the sky to let me into the molded seats and high-tech interior. He then pushes the door down, concealing me behind the tinted windows before gliding round to the driver’s side, getting in smoothly.

This car just screams Jake, from every pore; something about its relaxed coolness, sleek sportiness, and intimidating shape. He presses a button by the steering wheel, and it roars into life, sounding like an expensive jet plane, purring with vibrations as he hits the gas. The interior lights up from a display in front of us, whirring and electrical noises from the rear as a tail fin comes up from the smooth sleek flat back. It’s hard not to feel a rush of excitement with this car.

“I like your car.” I smile his way, seriously impressed. It feels like I’m sitting in a Formula One dream machine and even though I’ve never been interested in vehicles of any sort, I can’t help but feel like this one is special.

“I like my car too.” He grins over to me like a boy with his favorite toy, all bad moods lifted at being re-united with it. He reverses out of the space, expertly in control of his beast and head outs of the underground park, waving to the men who lift the barrier to let us out. The tunnel exit is lit by ground lights guiding us to the outside traffic, giving it a sense of driving out of some concealed spaceship into the air above. The loudest, roaring machine I’ve ever heard. I can sense the way we’re sticking to the road as it moves effortlessly out into traffic. It just adds to the excitement of feeling like I’m sitting next to Bruce Wayne.