“It’s a general courtesy to knock before you enter someone’s office, Emerald. You don’t just barge in like that.” Arthur’s voice held displeasure.

“She doesn’t need to knock to enter her own office, Arthur.” Ace’s response was quick. Though his tone was full of authority, he was polite.

Arthur’s brows raised. “Her office?”

“Everything that’s mine is my Rosebud’s. I thought you were aware of that already.” He tilted his head.

While Arthur’s face tightened as he flashed a smile of understanding at Ace, mine turned red. Even though he had shown his affection towards me before the world so many times, I still managed to blush whenever he did that.

“I’ll see you later.” With that, Arthur threw me another glance and left.

Turning back, I found the stranger’s eyes on me, watching me with raised brows. Standing, he strolled towards me and gave me his hand for a shake.

“Hello. I’m Duncan. It’s very nice to meet you,” he said in his deep Italian accent. Icy blue eyes held curiosity as they watched me.

With six feet something height, strong built structure, sharp jaw, dark brown locks, and an extremely handsome face, he looked like every girl’s dark fantasy.

If I wasn’t already absolutely lost in my Greek god, I’d have a crush on him too. Just like my best friend. I could understand why she couldn’t take her eyes off him that night. But for me, he was just a handsome face. My eyes were only for my Greek caveman.

I could already feel his flaming glare on this Italian.

Smiling, I shook his hand. “Hi! I’m Emerald, Emerald Hutton. Nice to meet you too.”

“I know. I saw you at the reception. Though we couldn’t meet personally. My friend here was too busy dragging his beautiful lady away from the party to introduce her to anyone. ”He cast a glance at Ace, whose jaw was tight at our still joined hands.

“Enough of shaking hands, back off now, Sylvano.” Greek accent was deep.

Smirking, he retracted his hand and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Easy there, fratello! Taken women isn’t my thing. No matter how stunning they are.”

Heat crept up my cheeks while my caveman’s nostrils flared.

“Duncan De Sylvano, I’d like you to leave right now if you want our partnership to keep going,” he warned, leaning towards his desk.

Duncan’s smirk stayed intact. Both powerful men held each other’s gaze. “So, what I heard is true, then. Ruthless, cold Achilles Valencian finally got his salvation. I was wondering why fewer people were getting fired around your companies. Because now the beast has someone to tame him.”

Ace cocked his head. “Beast? Look who’s talking. Doesn’t the ruthless word suit you more than me?”