Seduced by Mr. Right by Pamela Yaye Page A

behalf.”
    â€œI didn’t agree to that.”
    â€œIt was the smart thing to do,” Antwan said tightly.
    â€œFor who? Me or your bank account?”
    Antwan’s eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared.
    â€œThe next time you pull a stunt like that, you’re fired.” Emilio clenched his teeth. “It’s my career, not yours. I do what I want, not what you tell me to do. Got it?”
    The men stared each other down.
    â€œI know you miss Lucca, but it’s time to move on. You’ve mourned him long enough.” Antwan wore a sympathetic face, but there was a bitter edge to his voice. “Ferrari is rolling out the red carpet for you, and if you thumb your nose at them, they’ll never work with you again.”
    â€œYou should have talked to me first, before you accepted the offer.”
    â€œYou’re right,” he conceded. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. It won’t happen again.”
    Despite himself, Emilio chuckled. “Right. Now say that with a straight face!”
    Emilio listened as Antwan outlined the specifics of the deal and made a mental note to discuss it with Sharleen. He wanted her input and wondered how she’d feel about him traveling around the world for industry events. “When will the contracts be ready?”
    â€œIn a few weeks, but as a show of good faith I think you should attend the Miami Exotic Car Show on Memorial Day weekend. Executives from Ferrari will be at the event, and they’d be stoked to see you signing autographs, posing for pictures and kissing babies.”
    â€œAntwan, I’m a race-car driver, not a politician.”
    His manager gave a hearty laugh. “Just make sure you’re in Miami for the event.”
    â€œMaybe I’ll invite Sharleen to come,” he said, thinking out loud.
    â€œDon’t bother. She hates the Magic City. Said the heat gets to her.”
    Then I’ll just have to change her mind.
Emilio liked the idea of having fun in the sun with Sharleen and decided he’d call his cousin Nicco once he got back to his car. The acclaimed restaurateur was a regular fixture on the Miami night scene, and he knew the best places to party. He’d ask his cousin to use his connections to score concert tickets, movie-premiere passes and reservations at the best restaurants in town.
I’m going to go all out to impress her,
he decided.
And by the end of the weekend Sharleen’s going to be my lady...
    â€œLet’s discuss how to invest your signing bonus.” Antwan sat down behind his desk and grabbed his Montblanc pen. “Do you have any ideas?”
    â€œPay off the tax bill, donate a million dollars to The Salvation Army and deposit the rest in my savings account.”
    The pen fell from Antwan’s hand.
    Anticipating his reaction, Emilio waited for the moment to pass. Emilio felt as if he’d been given a second chance, a new lease on life, and this time around he wanted to use his wealth for good.
    â€œYou’re punking me, right?” Antwan said, with a nervous laugh.
    â€œIt’s my money, and I can spend it any way I see fit.”
    â€œA million-dollar donation is outrageous. Give them a hundred grand. That’s enough.”
    â€œI wasn’t asking your permission.”
    Curses fell from Antwan’s mouth, and the muscles in his neck pulsed and twitched. “As your business manager, it’s my job to stop you from blowing your winnings. But if you continue to disregard my advice and keep spending lavishly, there’s nothing I can do.”
    â€œSpending lavishly?” Emilio repeated, baffled by his words. “I’m not buying a private island off the coast of Belize. I’m giving money to a worthy cause, and if you don’t like it, that’s too bad.”
    â€œFine,” he grumbled. “Do what you want, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    As casual as he could, he asked