Accardi (Genevieve and Matteo) by Allison Franklin novel Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Matteo knew the moment she recognized him. The slight gasp that escaped her pink lips as they parted. The widening of her eyes to circles, magnified by the glasses she wore perched haphazardly on her nose. The way her fingers curled around the edge of the table as if she were one whisper away from crumbling to the floor. Matteo smiled, sat back in his reclined position and winked.

A slow creeping of color rose from the open portion of her white button down. The delicious color crept up her chest, into her neck and along her cheekbones. He could feel the eyes of his men on him, wondering what was happening. He knew most of them had never seen him smile before, especially at a woman. He ignored them though, focused in on her physical reaction to being in front of him again, at

his mercy.

“Gen,” her associate whispered as she tugged on the waist band of the skirt hugging Genevieve’s curves. The woman, Charlotte, let out a nervous laugh and glanced around the table of men. “Gen,” she whispered more harshly, tugging at her elbow this time.

Geneveive wrenched her eyes away from Matteo’s stare. She swayed slightly as if disoriented and ran a hand through her dark hair.

“I–I’m so sorry, I…” Genevieve picked up her pen from the table and tapped it twice on the wood. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, she’d regained her senses. She looked at the other men with an aura that screamed ‘female drill sergeant sick of taking the new male recruits‘ shit‘. “I apologize. Again, my name is Genevieve. I’ve been working on your case and I am

here to report my findings. Now…”

Gen turned to face the screen projected against the wall, giving him a nice view of her tight waist and wide hips. He remembered what those hips felt like pressed against his own. He shifted in his seat, trying to hide his stiffening dick. He pinched his thigh and drummed

his fingers on the table as she went through her process and relayed the payments and their sources. While he listened, following her

train of thought in discovery already knowing where it would lead, he glanced over to Marco who was taking diligent notes. Feeling his

gaze, Marco glanced up. Matteo raised a brow and Marco shrugged with a playful smirk. He was impressed with her too. Matteo tapped the table twice and narrowed his eyes at the bent head of his employee. He would have to nip that in the bud.

“Having discerned these four particular discrepancies, I was able to trace their origin to a casino in Colorado, a charitable organization for

children with leukemia and, lastly, two different employee payrolls.”

“Who are the employees?” Marco asked.

Gen smirked. “They don’t exist.” She gripped the back of her chair with both hands. “That is how he or she was able to get the most

money from your accounts to their own. There are no real employees, therefore, no taxes, no healthcare, no HR involved. He was able to syphon most of the money and sign the checks himself.”

“Simple enough,” Marco said with a shake of his head as he scribbled something down on his notepad.

“There’s one other thing,” Gen mentioned. She turned back to the projector and flipped to the next screen. “Here. There is an issue I

believe needs to be addressed in regards to…” She looked down at her own notes, traced down the page with her nail and over to read

what she was looking for. Her face softened and Matteo noticed the hint of a smile play on her lips. “The Danbury Race Track in Atlanta,” Gen said. “There are a few questionable amounts of money coming into the track. Millions pass through nearly every week.” Marco stiffened and his friendly expression shifted to the more recognizable one of irritation. Matteo leaned forward, interest piqued. “I would need access to more of your books to confirm, but I believe there may be some questionable transactions occurring and…”

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Chapter Fifteen

“So what, you think your life Harvard degree makes you some kind of genes who can pinpoint every little erre?” Maren asked

Guia Tuve narrowed. “I didn’t go to Harvard, Sir*

Marco laughed, a trait Matteo knew meant he was furious beyond belief. “I’m sorry, Duke? Northwestern? Or is it you just assume becauLE

of who we are that we are doing something illegal?”

Gen took a deep breath. Her associate touched her arm in warning but Gen merely brushed it off. “I can assure you, Sir, my education has

nothing to do with the problem at hand, I am more than capable of discerning patterns without the help of a $200,000 degree. As for my hlases I avoid those by having my friend here redact transaction details, company affiliations and names,” she hissed with a pointed look

at Matteo, the first one since the meeting began. “I understand your unease but nothing I’ve seen would indicate the transactions are illegal, merely suspicious. Judging by your reaction I’m guessing it’s your job to make these transactions seem less so. If you’d like, my community college education can give you some pointers or you can use the information I’ve already gathered to better your methods. Is

there anything else you’d like to question or may I continue?”

“Please,” Matteo said, his voice husky to his own ears. “Continue.”

Gen kept her glare focused on Marco. “Gladly. It’s your accountant.” She let out a sigh as if her big reveal had been ruined. “From my approximation he has stolen $12,455,872.43 over the last five years. I recommend a call to the authorities. I will leave you with Charlotte here to discuss your next options. We hope you will allow us to help you through this transition while you look for a new accountant.”

Gen started gathering her things and Charlotte gave her a questioning look.

Matteo stood and Gen rushed to gather the rest of her belongings. He started walking and she turned and fled. He chuckled as he watched

her run from the room. As he walked toward her, eyes focused on his target, he was suddenly stalled by her associate.

“Mr. Accardi, I would love to have a chat with you in my office,” Charlotte said, clasping her hands together in front of her.

Matteo rubbed his jaw and watched Marco exit the room. He caught up to Gen who practically leapt out of her skin only to settle and

then simmer when she realized who had stopped her.

“I believe I can make arrangements with Miss Sinclair,” Matteo said, trying to step around her.

“Oh, well, actually,” Charlotte began, touching his arm to stop him. Matteo suppressed an annoyed groan. “My partner is more about the

numbers whereas I make the contracts and settle with clients. Any negotiation you would like to do can go through me.”

Matteo looked down at the woman who beamed up at him. He noticed the sizeable ring on her finger and the lack of flirtation in her

voice. He looked back up at Gen and Marco to find Gen already looking at him. She jerked her eyes away quickly.

“Alright then, lead the way,” Matteo said, stepping back and ushering his hand out for her to go first.

“Great, follow me,” Charlotte said. “Gen is an amazing asset,” she continued as they walked from the room. Matteo dug his hands in his

pockets as they closed in on Gen and Marco. “She has personally trained each of our associates and we have every faith in them. If you’re

looking for someone to replace your accountant, there are several who I believe would do a phenomenal job. We can help them relocate to

New York to be at your disposal.”

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Chapter Fifteen

心

Matteo’s stops alman fchered. He glanced down at the best at the strawberry blondy. As they plevied Mires and Cue he lifter Marri While her with goretions about what she’d found and the heavy sigh of frostration Gen related. He noticed Her tiffans when from watig

whind her. He took his right hand out of his pocket and skimmed his knuckles against her lower back. She divered at his foİ. He smiled to himself, wishing he could see her face but trying to play it cool by not looking back.

11 am sure there le menne here who can help me with my needs. I would certainly love to have them at my disposal he needman plan forming

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