"I won't."
Stone studied me for a long moment. "You're attracted to her."
"She's an attractive woman. I'm not blind."
"That's not what I meant." His voice softened slightly. "I've known you a long time. I've seen you around attractive women. This is different. You're interested. Really interested."
"It doesn't matter."
"It does if it clouds your judgment."
"My judgment is fine." I stood, needing to move, to do something with the restless energy coursing through me. "I hired her because she's qualified. Because Barbara vouched for her skills. Because we need someone who can handle the workload."
"And because you want to see her every day."
I didn't answer. Couldn't.
"Just be careful," Stone said, his tone mild. "Please. For once in your life, be careful."
"I'm always careful."
"No, you're always calculating. There's a difference." He headed for the door, then paused. "I'm going to reach out to some contacts in New York. See what I can learn about the Russo family's current state. If they're planning something, someone will know."
"Keep it quiet. I don't want Carlo Russo thinking I'm investigating him."
"Carlo Russo should be worried about what you're thinking." Stone's smile was cold. "You're the one with the new employee who might be his assassin."
After he left, I stood at the window, looking down at the street below.
Somewhere in this city, Julia Russell—or whoever she really was—was going about her day. Packing, maybe. Preparing to start her new life. Her new job.
With me.
Was Stone right? Was she here to kill me?
Or was I so starved for something real, something beyond the constant calculations and strategic moves, that I was willing to risk everything for a woman I barely knew?
My intercom buzzed.
"Mr. Vanetti, Forrest is here to see you."
"Send him in."
Forrest entered, laptop under his arm, expression troubled. "Stone asked me to run enhanced security protocols. Deep background checks. Communication monitoring."
"On Julia Russell."
"On Julia Russell." He set his laptop on my desk, opened it. "I'll need access to her personnel file. Social security number, references, everything we have."
"You'll have it." I paused. "Forrest? What do you think? Gut instinct."
He considered the question. "I think Stone's right to be cautious. The timing is suspicious. But I also think..." He trailed off.
"What?"
"I think if someone wanted you dead, you'd be dead already. Whoever this woman is, if she's a professional, she's had access to your schedule, your routines, your vulnerabilities. She interviewed with you alone. She'll be working in your office. If killing you was the goal, she wouldn't need the job to do it."
"So what's she after?"
