I stepped into the room, keeping my distance from Daniel, whose body radiated tension like heat."What matters?" I asked, though I already knew."The scene at the gala last night," Grandfather replied. "And its aftermath."Daniel made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a snort. "The scene? You mean her assault on Fiona in front of the entire industry?""I mean Fiona's drunken disruption of an official announcement, followed by Maya's admittedly dramatic response," Grandfather corrected. "Which has resulted in quite the media situation.""She slapped her sister across the face," Daniel said through clenched teeth. "After you ambushed me with this ridiculous 'transfer of power' stunt. The board will never—""The board has already approved the transfer," Grandfather interrupted. "The paperwork was completed yesterday afternoon. The announcement was merely a formality."Daniel's face went pale, then red again. "You did this behind my back.""I did this through proper corporate channels
I sank back into the chair, adrenaline leaving my body in a rush. Grandfather returned to his seat more slowly, his composure unchanged but his breathing slightly labored."Are you alright?" I asked him."Perfectly fine. Are you?"I nodded, though my hands were shaking. Daniel had never attempted to physically harm me in front of witnesses before. Always in private, always deniable."He'll challenge the transfer," I said."He'll try." Grandfather straightened the folder Daniel had knocked askew. "He won't succeed."Martha appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Giuseppe, security confirms Mr. Daniel has left the premises.""Thank you, Martha. Tea, please."After she left, Grandfather regarded me thoughtfully. "I apologize for my grandson's behavior.""You're not responsible for him.""In some ways, I am. I raised him after my son died. Perhaps too indulgently." He sighed. "I knew he was controlling, temperamental. I didn't know the extent of his abuse toward you."I said nothing. What was there
I spent the rest of Sunday at Mami Lulu's bedside, reading to her unresponsive form from design magazines, describing the gala and its aftermath. The nurses said talking to unresponsive patients could help, that they might hear even if they couldn't respond. I chose to believe it, needing some connection to the woman who had truly raised me.Evening found me back at my apartment, reviewing the briefing materials Grandfather's assistant had sent over. Board member profiles, financial summaries, pending contracts—hundreds of pages of information I needed to absorb before Thursday.My phone buzzed with a text from Troy: Dinner? I have gossip about the industry fallout.I agreed, grateful for the break and the company. Troy arrived with Thai food and a bottle of wine, settling cross-legged on my couch as he unpacked containers."It's deliciously messy out there," he reported gleefully. "The industry is completely split. Old-guard designers are clutching their pearls over your 'violent out
The glass rod glowed orange-red under the flame, softening until it drooped like honey. I twisted it carefully around the metal mandrel, just as Mami Lulu had taught me."Steady hands," her voice came from behind me. "Let the glass tell you what it wants to be."The small workshop smelled of propane and hot glass, with undertones of the pine forest surrounding our cabin. Sunlight streamed through the windows, catching dust motes and turning them golden. The rough-hewn wooden walls felt solid and permanent around me."There," I said, holding up the mandrel to show her the perfect round bead I'd formed. Blue glass with swirls of green, like the deep pools in the creek behind our cabin.Mami Lulu smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "Beautiful, mija. Now let it cool slowly."I placed the mandrel in the cooling rack, satisfaction warming my chest. Through the open window, I could hear the creek bubbling over rocks, the rustling of pine needles in the breeze, the distant call of a ha
That night in my apartment, unable to sleep again, I opened my laptop and did something I'd been avoiding—I searched for our old address in the mountains. The cabin wasn't technically ours; Mami Lulu had rented it for years from an elderly couple who'd never bothered to raise the price or ask questions about the woman raising a child in the remote location.To my shock, the property appeared in current real estate listings. FOR SALE: Rustic 2BR Mountain Cabin with Workshop. The photos showed a structure slightly more weathered than in my memories but essentially unchanged—the wooden porch, the stone chimney, the clearing surrounded by tall pines.The coincidence felt significant, almost supernatural. I'd been dreaming of the cabin for weeks, and now it was available, as if waiting for me to return.Witho
I slept poorly that night, dreams shifting between the peaceful cabin workshop and nightmarish scenarios where faceless figures stood watching through windows, calculating, waiting.By dawn, I'd made my decision. I would go to the mountains, to the cabin where I'd been truly happy. I would seek answers on my own terms, without Alex's theories coloring my perceptions or Daniel's threats hanging over me.I finished packing quickly, loaded my car, and left a message for Grandfather explaining my need for a brief leave of absence. He'd understand—might even approve of the strategic retreat while Daniel's legal situation developed.As I drove toward the mountains the next morning, I kept checking my rearview mirror, unsure if I was afraid of being followed or being alone with these new thoughts.
AlexI made it to my car before my composure cracked. Sitting behind the wheel, I slammed my palm against it hard enough to hurt, cursing under my breath. I'd handled that all wrong. Again.The look on Maya's face when I admitted hiring a PI—pure betrayal. Rage. Fear. All justified.I started the engine but didn't move, just sat there staring up at the lights of her apartment building. She'd tried to slap me. Again. I couldn't blame her."Not investigating you anymore." Christ. As if stopping was some kind of favor I'd done her. No wonder she'd exploded.The envelope of evidence sat on the passenger seat where I'd placed a second copy before heading up to her apartment. I'd known she might destroy the first one. Might not believe me. Might throw me out.I'd been right about all of it, and still managed to fuck up the execution completely.The dashboard clock read 8:47 PM. Not even nine, but I felt as if I'd aged a decade in the last forty minutes. I pulled away from the curb, forcing m
MayaI woke with a start, disoriented by the unfamiliar shadows cast across rough-hewn beams. For a moment, panic seized me—where the hell was I? Then the scent registered: pine, wood smoke, and something else—something that tugged at memories buried so deep they felt more like dreams than lived experience.The cabin. My cabin.Sunlight filtered through the windows I'd wiped down yesterday, catching dust particles that still danced in the early morning light despite my cleaning efforts. The fire I'd built last night had died to embers, leaving a slight chill in the air. Now, in the revealing daylight, I saw my childhood home properly, the areas I hadn't managed to clean yet standing in stark contrast to the parts I'd already restored.It was smaller than I remembered. Childhood memories have a way of making everything seem larger, more expansive. But the essentials were exactly as they'd lived in my mind: the stone fireplace dominating one wall, the rough wooden table beneath the east
The restaurant Alex picked was one of those places with a name that's just a single word—Lume. Dark wood, soft lighting, waiters who appeared and disappeared like ghosts. Not the kind of place I would have chosen, but I was too tired to care.I'd put on a simple black dress, nothing special. Alex showed up in a suit without a tie, looking like he'd come straight from the office. His eyes did that thing when he saw me—widened just a bit, then warmed. It was nice to be looked at that way. Like I was worth seeing."You look beautiful," he said."Thanks." I tugged at the hem of my dress. "You clean up okay yourself."We didn't talk much in the car. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past. My head was still pounding, but I'd downed two Advil before we
The elevator finally arrived in the lobby, pulling me back to the present. As the doors opened, I heard someone call my name."Maya! Hold the elevator!"I glanced over my shoulder. Troy was jogging across the lobby, looking like he'd just come from a meeting—button-down shirt, slacks, none of his usual dramatic fashion choices. He slipped in just before the doors closed."Jesus Christ." He looked me up and down. "You look like shit."I didn't respond, just hit the button for my floor. The elevator lurched upward.Troy studied my face, his eyebrows drawing together. "That bad, huh?""Yeah." I leaned against the wall, suddenly too tired to stand up straight.
MayaThe doorman stared at me when I dragged myself through the lobby. He always watched people—it was literally his job—but something felt off about it tonight. Like he was waiting for something. His eyes followed me across the marble floor, past the fancy orchids that someone kept replacing even though nobody ever looked at them."Evening, Ms. Vega," he called out.I kept walking, hoping he'd leave it at that."Everything alright?" he added.I paused, not turning fully. "Fine."The word hung there, obviously untrue. The doorman nodded anyway, his eyes lingering a beat too long before he looked back down at whatever he was pretending to read.
"Victor," my voice hardened. "What son?"He took his time responding, clearly savoring the rare moment of having information I needed. He reached for a wooden box on the mantle, opened it, and removed a faded photograph."Thirty-four years ago," he said, placing the photo in my hands. "When Lupe found out she was pregnant, they threatened to destroy her career completely if she didn't give up the baby. Said an unwed mother would tarnish the company image."“Who’s they?”“Her family,” Victor said. A smile played on his lips, as he noted my surprised expression. “Did you think Lupe was without a strong background?”“Wha—well…” I stared at the photo—a newborn infant, tiny face red and wrinkled, barely visible beneath a hospital blanket. A nurse held him, but Lupe was nowhere in the frame."She never even got to hold him," Victor continued. "They had papers ready before she went into labor. I was there—her only friend by then. The only one she trusted to witness."My mind raced, calculat
The door swung open before my knuckles could connect with the wood a fourth time. Light spilled out, blinding after the pre-dawn darkness, casting the figure in the doorway into silhouette."Dio mio." The voice was rougher than I remembered, aged by whiskey and solitude. "Giuseppe Russo. The devil himself."My eyes adjusted slowly. Victor Antonelli stood before me, barrel-chested and silver-haired, the sharp intelligence in his eyes unchanged despite the years. His gaze dropped to my wheelchair, genuine shock flickering across his weathered face before settling into sardonic amusement."Death is finally catching up to you, Russo?" His accent remained thick despite decades in America, vowels stretching like taffy. "Really, I thought I'd be first in the ground.""Disappointment all around then," I replied, the acid in my tone masking the strange relief I felt seeing him alive.Victor's hand moved to his chest in mock offense. "Is that any way to greet old friend? Fifteen years of silenc
GiuseppeEarlier same morning.The pain was my constant companion now. It woke with me, dressed with me, ate with me. This morning, it flared sharp and deliberately wicked as Vincent helped me from bed to wheelchair. It was Four-fifteen in the goddamn morning, and already my body was betraying me."Careful, sir," Vincent murmured, his hands steady under my arms.I grunted, teeth clenched against the lightning shooting up my spine. Couldn't afford to show weakness. Not today."The car is ready," he said. "Are you certain about the time? We could wait until—""No, I'm not certain about the time, Vincent." I said almost too casually. "But It has to be now, If I want to get that old goat"The house was silent around us, the staff still asleep. Just as I'd arranged, to avoid witnesses and questions. The less anyone knew, the better.My medication sat untouched on the nightstand—the little white pills that dulled both the pain and my mind. But I needed my mind very sharp today, both for wha
My father placed both hands flat on the table, leaning forward. His shoulder barely moved, but Crawford straightened in response—a subtle signal I couldn’t interpret passed between them. And that in itself was scary."While my daughter's personal life is her own business," he began.The word "daughter" hit like a fucking slap. My head jerked up before I could control the reaction, and I saw Richardson note it with narrowed eyes. I'd given them exactly what they wanted—confirmation that I could be rattled."I think we should acknowledge the... unique challenges she's facing," my father continued, letting the pause expand until everyone leaned forward slightly, scenting blood in the water."What challenges would those be, Robert?" Grandfather asked. The temperature in the room seemed to drop another five degrees at his tone."Her emotional stability since leaving the structure of her marriage. Let’s consider that," my father replied, his concern so perfectly performed it could win award
I took my seat at the head of the table, feeling the weight of every eye in the room. The leather chair creaked beneath me, and I winced involuntarily as I settled—still sore from last night. Richardson was directly across from me, caught the grimace. His gaze lingered a moment too long before shifting to the papers in front of him. Great start.Thirteen board members. Thirteen people who would decide my fate today. I scanned their faces, cataloging allies and enemies.My father sat at the far end, perfectly poised. Beside him, Whitcomb checked his watch for the third time in five minutes. Crawford had chosen a seat near the center, strategic neutral territory that everyone knew was anything but neutral. Chen and Martinez—usually reliable supporters—exchanged nervous glances, avoiding my eyes.Yamamoto, Grandfather's old friend, nodded slightly when our eyes met. A small comfort. Beside him, Wilson—ancient and immovable as the company itself—arranged her papers with military precision
I was ten minutes early and somehow still late.The Russo Designs headquarters loomed over me, all glass and steel and judgment. I'd thrown on the gray Armani blazer Grandfather insisted on, even though I couldn't remember why it mattered, but I wore it either way. My head throbbed, lack of sleep and too much Alex making it hard to focus on anything but putting one foot in front of the other.The receptionist's eyes widened when I walked in. Her gaze lingered on me, then suddenly looked very interested in her computer screen."Good morning, Ms. Vega," she said, voice carefully neutral. "Mr. Russo is waiting for you at the private elevator."Great. Just what I needed. A lecture before the firing squad.Grandfather sat in his wheelchair, positioned precisely in the center of the elevator alcove. Even in declining health, he maintained perfect posture, his suit immaculate, his eyes sharp as they cataloged every detail of my appearance. I could feel his disapproval very tangible.."You're