Page 56 of Stalking Ginevra

TWENTY-THREE

GINEVRA

I ride the elevator, still on a high from subduing the loan sharks. Mom has agreed to stay with Bossanova until we can work out how to keep them away. I’m hoping Benito’s name will be enough to deter those bastards, but I’m not about to take any chances.

The doors open at the 30th floor, breaking me out of my thoughts. I step out, spotting a crowd gathered around Pamela’s desk. They’re too close, leaning in, murmuring like something’s happened.

My breath catches. Don’t tell me there’s been another disaster? I continue toward the receptionist’s desk, forcing down a surge of concern. Maybe it’s just gossip. There’s no need to assume the worst.

“Can you imagine?” Pamela’s voice rises from the chatter. “Finding out your own father is a casino thief?”

I stop dead, my stomach churning. They’re talking about me. My pulse quickens. My blood heats, anger simmering in my veins, threatening to break free. I should turn around, walkaway, act like I didn’t hear a thing, but my feet propel me to the crowd of gossiping hyenas.

“She completely lost it yesterday,” says a male voice I recognize as one of the junior associates. “Made herself come in front of Julian as if he would give her back the Bellavista account.”

Pamela snorts. “Desperate.”

Fury and shame burn through my throat, making me swallow hard. I clench my fists. Is this what they’re saying about me behind my back?

Keeping my heels from striking the polished floor, I reach the edge of the crowd. Pamela is the first to spot me through the throng. She pauses mid-sentence, her smile freezing, her cheeks draining of color.

“Is there something you’d like to say to me?” I keep my voice controlled, imagining it to be a blade wrapped in silk.

The crowd parts, and the associates back away from her desk. Some of them cast apologetic glances. Others grimace. I’m more concerned with the woman who was supposed to be a friend.

Pamela has always been there for our family. In turn, we’ve given her support. Dad allowed her to stay in his penthouse when she was hiding from her abusive ex. Mom and I visited her in the hospital when she had that miscarriage. I thought she was more to us than just a colleague.

Her smile wavers. “Oh, Ginny, we were just?—”

“Gossiping?” I place my hands on my hips. “Speculating? Or just making things up for attention?”

“We were just concerned.” Her gaze darts from side to side as if looking to gain support. “After everything with your father... and yesterday...”

Her voice trails off, leaving me squirming. I focus my attention away from the incident with the toy, not wanting my confidence to waver. Instead, I look her dead in the eye.

“What happened yesterday?” I ask, daring her or any of those bastards to repeat those filthy words.

An ugly flush blooms across her cheeks. It spreads down her throat before disappearing into the neckline of her shirt. Her eyes flicker again for backup, but everyone falls silent.

They’re watching, waiting. I step closer, savoring her crumbling bravado. Her mouth opens and closes, struggling to find the words. The remaining stragglers shift behind her, none daring to look me in the eye.

Good.

“Slander isn’t the kind of offense you should commit against an attorney,” I say through clenched teeth. “Keep my name out of your fucking mouth.”

When she drops her gaze to the desk, I turn to the nearest asshole, who averts his eyes. The others follow suit and dissipate toward their cubicles.

But I’m not satisfied.

I glance around for the male associate who made that sexual innuendo, but the rat already found a hiding spot.

This can’t stop with Pamela. I need to deal with them all.

Pulse drumming in my ears, I walk to the center of the office, where there’s a water cooler. Everyone stops working as if I’m the most interesting thing that’s happened since Dad’s downfall.

I grab a chair, move it toward the wall, and stand on its seat. When all my colleagues are paying attention, I start.

“I had no idea my father was involved in fraud,” I say, letting my voice carry. “His actions didn’t just affect you. I’m also under threat.”

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