#Boss (The Empire Series Book 3)

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T
his is a work of fiction
. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

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his book is
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arning
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I
am genuinely
terrible at acknowledgements. I always seem to leave out people, but hopefully I will make up for it along the way. I must thank all the readers, bloggers, family, friends and fellow authors. If it weren't for each and every one of you, I wouldn’t sell anything. No, literally lol. There are a few instrumental people I feel I need to mention.

Randi Vassal: From day 1 you have been a HUGE support. If things sound wonky, you tell me. When I need encouragement to keep pushing, you are always there to give me a swift kick in the ass. I trust your judgment and love that YOU love my characters so much.

Alora Kate: You fucking rock girl! LOVE your books, LOVE your book covers and LOVE your photography work. It never fails that I can come to you for anything including graphic design things. You have your own books to promote and yet you ALWAYS promote mine. This is a huge testament to the person you are.

Marilyn Faith: Sweet Mother you can write your tail off. I love that you allow me to beta read...keep asking lol. Every part of you is beautiful. Thank you for always pimping!

Nicole Artisyn: I realized just recently that our bond of dance videos was more than laughs and giggles. There is a deep understanding about what it feels like to have a semicolon in our sentences. You are wonderful in every sense of the word.

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi: I can't help but say that every time I see your name. I'm not even sure how we met (probably the crazy bitches I associate with), but I'm glad we did. We have similar yet different obstacles in our lives and I can't tell you how nice it is to talk to someone who might have a shred of knowledge of what I'm going through. It doesn't hurt that you have a quirky personality like the rest of us, so perhaps you could join the vagina party lol.

KLa Boutique & Cassie Crafty Creations: Thank you for creating swag that is so bad ass. Everything turned out phenomenal and thank you so much for rushing things for me when I was a demanding cow.

TCB Editing: Woo-wee this one was a tight squeeze. So glad to work with your team for #3! I hope to continue our relationship in the future.

Shauna: I think so highly of you, I don't believe there are enough adjectives to express my appreciation. This is now our fourth cover together and I can't imagine going to anyone else for my one-of-a-kind photographs. The authenticity of your work floors me and I constantly get compliments and drools over the masterpieces you create.

Manny: The trifecta has been complete. I believe in some sort of thread I told Shauna I needed to have you three on a series. I wasn't lying, but I did promise I wouldn't put you in bondage and have Matthew walk you around on a leash. This, I was able to keep...for the most part. Thank you for bringing Luca to life.

Stephanie: My little Nighthawk. I think of you as a sister and I hope that doesn't freak you out lol You have pimped the shit out of this series! I don't know how you do it to be honest lol. BUT I'm so grateful you do! No one would know who I was if it weren't for you! Love ya!

Nicole's Naughty Nymphs street team: Y'all fucking rock. You bust your ass to make this pipe dream a reality and I am so appreciative. Cheers!

Miss, Mal, Frost: Is it September yet????

Sherlock : You're still an asshole. Just sayin'.

"
A
ri
! Sam! Quinn! Where is everyone, dammit?" Vivienne Harper yelled from her comfy leather chair, not comprehending what time it was.

    Standing from her chair, she straightened her pencil skirt as she cracked her neck. There was something extremely venomous about Vivienne Harper. No man could tame her, and no woman could compete with her. She was a beast in her own right, and she knew it.

    Viv had been a predator since the day she was born. The oldest of four kids, she scratched and clawed her way to the top. Growing up in a competitive household only hardened her backbone to be the best at everything: spelling bee champ, class president and the only one of her siblings to graduate college and earn her masters.

    As she stood to exit her office, the gentleman who stepped into her doorframe took her aback. The man had a lethal stare, strategically placed dimple, and a body to rival John Cena. Even under his dark suit, she could make out the curves and ridges of his cut chest.

    For the first time in her life, Vivienne felt paralyzed at the sight of a man. Normally, she ignored any and all distractions if she felt they would hinder her in any way. This was unquestionably going to be a distraction she didn't need, though one she desperately wanted.

    With work being her number one priority, her only boyfriends were Hugh Grant, a bottle of red, and a sex toy or two. Work was her relationship, and that's how she intended to keep it.

    "Vivienne Harper?" The outsider, with the dreamy brown eyes, asked as she stopped in her tracks.

    "Present," she responded with a dry tone, holding back the drool that wanted to escape her lips.

    "Luca Manning," he extended his large hands, taking in her perfectly manicured fingers.

    Shaking his hand forcefully, her senses were on high alert. Although he was suave and debonair, this chameleon way was up to something.
What was his agenda?

     "How can I help you Mr. Manning?" Viv approached apprehensively.

    "I'm from Airlon. I was sent to check on your publication." He gave her a stoic stance.

    "Check on...?" she questioned.

    "...On how you run things here. That's all. We like to check in from time to time," he specified, as he let his eyes roam around her office. Landing on her chest, he didn’t seem ashamed for his obvious interest in her tits.

    Gradually moving his eyes to meet hers, his blunt stare didn't waiver from his stern look. No sign of embarrassment, only defiance, if anything.

    "What happened to Frank?" she inquired. "I've been here for over a decade, and I've never seen you. I've always dealt with Frank. And why didn't they tell me you were coming?"

    "Frank is no longer with the company, ma'am. I replaced him just recently. I wanted to come and introduce myself. I wasn't aware that I needed an invitation."

    "Of course you don't need an invitation. I just...," she initiated

    Cutting her off, "You just what?"

    If there was anything Viv hated more than a dominant asshole, it was a dominant asshole that cut her off and disparaged her.

    "I just wish someone would have informed me of your visit, Mr. Manning," she replied, trying her best to calm her raging interior.

    "Why? Do you have something to hide, Mrs. Harper?" he asked bluntly.

    "It's Ms., and no, not at all. I would have liked to prepare for your visit, that's all."

    "I will note my error. You don't like to be unprepared or surprised, do you
MS
. Harper?" he smirked.

    "I tend to fall on the OCD side, so no, not really."

    "You come across as a woman who likes to be in charge at all times, am I right?"

    "For the most part, yes. Is that a bad thing in my position, or my line of work?" She felt insulted.

    "Not at all, a woman after my own heart. I think we will get along adequately."

    "How long do you plan to be in town?" She felt suddenly anxious.

    "That is still up in the air," His leer drew his mouth into a hard line.

    "Please, let me set you up with a vacant office while you are here," she insisted.

"I can find a place to land," he pressed himself into her office. Rounding her desk, he took a seat in her chair. "This will do nicely. Do you mind?"

Did she mind? Of course she fucking did. This was her domain, her office. But what was she supposed to do, say no? This guy controlled her paycheck, and now she had to play nice with the devil. Even if that devil looked damn good in a suit and tie. She hated herself for undressing him with her eyes.

He was vain, offensive, and downright belligerent; the male version of her self.

"Let me just grab my things, and I'll get out of your way," she huffed as she approached her desk.

"You don't like me very much, do you?" Luca sneered, as he cringed cracking his neck.

"At the risk of getting fired, or worse, I choose not to answer that. Besides, something tells me you would use my words against me if push came to shove." She bent down to pick up her briefcase, USB flash drive, and cell, unplugging her laptop and charger. "Do you mind passing me my purse over there?" She pointed to his side.

"Not at all
MS
. Harper," he detailed emphasizing the
MS
a little too heavily.

"What's your deal? Are you one of those egomaniacs that gets high off of smelling people's fear?" she finally balls'd up.

"So, you fear me?" he asked as his smile turned bleak.

"No, because your cockiness offsets the terror you're trying to push off on me right now," she growled as she went to snatch her handbag from his fingers.

Luca gripped the handle, refusing to let go, as Vivienne scuffed at his rudeness. Giving a gentle tug, he finally let go, refusing to break eye contact with her. But, there it was, that same self-righteous smirk on his lips. She could tell he got off on being the authoritative figure, but he had another thing coming if he thought he was going to intimidate Vivienne Harper.

"I'm going to head home now, if you don't mind," she affirmed, envisioning her plush pajamas, tall glass of red, and a Grey's Anatomy marathon.

"But it’s seven o'clock," he spoke up, seemingly a little discouraged that the banter would seize to exist for the night.

"And? Our offices closed at five."

"Any particular reason you stayed till seven?" he queried.

"I usually stay later. We have a magazine to publish after all. I need to make sure all the puzzle pieces are in place before I'm satisfied."

"Fascinating." He drummed his fingers across his chin.

"If you say so. I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Manning." She turned on her heels to exit the office.

Before she made it one step, Luca shouted from her chair, "Have dinner with me tonight!"

"Excuse me?" She stopped abruptly.

"You heard me. Have dinner with me."

"And, why would I do that?" She questioned his motives, as if he weren't on a corporate level.

"Because I'm higher ranked then you, and I'm asking nicely," he indicated with a grin.

"This is you asking nicely? I'd hate to hear what you sound like when you're not so charming." She cocked a sideways grin, letting out a chuckle.

"Let's hope you never have to find out." He stared at her.

His steely glare sent chills down her spin as her brain took control of the situation, "No."

"Why not?" he pushed.

"Do I really need an excuse to say no? Goodnight. See you tomorrow... Boss."

This man was going to ruin her.

 
V
iv sat
in her car for what felt like forever, contemplating whether she had made the right decision to say no or not. No, she definitely made the correct judgment. Theoretically, Luca was her boss, regardless if he was in the office on a daily basis. Surely, that had to be in the company policy somewhere.

    Viv had never had to address inter-office relationships before. For all she knew, it happened all the time, but she was far too busy to notice. Frankly, there were a lot of things that most likely went on behind her back that she wasn't aware of.

    She was one hundred percent a Type-A personality. Her motto, "If you want it done suitably, do it yourself." The only people she seemed to trust to get the job done were Ariel, Sam and Quinn. Yes, Quinn was an intern, but, boy, did she hustle. She saw a lot of herself in that girl. She never had to question whether things were getting taken care of when these girls were around.

    Viv wished she had girlfriends like Ariel, Sam and Quinn. She was only ten years older than the girls, but thirty-five was the new twenty. She knew. She wrote the article about it when her, then, editor dropped the ball. In fact, she didn't have any female friends at all. She had secluded herself for most of her adult life to focus on her career; she didn't have time.

    Much like her female friends, or lack thereof, she certainly did not have time for romance or boyfriends for that matter. A time or two, she would let a man take her home from a bar, but those nights were few and far between. Maybe it was time to change her habits.

    She didn't try to be uptight; it was ingrained in her bones. She was raised in a military family, where excellence was to be expected. Growing up in a cramped house taught her to strive at whatever she did in order to stand out amongst her siblings. She yearned for her father's approval, but there was always something that could be better, something to improve upon.

    Vivienne felt, if she excelled, perhaps the verbal abuse wouldn't be as bad. It only drew attention toward her misgivings, though. While her siblings took the tongue lashes with stride, she begged. She had done anything to make her father proud of her. Maybe, on that day, he would take her into his arms and say he loved her. Instead, she was constantly reprimanded.

    Her sister, June, had once asked her why she kept trying to please the one person who seemed to hate their family. Her only response, "I just want him to love me the way I love him." 

    As she grew older, and moved on to college, she realized what a buffer she really had been for her siblings. When she would come home on breaks, which was not often, she would cringe at seeing how her absence had affected her siblings. They cowered when she went to hug them, or didn't speak at all.

    Her need to succeed only drove her in college. She needed to make something of herself to get her siblings out of there. Once she had landed a job where she could make decent money, she flew her siblings, Mia, June and Shawn to their aunt's house in Indiana. Her aunt was devastated once she realized what was going on. She took them in without hesitation. Sometimes, the bruises are not on the outside, but scarred from within. She would never forgive herself for not being there to protect them more.

She supposed this was exactly why she was so lethal with her employees: fear of failing and letting people down.

    Her fear of commitment, or relationships in general, partly stemmed from her inability to love herself. She never loved anyone more than her father and, even then, he never reciprocated that love. Why should she give her love away again if she wasn't going to get it back in return? It seemed a little ridiculous to waste her time on something so futile.

    The only one to stir those deep cited feelings she kept buried was a man sitting in her office right now. It may not be love, but if was something she was not familiar with. Most of her encounters with men were short-lived or cut short before someone got attached. Never once had she got the tingles in her gut for anyone, nevertheless someone who made her clit throb and her heart race.

    He was the unattainable, though. The Boss. The one person she couldn't just sleep with and throw away the next day. He would be a constant reminder of what a disappointment she had become, even as an adult. Where she had allowed her heart to control her destination on achievement.

    He would destroy that for her, and not even bat an eye. That's the type she pegged him for. The type to call her bluff, and then squash her with his foot. No. She certainly did not need that in her life. So, why was she still thinking about him?