Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Not knowing what’s waiting for me only makes my apprehension worse. I resist the urge to fan myself as my skin turns clammy and hot despite the cold air blasting from the AC.
As we near Manhattan, the scenery turns familiar. The view is both reassuring and frightening. I left New York City for reasons that still traumatize me, and coming back isn’t easy because it means I have to face my demons. At least I know where I am, not that I’m able to escape Dante.
Downtown, Reino pulls into an underground parking lot. Dante gets my door. I’m surprised to see ten or more men waiting there, all armed.
I look at Dante quickly when he helps me out of the car.
“Don’t worry.” He takes my arm again, locking his fingers around my bicep as if he’s worried that I’ll run. “They’re mine.”
The men escort us to an elevator. Five stay in the parking lot while the others and Reino accompany us.
We get out on the top floor. The sign on the double glass doors reads Morici Holdings. Dante uses his thumbprint on a fingerprint access control reader on the wall to unlock the doors. We step into a large reception area with cream-colored sofas and glass side tables but no welcome desk.
A self-service health bar takes up one corner. The fridge is stocked with bottles of juice and water. A commercial Italian coffee machine stands on the counter. Baskets hold an array of fruit and individually wrapped muffins. A few bar stools are placed in front of the counter. Various potted plants and trees create a green space at the back while the continuous, gentle trickling of water from an indoor fountain is soothing.
Despite the Zen ambience, I’m anything but calm as Dante leads me down a hallway past an open space with a few scattered desks to a big glass-encased room at the back. The blinds are down, preventing me from seeing inside.
Dante made me wear the Rolex. I check the time. It’s after six, which means the staff who work here have already left. The floor seems to be vacant except for the woman who exits the big room and walks toward us with a brisk pace, her stilettos clicking over the polished hardwood floor.
She’s dressed in a red two-piece suit with nails and lipstick to match. Glossy, raven-black hair hangs like a curtain down her back. Her bronze skin is as flawless as her makeup. A dainty gold flower stud adorns her nose. Long lashes frame eyes so dark they seem to be bottomless.
She meets us halfway across the floor, her gaze direct and friendly. If this were high school, I’d want to be her friend.
Ignoring Dante, she offers me a broad smile. “Miss Teszner, I’m so pleased to meet you.”
She knows who I am? I steal a sidelong glance at Dante who stands like a statue next to me.
“If you’re wondering how I know your name, I made your hotel reservation. Naturally, Dante told me he’d be bringing you with him to the office tonight.”
He did? He obviously tells her more than he tells me.
She extends a hand. “I’m Penny, Dante’s assistant.”
I shake her hand. “Please, call me Tatiana.”
She rolls her eyes in Dante’s direction. “I would if my boss wouldn’t kill me.”
“Cut the dramatics, Penelope,” Dante grumbles.
She hooks her arm through mine, drawing me away from Dante as she leads me toward the big room. “I hope you’re not too tired after the journey. Would you like to freshen up?”
“I’m good, thank you.”
“We have an excellent choice of refreshments. Are you hungry? The spirulina muffins are a great choice if you’re sporty like Dante, but my favorite are the black velvet ones.” She winks. “You can see it on my hips, can’t you?” We stop in front of the office. “I can get you a cappuccino or a latte to go with that.”
I take an immediate liking to her. “That’s kind, thanks, but I’m not hungry or thirsty.”
“Are you sure?” She studies my face like my mom used to do whenever she told me I was losing too much weight. “We also have freshly squeezed mango juice or mint-infused sparkling water. Personally, I’m a fan of the cucumber water. The herbal tea selection is extensive if you prefer that to coffee.”
“I’m fine, really.”
Taking my elbow, Dante pulls me to him. “She said no, Penelope.”
Penelope shakes her head. “Jesus, Dante. Don’t be such a jerk. I’m just making sure.”
“You can go home now,” he says coolly. “Thanks for waiting.”
She clicks her tongue and pats my hand. “If you need anything, don’t bother to ask him. Just call me. And if he doesn’t give you the number, it’s listed.”
After directing an accusing glare at Dante, she takes her leave.
Reino opens the door. Dante leads me inside a spacious boardroom with an oval table and at least twenty chairs. A slender, attractive man sits at the end of the table, an empty cup and one of those famous muffins half-eaten in front of him. He’s wearing a three-piece dove-grey suit that matches the color of his hair.