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Prologue

Carina Conte stared into the flickering flame of her homemade campfire and reminded herself she wasn’t crazy

She was just a woman in love

Her hand trembled around the piece of paper The violet fabric book of love spells nestled in the grass beside her feet She glanced around and hoped to God her family didn’t wake She’d promised her sister-in-law she’d never atteie didn’t need to know Tucked toward the back of the property, the scents of crackling burnt wood and sweet crocus filled her nostrils, and she prayed the firelight wouldn’t reveal her location

Carina glanced down at the page Okay, tiet upset She quickly recited the words to summon the powers of female earth to conjure her a man with all the qualities written on her list

Then she threw the paper in the fire

Lightness flowed through her and she let out a relieved sigh Done Now, all she had to do was be patient She wondered how long Earth Mother usually waited to bestow her gift Of course, she’dlist of qualities, her list held the power of one single name The name of the man she’d been in love with her whole life, the man who looked upon her as a little sister, the man orldly and sexy and dated some of the ue-tied during the day and wracked her body with hot-blooded need during the night

Maximus Gray

Carina waited until the entire paper turned to ash, then dumped the bucket of water onto the fire She cleaned up with quick, efficient movements, scooped up the fabric book, and rass tickled her bare feet, and her white nightgown billowed around her like a ghost A sense of excitement shivered down her spine as she snuck back to her room She slid the book back into the drawer and crawled into bed

Finally, it was done

Chapter One

"I’ve hired a new associate She’ll be under your direction, and you will be responsible for her training"

Max cut his gaze to the s prickled at the announces under the conference table, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and quirked a brow He’d worked endless hours and sweat blood to get the faie, the US branch of Italian-based La Dolce Faround, and da to replace me, boss?"

More like a brother than a boss, Michael Conte shot hi after me to kick my ass? No such luck You need help with the expansion"

Max sher thanwith your wife? Good thing you loved her, or you would’ve been screwed"

"Funny, Gray The wedding wasn’t the problem It was your doubts about my wife that truly screwed us up"

Max winced "Sorry Just trying to protect a friend froie now She’s strong enough to take your crap"

"Yeah, now it’s like a mutual admiration club between you two"

"Better than war So, who’s the hotshot co in?"

"Carina"

Max snapped his ot to be kidding me--isn’t she still in school?"

Michael poured hiraduated last May with her MBA fro at Dolce di Notte"

"Our competitor?"

Michael s to conquer the world like us, my friend But I can trust them to teach her basic skills in the bakery business I wanted her to train with Julietta but she refuses to lag in her older sister’s shadow She’s been begging me to come to America and her internship is up It is time she now join the family company Capisce?"

Ah, hell Yeah, he understood Max was being reassigned to babysitting duty for the youngest sister of the clan Sure, he loved her like a sibling, but her tendency to burst into tears over eo ith business Max shuddered What if he hurt her feelings and she crumbled? This was a bad idea all around

"U You always said she’s capable with figures, and I don’t think ot a crazy schedule and I’ive her to someone else"

His friend shook his head "Eventually, I will move her to CFO But for noant her with you She needs to learn proper ie works You’re the only one I trust to et in trouble You’re family"

The simple words slammed the last nail into his vampire home Family Michael had always taken care of him, and he’d proven himself worthy He’d also dreamed of a place carved out just for him The peak of the food chain, so to speak No one had ever questioned his job as CEO, but lately he wondered ifthe prized Conte blood in his veins hurt his position Contracts were teotiated every three years He craved a more permanent place in the empire he helped build, and the expansion of three more bakeries could be his croels If he did his job well, he’d secure hiht beside Michael--as a per about a young girl fresh from business school would only distract hiainst his lower lip Perhaps Michael needed to be reminded of how critical his efforts were for the coes, he’d be sure to highlight her deficiencies and young age, all the while keeping her under his so-called protection After the expansion, Max intended to approach Michael about partnership Carina may be able to help his cause, especially if he mentored her and she depended on his feedback