Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
I managed to work up a smile. “You know what? You’re right. What I need is rest so I will take that personal paid leave. I’ll let you know when I’ve healed and recovered enough from my father’s murder to work again. I truly appreciate all your advice and assistance so far. Thank you.”
All the enthusiasm seemed to drain out of her face as she stared at me, but she didn’t dare say anything else.
At first, I felt nothing as I cleared my things and emptied out the desk I’d only set out for the first time that morning. My very own office. Inside I was cold and numb, just like I had been over the last few days. I thought of how it had been coming in this morning and drinking coffee with my other coworkers. They had shown only sincere kindness for me and it had made me feel a little warm inside.
But then that bastard had to come in and ruin it all. I could feel the chill slowly seeping into my bones again.
Great anger swept over me. Had he not done enough damage to me? I wanted to hurt him.
When all my things were in my box, I marched out of my office building and tossed the box into the backseat of my car. I didn’t even give a damn when all those things that I had lovingly collected fell and spilled out and rolled onto the floor. I got into my seat and pulled out my phone. I didn’t know how to reach him, but a quick Google search for his investment company later, I was able to get to his office.
“Dante Moretti’s office,” a crisp voice answered.
“Tell him Zola Leone is on the phone,” I growled.
She went silent for a few seconds.
“I’m afraid Mr. Moretti is occupied at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?”
“Tell him if he doesn’t call me back in the next five minutes I’m coming to his office with a loaded gun and I’m going to kill him. I swear to God I will.”
And with that, I ended the call and tried to calm down, but there was no possible hope of me calming down. I was so fired up it felt as if sparks of electricity were shooting out of my skin.
How dare he? How freaking dare he? The audacity!
I started the ignition and zoomed out of the parking lot.
I decided I really wanted to give Dante a piece of my mind, the angrier the better. I drove to his office building and parked in a reserved parking bay. Slamming the car door, I marched up to the entrance.
Chapter 10
Dante
Iwas catching up with one of the delayed meetings for the day with my financial director when Ellie pushed the intercom button. She knew better than to disturb me during a meeting so it had to be urgent.
“What is it?”
“Zola Leone called. She said that she’ll be here with a loaded gun in five minutes if you don't call her back. Should I contact Security, Sir?"
For the first time in a really long while a smile came to my face. “No. Show her in when she arrives.”
I set down the phone and returned to my meeting, but I couldn’t concentrate. It dawned on me that I was really looking forward to seeing her again.
I ended my meeting and sat looking out of the window at the sea of skyscrapers. She would be annoyed at my interference at her workplace for sure, but I had no choice. She wasn’t taking the very real dangers surrounding her as seriously as I wanted her to.
Half an hour later Ellie announced her arrival. To be honest I was surprised that she had even bothered to stop outside. I’d almost expected her to barge in and point a gun straight at my head.
I tapped my fingers on the table as Ellie showed her in.
“Miss Leone, Sir,” Ellie said and directed her to one of the seats in front of my desk. Ignoring Ellie, she glared at me.
Ellie didn’t linger. She shut the door behind her and I turned my full attention to the woman before me. Her face was pale, and she was dressed in a fitted skirt and linen shirt but all in black. She probably thought she looked as if she was in mourning, she had no idea that she looked like the sexiest woman alive. If the circumstances were different …
“You’re smiling. Is this all amusing to you?” she raged.
“I thought you were bringing a gun,” I said and settled more comfortably into the chair.
“What did you think you were doing?” she asked, and tears of anger and frustration were welling up in her eyes. “Do you know what you took from me today? That job was my last lifeline. I wanted to hold on to it and find a way slowly to stay alive and you took that away. Why?”