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“Damn, and you’re still in a half-decent mood. Are you getting sick?”
“Nope.” Wizard blew a smoke ring toward the ceiling. “I took the deposit out of Jesus’ pay.” Standing, he gave a long stretch to ease his muscles. “If you’re done busting my chops, let’s go have some fun.”
CHAPTER 49
A BETRAYAL
Walking through the nearly empty restaurant, Natalia managed to give two servers an encouraging smile. Dropping the smile as soon as she entered her office, she sat down and pulled up the day’s receipts.
The restaurant couldn’t continue operating at this rate of lost revenue.
Coming to a decision she had put off making, she texted Marco: Please come to my office.
After organizing the receipts in a folder, she put it away when she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Marco entered. “You wanted to see me?”
“Have a seat.” Motioning to the chair, she waited until he was seated. “I saw Lucia drop you off this morning.”
Marco’s face brightened. “Yes. Our engagement is back on. When she found out I was no longer working for my father and that you had started training me as your manager, she said standing up to my father was all she had wanted.” He smiled broadly. “We set a date. Your invitation is in the mail.”
Despite her financial worries, Natalia was happy Marco had been able to repair his relationship. “I’m glad it all worked out.”
Marco reached across the desk and took her hand. “I would’ve lost Lucia forever if it weren’t for your help. When she saw the video about you circulating online, she realized how close her family had come to finding out she was at The Last Riders’ that night.” His smile disappeared. “We both feel responsible for the backlash you’re having to deal with.”
“Whoever helped those girls get inside is the only person responsible.” She squeezed his hand. “The backlash against the restaurant is why I wanted to talk to you.”
Marco’s smile reappeared. “Do you want me to make another post to my followers supporting you?”
“No. I want you to take over managing the restaurant for me.”
Her heart ripped in two at the decision she had been forced to make.
“You’ve done well during your training—even better than I expected, I admit. I feel the restaurant will be in good hands while I take a step back. I’m hoping the fallout will die down when I announce that I’m no longer in control of the restaurant.”
Tears welled in Marco’s eyes. “This is all my fault …”
“I told you it isn’t.” Taking her hand away, she reached into her desk. “I’m also giving you a raise. You can start tomorrow.” She placed the restaurant keys in his hand then stood. “I have a dinner to attend tonight, so I’m leaving early. Let’s make an announcement to the staff. Tonight, I’ll make it public at the dinner.”
Holding the keys, Marco looked at her questioningly. “What about Rocco? Don’t you want him to take over?”
“He’s unable to because of his busy schedule.”
The partial truth seemed to satisfy Marco.
Holding back tears, Natalia gathered the staff to announce Marco’s promotion and tell them she would be stepping away to focus on other endeavors she was considering.
After assuring her employees there would be no changes to their wages and that, despite the online rumors, she had no intention of closing the restaurant, Natalia left when the tearful goodbyes became too much for her to bear without breaking down.
Once inside her car, she was unable to hold back her tears. She cried all the way home, wiping her eyes more than once so she could see the road.
The last thing she wanted to do after arriving home was attend a dinner celebrating the past year’s business achievements, especially when she felt like a complete failure.
Knowing the press would be there was the only reason she forced herself upstairs to get ready. Taking her time, she had a long bath, soothing some of the tension from her body. After dressing and applying her makeup, she was inspecting herself in a full-length mirror when she heard the doorbell.
Grabbing the evening purse she had bought to match her midnight-blue chiffon gown, she went downstairs and opened the door.
