8. Dante

Chapter 8

Dante

“ S he what?”

“She returned to work this morning, Boss. She’s heading there right now.”

I couldn’t believe it.

I was on my way to the office, but I knew if I wasn’t able to talk some sense into her the rest of my day would be rendered useless.

I ended the call and instructed my driver to change my route immediately. In less than half an hour I’d arrived at her literary agency. As I stepped out of the car, I noted there was no reasonable police security in place. Thank God, my men had their eyes on the building and on her. I’d also planted one of my men as a security guard for the building through their supplier company, but having only one man to guard her did not put me at ease at all.

He gave me a discreet nod as I entered the building.

I took the elevator and got off at Zola’s floor. I was the last person any of her colleagues could have been expected to recognize, but given that my photos had been broadcasted over all the TV channels yesterday, I was immediately identified.

“Mr. Moretti?” one of the ladies blurted out with widened eyes. “Um, this is such a surprise. How can we help you?”

“I’m here to see Zola Leone,” I said and her eyes seemed to widen even further.

“Um sure, certainly, I’ll get her for you.”

The only issue ahead of me was getting Zola to listen to me. It wasn’t going to be a small feat but I had to try until I got through to her. In memory of her father.

While I waited I called my secretary and asked her to shift all my meetings for the next couple of hours. Fifteen minutes passed but Zola didn’t show up. I wasn’t ready to spend any more time waiting. There were other ways to reach her. I got to my feet and was about to leave when the CEO of the agency appeared out of nowhere and hurried over.

I recognized her from the brief search I had ordered of the company.

“Mr. Moretti.” She approached with a smile, her curly dark hair bouncing all around her.

I accepted her handshake, then she ushered me into her office.

“What an honor it is to have you here,” she gushed, leading me to the seat in front of her desk.

I remained patient and politely listened to what she had to say.

Her cheeks were flushed and she was wringing her hands nervously. “I just wanted to extend my sincerest apologies for what is happening to you. The media sure has a way of painting everything and everyone in a negative light. I didn’t know you were personally connected to Miss Leone, although um … as we have learned her father was your lawyer.”

“I don’t have a personal connection to her,” I replied. “I only had one with her father. I came here today to speak to her about some urgent issues, but since I haven’t been able to see her, I’ll find another way to contact her.”

She studied me, the smile on her face faltering slightly before she leaned forward and I knew there was an uncomfortable question she wanted to ask.

“I have several appointments today so if you have nothing further to say I’ll take my leave."

“Oh no,” she immediately jumped up. I looked at the near panic in her eyes with interest.

“Um, I guess there’s no delicate way to put this. I just … Miss Leone has been with us for a couple of years now and while we do immensely appreciate her talent … due to the recent developments we also can’t help but be um … be concerned for the safety of our office. Especially now she has returned to work. We offered to put her on paid leave for a little while so she could recover and get her family affairs in order, but she insisted that she needed to work to keep her mind off things so we had no choice but to accept. Um … I’m ready to put my foot down and insist that she leave if there is a solid reason to believe her presence here might put the rest of the office in danger since the trial her father was handling … yours, is still un?”

I cut her off, unable to deal with her rambling any further.

“Are you asking me if you should fire her?”

She attempted to smile. “Well …”

My answer was simple. “If you’re asking if her presence here poses a risk to the safety of your office then my answer is yes. As to whether you have to fire her or not that is up to you. That is your company’s decision and not mine.”

She stared at me.

“Um … but if you were to give a recommendation?”

“It’s best that she not be here,” I replied bluntly. “At least for the time being.”

An awkward silence struck the room as I got to my feet. She did the same, but before I could leave, she had another request for me.

“This might be a bit forward, Mr. Moretti but this is my card,” she murmured, coming around the desk. “After the trial concludes, I might come knocking at your door. I hope you’ll be able to grant us an audience. We’re just … we’re hoping to get your side of the story.”

I raised an eyebrow. “My side of the story?”

“Yes,” she replied. “In book form, of course. We want to represent you.”

I watched her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think what’s happening is entertaining enough to be told to anybody. Have a nice day.”