Read Online Tommy Gabrini 3: Grace Under Fire (The Gabrini Men Series) by Mallory Monroe - Free Book Online Page A

her, was especially adept at
doing so.   Tommy would stand in the
middle of the room, in deep conversations with various people, but his eyes
kept wandering to Grace.   He would
occasionally check on Sal, who was bored and looked it, but he mainly kept his
sights on Grace.
    To
Grace’s own surprise, she was actually enjoying herself.   Edith was introducing her to other women in
her circle, and they all seemed vivacious and friendly.   And the men who came up to her, though
flirtatious, were nonetheless polite with it.   She even saw Brad Michelin there, who came over and extended his hand.
    “Mrs.
Gabrini,” he said, as they shook, “so good to see you again.”
    “How
are you, Brad?”
    “Good,
thank-you.”
    “I
take it my husband phoned you?”
    “He
did, yes.   He said you have final say and
would get with me once you’ve made your decision.”
    Now
was as good a time as any, Grace thought, especially since he was probably not
as on guard as he would be in an interview setting.   Although, she suspected, men like Brad were
probably always on guard.
    “Tell
me,” she asked, “above all the people I could hire, why should I hire
you?”  
    Brad
smiled.   Her suspicion was right.   “I have a degree in Finance.   I worked for Merrill Lynch for several years.   I owned my own accounting firm for several
more.   And I’ve conducted numerous audits
for your husband, and he has always been pleased with the results.   That was why he recommended me for the job.   Because of how thorough I am.”
    “And
what else?”
    “Excuse
me?”
    “What
else about your background you aren’t telling me?”
    Brad
smiled.   “I don’t understand.”
    “In
other words,” Grace said, studying Brad, “my husband wants you at Trammel to be
his eyes and ears.   Am I right about
that?”   This was the integrity question
for Grace.   She had already worked out
that hiring a man like Brad, whose credentials were good but hardly sterling,
was more about Tommy keeping his reins on her, than Brad being such an
outstanding pick.   She just wanted him to
have the balls to confirm it.
    He
smiled.   “That’s a loaded question, Mrs.
Gabrini,” he said.
    “Is
it a true question, Mr. Michelin?”
    Brad’s
smile dissipated.   “To spy for him?   No.   He’d never do that to you.   To be
a failsafe for you?   A backup if you
will?   Yes.   That’s part of it.”
    Grace
felt a little letdown by the confirmation.   Not because Brad told the truth, she was pleased with that, but because
it was true at all.   “And what part of
your background qualifies you to be, not only CFO, but my backup?”
    He
smiled.   “Let’s just say when Tommy needs
extra muscle, I can hold my own.”
    “An
accountant with swag?”
    Brad
laughed.   “You can say that.”   Then he hesitated.   “So, what do you think?   Am I still in the running to get the job?”
    “To
be my CFO?   No.   I won’t put one of Tommy’s men in that
position.   But I can use a good vice
president, somebody with Tommy’s recommendation.   I could consider you for that position.”
    It
was hardly what Brad had hoped for, but for some reason he was anxious at the
prospect of working closely with her.   He
extended his hand.   “I accept,” he said.
    Grace
was thrown.   She smiled.   “It’s not exactly CFO rank.   Sure you don’t need to think about it?”
    “I’m
positive, Mrs. Gabrini.   You’re a special
lady, I see why Tommy loves you so much. It’ll be my honor to work for you.”
    Grace
shook his hand.   “Okay then,” she
said.   “Welcome aboard.   I’ll have my Human Resources people contact
you with the hiring packet and start date, etcetera.”
    “Very
good,” Brad said.   “And thank-you.”
    “Thank-you
for accepting,” Grace said, as she began to move away from him.
    He
watched her as she left.   Her dress was
so skin tight that it revealed in stark detail the outline of her wondrously
tight