Sexting My Ex’s Dad (Forbidden Silver Foxes)

33. Elio

33

ELIO

I sit among my business partners, bored out of my mind, as their voices meld into a hum of financial jargon and industry talk. The oil company’s offer to sell us their business seems like a tantalizing opportunity, but I can’t focus on the numbers or the implications. My mind is tethered to Stella March, her vibrant laughter echoing through my thoughts as if she were sitting right beside me.

It’s not like she’s much further than that. And she’s sitting with another man…what the fuck?

“Think about it, Mr. Lombardi,” one partner says, pulling me back into the conversation momentarily. “With this acquisition, we could expand our reach further than ever before.”

I nod, feigning interest, while my mind races with frustration and fury.

This woman should mean nothing to me, yet the idea of her with someone else…it’s enough to make me see red.

What’s so special about him anyways?

It’s a complete coincidence that I’d chosen the same restaurant as Stella tonight, and I’m never a huge believer of fate however what else would I call this?

I’m not easily surprised but walking in and seeing her with another man…I could barely hide the shock on my face. If I hadn’t been accompanied, I would have walked straight over to her and seen the guilt on her face up close.

I’d love to see her scramble for words while I whispered in her ear all the ways I planned on punishing her.

If it were any other woman I wouldn’t care — but this kind of feels like I’d been dumped. And Elio Lombardi doesn’t get dumped.

“Have you considered the environmental impact?” I ask, grasping for any thread of relevance to stay engaged in the discussion although in reality I’m just waiting for the meeting to be over.

“Of course, Elio,” another partner replies. “We’ve been looking into ways to mitigate any potential risks.”

“Good, good,” I murmur, but my attention falters again. Stella occupies every corner of my mind, her presence like a siren song, luring me away from the business at hand. It’s maddening, this relentless tug-of-war between what I should be focusing on and the woman who has inexplicably stolen my thoughts.

She’s going to pay for this.

They keep talking, but I know I’m not going to be able to make any decisions like this so why waste my time.

“Let’s set up a meeting next week to discuss this further,” I propose, attempting to regain control over my wandering thoughts.

They seem shocked by my abruptness, and why wouldn’t they? I’m not the type of man to put off tomorrow what I can do today; however, today, I’ll have to make an exception.

“Sounds like a plan,” says one partner, as others nod in agreement.

This is different for me. Business has always come first.

But right now I have a certain woman to deal with.

When I look up towards her table, she’s gone.