Silas finally spoke up, voice even but carrying weight. “Curt, this is bigger than protecting reputations. If we ignore this, we’re telling everyone here that sabotage is just part of the game. That’s not who we are—or at least not who wesaywe are.”
Sylvain shrugged. “Itispart of the game.”
It was Silas’s turn to smack the table with his fist. Irma’s coffee sloshed. “This isn’t fucking high school, Sylvain.”
Curt didn’t even strain his neck muscles when he said, “Enough!” but the muscle in his jaw jumped. “This is a closed matter.”
I leaned over the table, palms flat, daring anyone to stop me. “I’m extending the courtesy to inform you I’m sharing the files. I wanteveryoneto know Nina Reyes was not at fault and the nature of Natasha’s involvement.”
The room went quiet. Too quiet. Until Sylvain guffawed, slapping the table. “Respect, man,” he said, still laughing. “Look, you want more money, different role, just say what you’re after.”
Irma’s eyes widened. This guy was missing the point. “I’ve set my demands. I want Nina Reyes’s name cleared. You want to cover your asses? Fine. I won’t be complicit. I’m prepared to do my part.”
Curt’s smile was gone now, replaced by something colder, calculating. “You do that, you’re fucking fired.”
I chuckled. “You don’t need to do that,” I said, throwing all caution to the wind. I’d already realized there was no ending where I walked out of this room still employed for this company. “I resign. Effective immediately.”
Sylvain’s mouth curve in a lazy smirk, making it clear he was enjoying this far too much. And Silas… Silas just nodded once, no surprise or shock, just a confirmation of something he’d already known.
“Just so you know. I’m releasing a statement today. Posting it everywhere on social media.” I smoothed out my polo.
“We’ll sue you for defamation.”
“It isn’t defamation if it can be proven,” Silas reminded everyone. He turned to Curt. “You really want to trash our company’s brand for whatever this girl’s cooked up for you?”
“We’ll spin it. Throw him to the fucking wolves. We’ve done it before.”
I stood a moment longer, letting the room soak in the truth they clearly didn’t want to hear. “Spin it however you like. I’m finished here.”
I pointed at the USB drive still sitting next to Curt’s wrinkled hand, letting its contents carry the weight of my intentions. “Just so we’re clear, there’s copies of everything in there.”
I strode out, leaving their mouths open and the USB burning in their minds.Good fucking riddance.
I climbedthe stairs to Vinny’s three-flat. Cracked concrete and chipped paint ground under my dress shoes. The drizzle was light, just enough to glue my hair to my forehead. My chest felt tight, not from the walk, but from the fact I was about to ambush Nina’s cousin. No call, no warning. I was going to lay it all at Vinny’s feet and watch him choke on it.
The first-floor tenant stepped up to the doorway, wrestling a newborn in a carrier and several packages. I shot out my arms and grabbed two packages before they crashed to the floor. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d even helped someone just because. My mom had raised me right.What had happened to me? I shook my thoughts loose. I was taking steps to fix some wrongs. I smiled tightly at her “Thanks” and climbed up to Vinny’s floor, my knuckles cracking as I flexed them before reaching out to knock.
The door opened before I could knock, my fist hovering over a shirtless chest. Vinny blinked, his mouth dropping open. He snapped it shut, lips twisting as if he’d swallowed something sour. A muscle jumped near his temple right as he lowered his chin, eyes sliding away from mine.
He looked behind me, as if checking for someone, but finally dragged his gaze back. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
I’d hoped Vinny would be on Nina’s side. That he’d been an enabler but not someone who’d betrayed her. No doubt now. He’dknownall along. My throat went dry, tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. My fists curled at my sides, nails digging crescent moons into my palms.
“Come on in,” he said. I stepped past him without a word, looking back just as his gaze shifted to the closed bedroom door. “Just—mind your volume, please.”
He stepped aside, stiff, and I brushed past him, the smell of his dinner still in the air—garlic, butter, wine. Cozy. Domestic.
“I didn’t think you’d?—”
“This isn’t about me. This is about Nina.”
He swallowed, and for a second, I thought he’d send me right back out. Vinny had always been a fucking coward, though.
“She’s fine,” he stated, but it sounded weak, even to him.
“Fine?” I barked a humorless laugh. “She’s been busting her ass just to keep her head above water. Your parents burned through what was supposed to be hers, Vin. That’s not fine. That’stheft.”
His eyes snapped to mine, defensive and wide. “You think I don’t know that? There was no will. My parents were appointed guardians. Courts had no real oversight. I could tell because everything was different, but I didn’t—” He pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “I was seventeen when it happened. I was a fucking kid. What did you expect me to do?”
