Read Serving HIM Vol. 4: Alpha Billionaire Romance for Free Online

private investigators. I’d been about to call Aleena and see what she’d found out, although it wasn’t anything that couldn’t wait. I just wanted to talk to her. Sighing, I reached up and tugged at the knot on my tie before I answered, “Yes, Amber?”
    “I’ve got Mr. White on the phone. He wants to talk to you about the party in Philadelphia?”
    “Okay. I’ll take the call.” I went to pick up the handset, but Amber’s voice made me pause.
    “Ah, one moment, before you speak to him. I’ll be—”
    “This is nonsense, I’m sure Dominic won’t mind if I wait in his office,” a cool, crisp voice said, cutting Amber off.
    I walked over to the door before I had to hear Amber trying to figure out how to stop Penelope from barging in. I opened the door just as Penelope was reaching for it.
    “It’s all right, Amber. Can you please let Eddie know I just need a moment?”
    “Of course.” She gave me a polite nod and didn’t look at Penelope.
    “Really!” Once the door closed behind her, Penelope spun to glare at me. “You should fire that woman, Dominic! She—”
    “She did her job, Penelope,” I said flatly. Her habit of barging in on me whenever she pleased was starting to go beyond annoying. “I don’t have the kind of career where people can waltz in and out of my office as they please. I’m often involved in high-dollar, confidential matters that can fall apart in an instant. Amber clearly understands that.”
    I left the rest of the statement unsaid.
    Penelope drew in a breath through her nostrils. Apparently, she didn’t need me to spell things out for her. “Well, I simply wanted to touch base on how the matter was going with my…consult.” She touched her tongue to her lip in what I suppose she assumed was a coy manner.
    It wasn’t.
    Deliberately, I glanced at my phone to make it clear that I didn’t have time for her. “That’s a matter that would have to be discussed during a scheduled appointment. In order to give our clients our best, we do need to schedule time into the calendar for any meetings.”
    Harsh flags of color appeared on her cheeks. Her eyebrows rose over her hazel eyes and I knew I was treading dangerous waters, as far as Penelope’s consideration went. Frankly, I didn’t give a damn. Enough people in our social circle knew the type of person she was. I doubted she could do much damage on her own.
    “Then when I can make an appointment?”
    She gave me a tight smile as I came around the table and took her elbow. She allowed it, but her entire body was stiff, rigid. I was sure no one had ever dared to handle her with anything but kid gloves.
    “Why don’t you talk to Amber about scheduling an appointment?” I felt bad pawning Penelope off on Amber, but I wasn’t in the mood today.
    A few minutes later, Amber had her revenge and I had Penelope blocked out for my lunch hour today.
    So much for having a few hours to myself.
    At least I’d had the needed time to talk to with Eddie and see what was going on down in Philadelphia.
    ***
    “Tell me about the party in Philadelphia.”
    From across the table, I met Penelope’s eyes and wondered what it would take for her to leave me the hell alone. I had a feeling it would be a lot. She had her eyes firmly fixed on my net worth and the Snow name. She might already be imagining whether or not to hyphenate her last name.
    Under the table, I curled a hand into a fist, one so tight it made my hand hurt.
    “The one that doesn’t concern you?” I answered curtly as I reached for the water glass.
    A sommelier appeared with a wine list and I shook my head, starting to wave him away.
    “Oh, come now, Dominic.” She laughed softly and reached for it.
    “Have what you want,” I said, pulling my phone from my pocket and checking it. “Business expense and all.” There were several emails from Aleena and my heart skipped just seeing her name. I couldn’t take the time to read them here and I found myself growing even