House of Morgan

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 07-29-2025

Publisher: Love in a book

Anthony Morgan is the last man I should ever work for. Too bad I don’t have a choice.

It started with an email from Jennifer Gonzales. It ended with me walking into a boardroom face-to-face with the man who once loved her. The same man who looks at me like I’m a threat to everything he built.

And maybe I am.

He’s cold. Controlled. Italian billionaire in an Armani suit, hiding bruises behind bank accounts. He thinks I’m still loyal to my former best friend—the woman who broke his brother’s heart and stole something she should’ve never touched.

But I’m not here for Belle. I’m here to do a job.

Security. Protection. No distractions.

Except Anthony Morgan is a distraction.

His eyes strip me bare. His voice is a seduction I never saw coming. And every time we fight, it feels like foreplay.

Getting too close to him is a mistake. Falling for him? Dangerous.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from war zones and heartbreak… It’s that the most forbidden fire burns the hottest.

And Anthony Morgan is pure flame.

Excerpt

Chapter One

Stepping into the lion's den was supposed to be a metaphor, but the reality hit me like a freight train as I crossed the threshold into the Morgan boardroom. The sharp echo of my heels against the stark, polished marble floor sounded like a countdown, each click amplifying the tension that hung in the air. The room was coldly immaculate, a showcase of the Morgan empire’s power and wealth, yet nothing could compare to the chill radiating from Anthony Morgan’s gaze. His icy stare halted me in my tracks, a force so intense it left me breathless and disoriented. I could almost feel the temperature drop as he scrutinized me, an intruder daring to invade his territory.

I had anticipated this meeting would be challenging. I’d run through every possible scenario in my mind, envisioning resolutions ranging from a simple dismissal to an outright ejection. But facing Anthony’s wrathful glare, I realized how woefully unprepared I truly was for the raw hostility emanating from him. His anger was palpable, a heatwave of intensity that made me question my sanity for even stepping foot in this place. The man I’d never met until today looked ready to hurl me out the window—or worse.

I should have backed out. I’d sensed the mistake the moment his assistant sent the email. But the Morgans were titans, their influence sprawling across the globe. Their business meant success, and failure had never been an option for me. So, I donned my best suit and waded into this viper pit, determined. Now, Anthony’s glacial eyes challenged me to speak first. I envisioned all the ways this could end badly: defenestration, a cement bath, or worse yet, sleeping with the fishes like in those old mobster flicks. Sure, I was being dramatic, but those eyes could freeze lava. I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at the thought of Anthony Morgan’s glare being so potent it could freeze a cup of coffee in seconds. If he ever tried bartending, his signature drink would undoubtedly be the "Frostbite Frappuccino," guaranteed to give customers brain freeze and a shiver down their spine.

Despite the icy atmosphere, I extended my hand and mustered my best smile. “Mr. Morgan, I’m Em Fletcher.”

The air in the room felt thick, almost oppressive, as I stepped inside. The polished mahogany table gleamed under the soft light, reflecting the tension that hung like a shadow between us. Anthony Morgan sat there, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, a fortress of muscle and indifference. I could almost hear the gears grinding in his mind as he assessed me, sizing me up like a prizefighter before the bell rang.

I couldn't shake off the mental image of Anthony Morgan attempting to crack a smile. It seemed as likely as a penguin doing stand-up comedy, entertaining, yet highly improbable. Did he ever crack a smile? It would probably cause a solar eclipse from the sheer rarity of the occasion.

“Em Fletcher,” I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “I’m here for the meeting.”

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to decipher a riddle wrapped in an enigma. The silence stretched between us, thickening with each passing second. I could feel the weight of my past choices pressing down on me and my history with Belle and the Morgans, the loyalty I had once sworn to her.

Who knew that facing down one of the most powerful figures in the business world could also feel like being trapped in an episode of "The Office," complete with awkward silences and exaggerated expressions?

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About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun though she left that for a while to live in New Orleans, Denver and now Pittsburgh. She started single but the husband and then children joined in on the fun. She’s worked in engineering, then lawyer, then teacher, and finally novelist. She refused to one day turn 50 and realize she had nothing but her career and hours at a desk.

During all this time and travel, she always wrote stories to entertain herself or calm down. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, and Victoria spent too many years living other people’s expectations, but when she sat down to see what skill she had that matched what she enjoyed doing, writing became so obvious. The middle school year book when someone wrote in it that one day she’d be a writer made sense when she turned thirty.

She’s always been amazing, adventurous and assured. It’s what gets her through the day.

Her website is www.victoriapinder.com where you can get a free read NOW. Please write as she loves writing back to her fans.

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