19. Salvatore
SALVATORE
Ophelia walks into my penthouse, keeping her eyes low.
“Here,” I say, guiding her over to the window. “You should take a look at Central Park from this angle.”
“Why?” she says. “So you can tell me how far down the drop is?”
“You look like you could use some perspective.”
Ophelia looks unimpressed. “Is it really necessary for me to be here?”
“For the rest of today, yes. A charity event is being hosted tonight at Wall Street, a way for us to raise money for the affected families and provide hospital treatment for the three victims who are in critical condition.”
“I thought there were two victims.”
I dip my chin, letting the silence speak for me.
She seems distressed about something. Watching a dead body fall to the ground can be a jarring experience. I was seventeen the first time I saw my first dead body, but it was just a body. Their head had already rolled away.
“None of this is your fault.”
“I ran away. I shouldn’t have listened to you.”
“Well, I’m glad you did,” I say, walking over to the coffee table, unscrewing a bottle of vodka. “I will not see you die.”
Ophelia watches me while I pour myself a glass. “Straight vodka? Are you kidding?”
“No,” I say, taking the biggest sip.
“I could use a glass of that. Or the entire bottle.”
“You’re not drinking away your sorrows.” I screw the cap back onto the bottle, setting it aside on top of a cabinet, far out of reach.
“As my executive assistant, you’re attending this fundraiser with me tonight.
There’ll be plenty of chances to drink and pay your respects then.
For now, I need you to forgive yourself for something that is not even in your control and relax. ”
Ophelia does the opposite, pacing around my penthouse. “Do you always carry a knife?”
“I’m the leader of the Moretti mafia, sweetheart,” I say, meeting her across the kitchen island. “I’m always armed.”
“Will you be armed tonight at the fundraiser?”
“The new leader of the Crows is making this very difficult for me. After paying the police station a visit, I must tread with caution, not giving them a reason to be suspicious."
“So no knife?”
“Not tonight, no.”
“And the police just… let you go?”
“Power can be a very priceless thing. The more important you are, the less suspicious you become.”
Ophelia watches me from the other side of the room. My sunshine can wear muted colors, looking like she has rolled straight out of bed, but she will always sparkle like the sun.
Sun rays fall around her. She looks angelic, too good to be true.
Seeing her outside of the office is making me excited.
My cock stirs in my pants as I think about all the surfaces in here I could bend her over.
The couch. The floating staircase. I could even take her to bed.
She would be the first woman who’s ever been in it.
I never bring women back here. In the past, I would go to their place. My life is personal. It only belongs to me…
I’m drowning in the deep end by bringing her back here, crossing my own boundaries. As I stare into her ocean blue eyes, I can already feel myself reaching rock bottom.
It will only be a matter of time before I drag her under…
But what other fucking choice do I have? Either I fire her from the company, or I keep her in arm’s reach. At least this way, I can keep a close eye on her and make sure she doesn’t get herself killed.
I skull the rest of the vodka, enjoying the sharp burn, but even vodka can’t fully take the edge off. Ophelia on the other hand…
“Don’t you think the fundraiser is a little insensitive?”
“No,” I deadpan, pouring myself another glass of vodka. “I need to pay my respects while showing this new Crow leader that I will not back down.”
“And kill more of your innocent employees as a result?”
“There are far worse things at stake here, Ophelia,” I tell her, sipping vodka. “The Crows have the power to collapse the entire city as young boys fall weak to manipulation. David Hale knows this better than anyone.”
“David Hale?” repeats Ophelia. “As in the charity-event organizer who is raising millions of dollars for orphans?” Ophelia’s expression shifts, something clocking in her brain. “You know him?”
“We were in the Crows together. I reached out to him earlier. He’s in a similar position to me. He used his skills to build a very powerful, corrupt empire.”
“So, the philanthropist thing is all a lie?”
“To an extent. He believes in the cause. Of course, he believes in the paychecks more, but he has offered to help me tonight, and has already donated thousands to the cause.”
“Thousands?”
“Like I said, sweetheart,” I say, necking my second glass of vodka. “People are determined to keep this quiet. We’ll pay tribute to the victims and their families’, show our support, and make sure this new leader knows exactly who they are dealing with.”
“And why do I need to attend?”
“Because you’re my assistant. And because you secretly love being seen next to me.” I wink. “A dress has already been picked out for you. I’m sure you will love it.”