The Biggest Win (Casanova Family #1)

Chapter 1

Francesca

“You’re fired.”

“Wait—what? You’re not even giving me a chance to explain.”

“Miss Casanova, we’ve already heard and seen all we need to. We’ve made our decision, and we cannot accept this type of behavior in our office. Now please, quietly gather your belongings. You’ve been paid through the end of the month.”

“But you’re not hearing me… who? I don’t…” I stammer, trying to comprehend what’s happening.

My boss sighs. “Francesca, you’ve been with us for two years now, and we love your work and all your fresh ideas. However, blaming someone else for your shortfalls, taking credit for their work, and trying to pass it off as your own—”

“What?” I gasp.

He shakes his head and mumbles something about upper management. He clears his throat and says, “I just cannot, in good conscience, let this go. There is no room for this in this organization.”

My head is spinning. None of this makes any sense. I didn’t take credit for anything that wasn’t mine.

“Mr. Bloom, I’m so blown away right now I don’t even know what to say. Can I at least ask whose work I’m allegedly stealing? You know me. This is ludicrous.”

Quietly, Mr. Bloom—my boss and mentor for the past two years—says, “Miss Belinsky has already come to us with documentation, Francesca. I’m very sorry, but to avoid an HR issue, I must let you go. I was honestly shocked when Ava came to me, but…” He trails off.

“Can I see it? Whatever she gave you? Please, Mr. Bloom. Let me defend myself,” I plead.

“Francesca, my hands are tied. My boss is putting the pressure on me to handle this.” He stands. “Mr. Goldman—er—I will gladly give you a letter of recommendation, but it will come from me, not this office. We must cut ties. Now please, grab your belongings. I wish you all the best.”

He stands, and I do too. Despite shaking, I manage to move my feet to my desk, clear out my things, add them to the box already waiting, and then walk to my car.

Miss Belinsky, my ass. Ava has had it out for me since day one. I’m not sure why—except that she’s a bitch. She undermines my ideas and flirts with my boyfriend right in front of me.

Nick.

Wait until he hears this.

Maybe he can speak with his father and then go to Mr. Bloom.

His family owns Goldmans PR, and once they sort this out, I’ll get my job back.

I made sure I proved myself before accepting any handout.

I wouldn’t allow his family to just offer me a job without any credentials.

I’ve never stolen ideas. That’s not who I am, and I cannot believe Mr. Bloom wouldn’t even hear me out.

Maybe Nick heard office gossip and he can go to bat for me. I’d love to see these doctored documents I supposedly stole. Surely my boyfriend will be on my side.

I drive home on autopilot, still dazed by what just happened.

I enjoy the PR world and I’m good at it.

I don’t love working for such a large company, but it pays the bills.

I have high-profile clients, and was beginning to make a name for myself.

If word gets out that I was fired for sabotaging someone else, I won’t survive in a new firm.

Public Relations is cutthroat when it comes to landing those sought after clients.

I’ve encountered plenty of smarmy employees over the years, but na?ve me never thought someone would stoop that low as to get me fired.

I have no idea what my next move is if this doesn’t work out.

I pull into our parking garage and snag a spot near the elevator. Lugging my box of belongings, I head toward the door and notice Nick’s car.

Why is he home already?

In the elevator, my adrenaline crashes, leaving exhaustion behind. My thoughts spiral as I fumble with my keys, balancing the box as I push the door open… and freeze.

On the couch that we bought together, is Nick.

And he’s not alone.

Ava Belinsky.

She’s topless, riding him like her life depends on it.

Or maybe it’s just her job.

The box slips from my hands, hitting the floor with a boom that echoes through the apartment.

She stops mid-moan and Nick twists around, eyes wide.

“Frankie! What are you doing here?”

I slam the door and cross my arms. “Gee, Nick. What does one do in one’s own apartment? Certainly not fuck someone who isn’t their significant other. No—that’s what you’re doing.”

Ava scrambles off him, grabbing her clothes as I stalk forward. I swipe the framed picture of Nick and me off the end table and hurl it at the fireplace.

“Oh my God!” she screams, as if she’s the victim here.

“Ava, what the fuck? Was this your plan? Steal my job and my boyfriend?”

“Franks, calm down.” I fucking hate when he calls me that. He hops on one foot, trying to pull on his shorts. “What do you mean, steal your job?”

“Oh? So you’re innocent? She just happened to fall on your dick?” My voice rises as the words spill out. “You had no idea she stole my ideas, twisted them, and made it look like I sabotaged my own clients? The company?”

I grab a lamp, dragging it with me as I pace.

“She’s crazy!” Ava yells waving her hands toward me. “You’re crazy!”

I let out a bitter laugh. “The only crazy thing I did was believe loyalty still meant something. Whether it’s coworkers or lovers, character matters. Being a good person matters.” I lift the lamp. “You two? Not good people.”

I throw the lamp and it shatters. Ava screams, grabs her shoes, and bolts for the door.

Nick doesn’t move and his silence says everything.

“Nothing to say, honey?” I shove past him and storm into the bedroom, yanking suitcases from the closet, and slamming drawers as I pull clothes from them.

“Francesca, talk to me. You got fired?”

I don’t turn around. “Yeah. Ava lied, faked paperwork, and Mr. Bloom bought it. Then she came here—to you—and waited for me to walk in.” I whirl around. “How long, Nick? How long has this been going on?”

“Frankie—”

“Answer me. How. Long.”

He doesn’t answer and that tells me everything.

I drag the suitcases into the living room. “Touch nothing else. I’ll send one of my brothers for it.”

“You’re leaving?” Panic creeps into his voice. “We can fix this. I’ll help you find another job—”

“This isn’t about the job, Nick! I lost something I was damn good at, yes—but I caught you with the woman who made my life hell at work. You knew how I felt. You let her play you. And us. You couldn’t stand up for me,” I continue. “You have no backbone. And I need a man who stands with me.”

I grab my purse and leave.

Once in my car, I pull out my phone and open our group text—Wild Ones.

Billy: We miss your face!

Tom: We know you’re a big shot in the city, but maybe call occasionally.

Adam: Yeah, or maybe take a weekend off and come home.

I take a deep breath as I pull out of the garage. Looks like you’re getting your wish, boys. Sissy’s coming home.