Chapter 7 - The Uninvited Guest
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The shelter went dead quiet as Lorenzo walked through the front doors. The usual barking seemed to drop in volume, as if the dogs themselves sensed the apex predator entering the room.
He wore a dark charcoal suit without a tie, the top two buttons of his crisp white shirt undone. He looked incredibly dangerous standing on the scuffed linoleum floor.
Sarah practically stopped breathing behind the reception desk.
Hannah gripped her mop handle, trying to steady her nerves as Lorenzo walked directly toward her.
"Mr. Moretti," Hannah said, keeping her voice professional. "If you're here to offer me a check again, my answer hasn't changed."
Lorenzo stopped three feet away. His dark eyes slowly swept over her, taking in the messy bun on top of her head, the slight flush on her cheeks, and the way her worn jeans hugged her generous hips perfectly.
"I am not here to offer you a check, Hannah," Lorenzo said smoothly. His deep voice sent a vibration straight to her core.
"Then why are you here?"
Lorenzo reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick manila folder, placing it on the reception desk.
"I fired Nero's handler," Lorenzo stated. "And the backup handler. And the entire training staff. I refuse to let anyone near him who might have been compromised."
"That's a good start," Hannah nodded cautiously.
"It leaves me with a problem," Lorenzo continued, stepping closer. "Nero refuses to eat. He has barricaded himself in his enclosure, and he snarls at anyone who approaches. The vet says the stimulant withdrawal is making him highly volatile."
Hannah's heart twisted. She knew exactly what the poor animal was going through. "He needs time. And quiet."
"He needs you," Lorenzo corrected.
Hannah blinked. "Me?"
"He trusts you," Lorenzo said, his gaze intense and unwavering. "I am asking you to come to the estate. To be his primary handler. I will pay whatever salary you demand, and I will double it."
"Lorenzo, I can't just leave the shelter," Hannah argued, gesturing to the kennels. "These animals need me."
Lorenzo didn't miss a beat. He looked at Sarah behind the desk. "If Miss Reed accepts my offer, the Moretti Foundation will fully fund this shelter for the next ten years. New facilities, extra staff, top-tier medical equipment."
Sarah gasped loudly.
Hannah stared at him, completely trapped by his generosity and his blatant manipulation.
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"You don't play fair," Hannah whispered, glaring at him.
Lorenzo smiled, a dark, wicked expression that made her breath catch. "I never play fair when it comes to things I want, Hannah."
