Chapter 7 - The Lingering Threat
Two days later, the fallout of the syndicate exposure dominated the front page of every major newspaper in New York.
SHIPPING TYCOON RICHARD BELLAMY ARRESTED IN FEDERAL CORRUPTION CRACKDOWN. MORETTI ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING AMID ASSASSINATION PLOT.
Sitting at her desk in the newly repaired penthouse office, Nora scrolled through the digital headlines on her monitor. The shattered floor-to-ceiling windows had been replaced with reinforced, bulletproof glass, and a new, rigorously vetted security detail patrolled the perimeter.
Dante sat across from her, his left arm in a light sling, reviewing corporate merger documents with effortless concentration.
“You should be resting,” Nora noted, looking up from her screen.
“I’ve rested enough over the last six months,” Dante replied without looking up. “Besides, I have a company to run and an assistant who refuses to let me slack off.”
“An assistant?” Nora raised an eyebrow. “I thought I was your hostage.”
Dante paused, looking up from his papers. A slow, faint smile touched his lips. “You were never a hostage, Nora. You were the only person in this city with enough spine to stand up to me.”
Nora felt a warm flush rise to her cheeks. She quickly looked back down at her monitor to hide it. “You’re just saying that because I found the yellow powder.”
“I’m saying it because you stayed when everyone else ran.” Dante closed the folder in front of him and wheeled himself closer to her desk. “Which brings me to a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Now that Bellamy is behind bars, Marco is awaiting trial, and Kaplan is out of the picture... I have an opening for a permanent Chief of Staff.”
Nora blinked, staring at him in surprise. “Chief of Staff? But I’m just an administrative assistant.”
“You managed my correspondence, interrogated my corrupt doctor, locked down the estate defense grid, and saved my life in less than a week,” Dante pointed out smoothly. “I’d say you’re overqualified for assistant.”
Nora considered the offer. The salary would clear her rent, pay off her remaining debts, secure Liam’s private school tuition, and give them a life of absolute security. But more than that... working alongside Dante Moretti wasn't just a job anymore. It was a partnership forged in fire.
“Does the job come with health insurance?” she asked deadpan.
“Comprehensive medical, dental, and hazard pay,” Dante replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
May you like
“Then I’ll take it,” Nora smiled, holding out her hand.
Dante took her hand in his, his grip warm, firm, and steady. “Welcome aboard, Chief of Staff.”
