Page 14 of Wicked Takeover
Chapter Three
Lauren was drowning in paperwork, tattoo terms, and the many intricate details of running a business for the first time in her life. If Frank had made a ghostly visitation, she would have screamed at him for getting her into this mess.
Always helpful, Jasmina rubbed Lauren’s back and pointed at the computer screen in Frank’s office. “These codes are for the ink we order. The letters behind the numerals represent the various colors.” She moved her finger to different numbers. “These indicate the stuff we sell up front—T-shirts, belt buckles, posters… If something isn’t moving as it should, there’s a GRO behind it.”
“What’s that stand for?”
“Get rid of. You know, send it back to the vendor. You don’t have to worry about this. I’ll take care of it.”
“I should know how the place operates, especially the accounting.”
Jasmina hugged her. “You’re doing fine. No one expects you to know everything in one day.”
She’d already been at it for three days, and their system still mystified her. Although she was fairly competent at math and a whiz at spreadsheets, she found it hard to concentrate when endless personal bills were coming due and no money was coming in. “Where are the notes you made?”
Jasmina handed over several sheets.
“Thanks.” She paged through them. “Let me study this, and if I need help, I’ll call you, okay?”
“You’ll do fine.” Jasmina smiled. “You worry too much when you don’t have to. We’re all here for you.”
Lauren’s stomach churned. She’d never felt worse or lonelier, because she wasn’t going to be there for them.
…
The following day, she had the codes memorized, but Dante had added new, cryptic notes to several spreadsheets.
She hated to bother him for an explanation. Worse, she didn’t trust herself around him. He smelled too good and had a saint’s patience with her. No question she posed was too small for him to stop whatever he was doing and give her his full attention.
Like yesterday. She needed paper for the printer but couldn’t find where they stashed the supplies. Jasmina was busy talking a client into getting additional tats. Van Gogh was in the john, possibly contemplating the end of the world. Dante was busy, too, staring at some kind of report on his computer screen.
Reluctantly, she rapped on the jamb.
He glanced over and turned around in his chair. “What’s up?”
Her lust. It kicked in so hard, she was perspiring. “I hate to bother you.”
“You’re not.”
Her few dates hadn’t been so focused on her when she’d been with them. Warmth built between her legs. Foolishly, her soul yearned for him despite how idiotic that was. Even good guys like Dante weren’t around forever, especially with ordinary women like her who had no chance to snag a guy for a lifetime. “Can you tell me where the printer paper is? I used the last bundle. I couldn’t find any more. Do I need to order it?”
“Nope. We have a bunch. Follow me.”
“No.” She put out her hand. It shook. Quickly, she lowered it. “Just point the way.”
“I need to stretch my legs.” He led her to the back room. Instead of plates and dishes in the cabinets, there were office supplies. “Will two be enough?” He grabbed them. “Or would you like three?”
“Two are fine.”
He not only carried them to her office but filled the machine, checked the toner, and made certain everything was running smoothly. Then he gave her a warm smile that curled her toes and left.
He was killing her.
Maybe Jasmina could help with the unknown codes. Lauren called her on the intercom and explained the problem.
Loud male laughter poured from up front. “Sorry, that’s beyond what I do. It’s best you ask Dante.”
With no other choice, she called him back into the office.
