Chapter Six
1335 Words
Marcus’ fingers stiffened around the edges of the gold iPhone, Catalina’s smiling face mocked him from the bright screen, and even more frustrating was the man in the background.
Gerald Whitmore was one of their most dormant stockholders, but from the look of things, the pig had got her hands on him.
He slouched back into the car seat, fingers kneading the caterpillar frown between his nose. Things were not supposed to be getting this bad so fast.
The discarded bank notice lay at his feet; they were cutting Deluca Holdings’ credit line, which would be another explanation to the board that he was not looking forward to.
In a perfect world, his piggy would still be at his side, handing her investments to him, but it wasn’t a perfect world, and he was starting to get pissed. How dare Catalina go after his company? It was his property, as was she.
And his property needed to learn her place.
“Everything all right, sir?” The driver glanced at him through the mirror.
Marcus frowned. “Take me to Giordano Estates.”
“You want to go now?”
Marcus looked up. “Am I paying you to ask stupid questions?”
That got the silence he wanted.
He barely registered the distance until they pulled up in front of the glass tower.
Marcus didn’t have a plan in mind; this was a vetting visit. He had to know what the witch was thinking, and cutting her down in front of her staff wouldn’t hurt either.
The lobby of Giordano Estates smelled like lavender and way too much money. White marble floors, a sweeping desk under a living green wall, and a purple company logo. People were moving fast around him, but he knew they recognized him.
The receptionist froze, smile half-formed and dying. Over by the elevators, security straightened.
Marcus ignored them.
He headed for the private lifts, eyes fixed on the woman at the far desk. She’d gone pale.
“Tell Catty I want to see her,” he said.
She swallowed. “Mr. DeLuca, Ms. Giordano is in a meeting. You have to make an appointment and come back.”
“Cancel the meeting.”
“I…can’t do that.”
He let out a low, humorless laugh. “Even rats are talking back to me now. What a horrible world.”
One of security’s best stepped over. “Sir, you need to leave.”
Marcus turned. “Do you know who I am?”
The man nodded. “That’s actually why I’m being polite.”
People in the lobby had pulled out their phones. Marcus felt a dark pleasure course through his veins. Let them record. Let them have a show.
Then, the lift doors opened.
And Catalina stepped out.
She’d come from upstairs, in an obvious hurry; one hand on a tablet, the other holding her jacket closed. Her calm mask in place as her eyes met his.
“Marcus,” she said, voice crisp and clear. “What are you doing here?”
Marcus’s smile turned sly. “I am visiting my wife. Is that a bad thing?”
Catalina’s mask didn’t falter. “You should be treated for your dementia. It seems to be getting worse.”
He took a step forward.
So did security.
Marcus held up his hands. “You’ve been busy, Catty. Meeting my partners, trying to steal my business. Thought I’d drop by to see the traitor in person.”
Catalina’s fingers tightened on the tablet. “You have gone mad. I am not stealing anything. Get out before I have you thrown out.” She turned her back to him, heading back for the elevators.
“You are f*****g him, aren’t you?” his voice froze her in her tracks.
‘‘What did you just say?’’
Marcus took a step closer, leaning down to sneer in her face. ‘‘It’s the truth, right? You are spreading your legs for Julian Rinaldi. I have to give it to you, Catty. You are more of a Sl…,’’
SMACK!
The sound of flesh hitting flesh cracked through the lobby like a whip.
A collective gasp rang out as the air stilled.
Marcus clutched his face in shock, Catalina’s hand frozen in the air.
‘‘You f*****g b***h!!’’ The guards dragged Marcus away, a second set forming a protective circle around Catalina.
Marcus jerked away. “Get your hand off me.”
“Sir. Outside.”
Marcus shook them off, turning back as the revolving doors closed shut. His gaze caught Catalina’s, and the entire lobby was staring at her, cameras recording as she hurried back to her office.
Marcus smiled as his driver pulled away from the building. Within an hour, the video would hit every feed. That would slow her down for a while. Little piggy.
__________________________________________________________________
No news spread faster than bad news.
By nighttime, the clip was everywhere. The comments were worse, and Catalina was considering throwing her phone against the wall.
They were calling her a cheater, accusing her of sleeping with Julian.
The nerve of Marcus to show up and cause all this commotion. Well, she was just getting started, and he would not get the attention he wanted.
Standing in her living room, shoes off, hair undone. She took a deep breath and exhaled. What she wouldn’t give to relax and not think for a long time.
The shrill ringing of her phone broke the silence.
Julian’s name flashed across the screen. She hesitated for a second before taking the call.
His name glowed on her screen, making something in her chest turn over.
“You have terrible timing.”
He chuckled, the small sound easing the tension in her shoulders. “I have excellent timing. I just landed in New York.”
Her eyes went to the overhead clock. “I thought you were going to Germany after Hong Kong?”
“You seem awfully acquainted with my schedule, Ms. Giordano. Should I be concerned?”
Catalina rose from the couch, the lights coming on as she made her way to the bedroom. ‘‘A wise man told me to keep close watch on my partners. I am just following the sage’s instructions.’’
Julian laughed, the sound wrapping around her like a hug. ‘‘Well, I have to meet this wise sage sometime.’’
‘‘Yeah, you should. He is a great guy.’’
The silence that followed was not disturbing in the least, yet Catalina wanted to say more.
“Have lunch with me tomorrow.” Julian suddenly blurted.
Catalina’s hand stilled over her bathrobe. ‘‘Huh?’’
‘‘Lunch. It’s the meal people have at noon.’’
She smiled. ‘‘I know what lunch is. Just wondering why you want to eat with me. We are not friends or anything.’’
‘‘You wound me, Cara. I was thinking we were closer than just acquaintances by now.’’
She snorted, without much conviction. “Are you sure you want to be seen around me? My face is trending on social media right now. It could be bad publicity for you.’’
“I am a stubborn man. The least of my worries is a bad article. So, lunch tomorrow?” he asked.
She nearly told him no. “Tsk, it’s hard to refuse when you are this persistent.”
“It will be a rooftop restaurant. Quiet. Private. No photographers, no noise. You don’t have to speak when you see me. Just eat and leave. No obligations.”
Her mouth almost curled in a smile. “It’s a date.’’
- Writer
