“We’re hiring new people now. Are you interested in being on my legal team?”
“For Orion?”
“No, for Clemonte Oil Engineering. It’s a newer company, named after my mother. Her maiden name was Clemonte. I’ve got a passionate team of engineers and developers, and we’re doing well in the Middle East. I need someone I can trust to handle our contracts.” I chaired the board of directors for Orion, but my heart was with Clemonte, a rising star where I sat on theexecutive committee as the company’s CEO. It was my passion to see this business succeed.
“It sounds tempting to join you, but I’m happy where I am,” Vera replied.
“You excelled in your business and law degrees, yet you’d rather focus on unfair dismissal cases and pro-bono cases on domestic abuse,” I pondered.
“Not everything’s about the money, honey.”
“Clearly. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m dealing with chaos. All about your ex-wife.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly.”
“What happened?”
“Sapphire and I went looking for Julian one night. Well, guess who we found him with?”
“The she-devil.”
“Bingo. Right in her arms at one of her crazy sex parties,” Vera said.
Fuck. This should never have happened.
“So, you saw her and Julian together?” I asked, feeling my vocal cords tighten.
“Yeah.”
“Did she see you?”
“Yes, but…”
“Shit. You should never have done that,” I scolded, wishing she’d talked to me before facing my ex. “Do you understand the danger you’ve exposed yourself to? Saira is mafia.”
“Oh, I read the news about her ties with drug lords like ‘Mad’ Mike Marino.”
“Listen, sweetheart. She isn’t just connected to them. She controls them.”
“I had to step in and confront my brother. I was worried about him. So was Saph because Julian wasn’t returning her calls. I wanted him away from your ex-wife.”
“You’ve got a lot of guts to rock up to her sex party. Promise me, don’t do anything like that again.”
“I won’t. Julian and Sapphire broke up, and Saira threatened him. She wants to make his life hell. So, I need your help.”
“I’m here,” I assured her.
“Thanks. I’ve never needed anyone more than I need you now. Julian wants to end his contract with Saira, but she’s blackmailing him. She said she’ll destroy everyone close to him, including Saph. And he still loves her.”
“Vera, I know your heart is racing a million miles an hour, but stop right there.”
“Please…”
“I’ll get him out of his deal with my ex. I’m heading to New York, so let’s meet there. Bring Julian with you.”
