Page 118 of Brutal Heir

He strolled through the imposing lobby with the confidence of a man who knew he not only controlled but owned the world around him.

My body instinctively shifted closer to his.

For the first time since I’d met him, I walked into a room without his guiding hand at my lower back, and I missed the protective gesture.

As we neared the impressive reception desk made of two massive slabs of onyx, several staff members rushed up. Keeping pace with Sebastian’s quick steps, they all spoke at once, holding up files. Without breaking stride, Sebastian signed several forms and responded to their questions in deep, clipped tones.

I faded into the background as Sebastian turned into Signore Diamanti, CEO and owner of the House of Diamanti. It was an orchestrated business dance, with more and more people swirling around him—until one of the staff tripped me.

It was probably mostly my fault. I was so busy looking around that I didn’t notice where I was going and stumbled over the pointy toe of my slingbacks.

As I pitched forward, already imagining the bloody, broken nose I’d get from the hard marble floor, a strong arm caught me around the middle and hauled me backward against a wall of solid muscle.

Sebastian had caught me.

Silence blanketed the crowded lobby.

His arm tightened around my waist. “Are you all right?”

Afraid to speak, I just nodded.

He released me, but I didn’t move as he marched a few steps behind us to retrieve my shoe. There were shocked murmurs as he went down on one knee and lifted my foot.

My eyes widened, and I pressed my hand to his shoulder for balance. “I can put it on myself.”

He winked as his hand slid under my low skirt, grazing my calf. “I like the reminder of how we met.”

The world stopped.

It was just the two of us…and his touch on my skin.

He slipped my shoe on and stood. Without a word, he slowly turned his head, glaring at the surrounding staff. One by one, they lowered their heads before pivoting on their heels and retreating like chastised dogs.

Sebastian didn’t seem to notice the curious glances cast our way during their hasty exit.

He marched toward a set of elevator doors separate from the others.

This time with his hand on my lower back.

The polished brass elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. After the noise and clamor of the lobby, the small elevator sounded repressively quiet.

“Should I make my way to the HR department? There’s probably paperwork I need to fill out, and I need to give them my EU visa information.”

“That is all being handled by an assistant. Today you will stay close to me.”

The opening of the doors masked the high-pitched squeak of my voice. “To you?”

He raised an eyebrow as he looked down at me. “Do you have an objection, Signora Badalamenti?”

Yes, of course I do!

“No, of course not, Signore Diamanti.”

I scrunched my toes into my shoes to keep them from flipping off again. This floor seemed much quieter. Various staff offered sedate nods in greeting before returning to their computer screens.

An attendant ran up, took our coats, and remarked to Sebastian that they would begin preparing the morning meeting’s refreshments. After a quick thank-you, Sebastian took out a set of keys and unlocked a pair of double doors.

Pushing them open, he gestured for me to enter.