Scandalous Heroes Box Set by Serenity King, Pepper Pace, Aliyah Burke, Erosa Knowles, Latrivia Nelson, Tianna Laveen, Bridget Midway, Yvette Hines Read Free Book Online Page A

sure.” Kyra shrugged. “Wait.”
    Renaldo paused.
    “First you must tell me my name,” she said. Did she know the effect she had on him? He knew when a woman flirted and this young ripe beauty seemed intent on doing just that. Renaldo dialed back in his memory bank and remembered the pencil neck guy who screeched her name in the office. He assumed the visit was unexpected or undesired by the flushed manner in which she spoke to him. Renaldo watched as she pulled the man away to speak to him privately, mildly amused.
    “Well? Do you remember?” she poked him in the chest.
    Renaldo frowned. He looked down at where she poked him and then into her eyes. What kind of courtship was this? She blinked those doe-like eyes at him and he realized it was her cute sense of humor. Interesting . American women were quite interesting. Renaldo smiled. “Your name is Kyra,” he answered with a polite nod.
    “Very good.” Kyra grinned. “And your English is good too.”
    “Grazie,” Renaldo replied.
    Kyra expelled a long breath. “Everyone’s here huh?” she asked. She glanced toward the event room and delayed them further. “The Battaglia women are in there, aren’t they?”
    Though Kyra looked like a movie star she chewed on her bottom lip and fidgeted with the beaded strap to her purse with reserved shyness. Renaldo liked the tension in her manner. It made her real, instead of just the fantasy he conjured as he undressed her in his mind. He had many girlfriends. He didn’t lead the lifestyle for a wife or something more permanent. And he never indulged his desires while on the job.
    He offered his arm. She graciously slipped hers around it and he walked her to the doors of the private dining room. Tino gave a single nod of his head at Renaldo and opened the door.
    “Uh, thanks,” Kyra said once they entered.
    Renaldo released her. What choice did he have? She left his side without another word. There had to be at least a hundred employees in attendance. The arrangement wasn’t the classic setting for a formal dinner. Instead of just a long table and chairs, the suite had a lounge area that faced a cozy fireplace for before dinner socializing. The employees kept their distance from the Battaglias. Only the top in management were seated near them. Kyra joined the exclusive gathering without pause or consideration. Renaldo appreciated her bravery.
    The flirtatious moment shared between them, though brief, lingered in his psyche and he stole one final glance to his lady in jade. She smiled graciously at the others and took a seat.
     
    “It’s such a pleasure to meet you again, Catalina, Marietta. I’m a fan, I mean I respect your work with Mirabella, uh, and the company.” Kyra said. “I’ve seen your work with Fabiana’s too. Very nice.”
    “Did you make those shoes?” Marietta asked.
    Kyra glanced down at her feet. “I did. I call them my Stellas.”
    “Oh Kyra is so cute. She loves to staple cloth and crystals on dime store shoes,” Bette chuckled. “One day she came in with a pair she had colored with markers.”
    The laughter of the other managers made Kyra’s cheeks burn hot with shame. However hurt she was by their mockery it did not compare to the startled disappointment she felt to see Bette as the leader. Bette sipped from her martini glass, her stare focused on Kyra above the rim. She then continued. “Kyra knows not to take any of our materials though for her special projects with those drag queens.”
    “Drag queens?” Catalina glanced over to Marietta. “Che cosa?” she asked Marietta.
    “Drag queens are men who dress like women,” Marietta said.
    “Oh!” Catalina said and her gaze swung back to Kyra as if seeing her differently.
    Kyra wished to disappear. She had no cute comeback or witty remark to make. She was too hurt and embarrassed to say a word. Even Mr. Tate stared at her with open hostility. What had she done wrong? Maybe she should have stayed back with the junior staff