“What does a woman have to do around here to gain such an obscene amount of money?”
He looked her over and smiled.
“It isn’t like that at all. Manchenso’s company is doing very well. He picks and chooses his employees very carefully. He likes you, and Gustavo spoke very highly of you.”
She uncrossed her arms and took a deep breath and then released it.
“Speaking of Gustavo, what exactly is your relationship with him?”
“We’re friends.”
“He thinks there is more there.”
“More?”
Armando moved closer and placed his hand against her cheek. The man was sexy, that was for sure.
“You are a lovely young woman. You have options. Be sure to choose wisely, and that means in both the men you give your heart to and the job you decide to take.”
She was shocked by his words. She totally read into them, as well as the seriousness of his tone. But he quickly released her cheek and stepped back. “Shall we begin the tour? I would hate for us to be late to lunch. There is a lot to see.”
She nodded her head, and then followed him out of the office and back to the large open hall. Henrique was there waiting for them. She had a funny feeling in her belly the ent
ire walk down the hall to another set of doors. In that time, she thought about L.T., Quentin, Deacon, and Axel. Choose my men wisely as well as the position I accept? That wouldn’t be so difficult anymore. The decision has been made for me. Those guys don’t care. They just want to be in control. I’m officially available. The masquerade will be the best time to throw inhibition to the wind and release my inner goddess. Yeah, I like the sound of that. Almost as much as a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar yearly salary. Oh God, there has to be a catch. This couldn’t be that perfect.
She glanced at Armando and he gave her a wink. Well, she sure could get used to being around Armando.
“This is our main headquarters. It’s small, but Manchenso has found that fewer employees who are more than competent and hungry for success can be far better than double the employees and handling mistakes that could be made.”
“Understandable. So how many employees are there in total for the company?”
“As of this morning, forty-nine. Although I’m personally hoping you’ll be number fifty,” he said as he placed his hand on her lower back, and then winked at her. Armando definitely had a way about him. He flirted with confidence but also arrogance. Her feminine instincts devoured each of his lines, and she was truly imagining what it would be like to work here at Armor Con.
“So, can you explain what it is exactly you do here? I mean, I understand that you create and manufacture weapons for the government, but to what extent is your involvement? Do you solely work with government agencies or are you a free enterprise?” she asked, hoping that if she decided to take this job, it might give her better insight into the entire arms dealing operations. Not that she thought Armor Con wasn’t legit. By all the information she could gather through her sources, it was very legit, and Manchenso was considered a patriot of the United States of America.
However, there was an indication of some connection between Eduardo DeLacruz and a scientist who had worked with Armor Con years ago. Guilty by association? She didn’t think so, but that wasn’t her job. The government had people who investigated these things. She just wanted to find a way to identify DeLacruz and kill his fortune.
“Well, we are a free enterprise because we are privately owned and operated. Although affiliated with the U.S. government, we do supply arms to other countries and organizations we deem fit.”
She wasn’t quite expecting that answer. She stopped him as they exited the main area of workers and then stood in front of a glass room filled with scientists. This is where the bulk of their employees seemed to be.
“What types of other countries and organizations do you mean?”
He gave her a soft smile. “Manchenso is an entrepreneur. He creates and continues to produce new weaponry on a regular basis. With the changes in technologies, and the access to materials, chemicals, and scientific data unimaginable years ago, the sky is the limit. Our hope is to have Armor Con’s name on every bit of major weapon used and operated in all the major countries.”
“That means that you’re willing to arm the enemy, does it not?” she asked.
He stepped forward, reached up, and gently pressed a strand of hair away from her cheek.
“You are young, beautiful, newly establishing yourself in a career of sorts. Believe me, someone with more experience and knowledge of the business world, knows that what we do is not illegal, or in any way a means of destroying the very country to which allowed us the opportunity to advance. Manchenso has great plans. He is looking for someone to help reestablish monies, income to be used accordingly with those plans while also gaining interest on that money. We are talking about billions of dollars, Mariah. Won’t you be part of making history along with us?” he asked, then moved his hand along her waist.
She tilted her head up toward him. She felt somewhat aroused by his maturity, his sexy tone and sophistication. He was the total package for a woman bent on succeeding in a man’s business world. He was the right age, the right type, and was filled with charisma and charm.
She relaxed a moment and absorbed all he shared and, of course, the look of want in his eyes.
“I want you to work here with us. I want to teach you so many things. Since the moment I laid eyes on you, Mariah, I knew that our destinies were one.” She swallowed hard.
“Is there a part of this job description where I’m supposed to be accessible to you in some other way than business related?” she asked, hoping to not insult him and come straight out and accuse him of work related sexual harassment. Truth was, the man was so damn fine he could continue being a flirt and she would eat it up. He was that interesting to her.