Page 4 of The Councilor

“We have leverage,” he said as he shoved his pocketknife back into his trousers.

“We’re not in the drug business.”

“No, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hold this over Bernardi’s head. With the number of crates, the shit is worth millions.”

It was a risky game indeed, this level of product not something any businessman would take lightly. Which meant his rage would either increase or he’d realize bringing drugs into our city wasn’t in his best interest.

Either way, the war was just beginning.

CHAPTER 2

Raphaella

A fresh start.

A new job.

I was both excited and terrified, arriving at the office a little after six in the morning. I’d had to sweet talk a janitor to let me in. I’d simply wanted to walk the hallways, getting used to not working as a waitress.

Not that there was anything wrong with the profession, but I was tired of smelling like greasy food. Plus, this was a step toward achieving my goals.

Becoming an attorney.

I found a cubby hole in the kitchen area where I put my purse. This early, I doubted anyone would be in the suite of offices.

I was right.

As I meandered through the halls, I could swear the scent was exactly what I’d expected from the most powerful defense firm in the entire city of New York. Likely beyond.

A part of me was so giddy I found it tough to walk without gasping for air. My roommates had laughed at me, but I’d worked hard to get here.

As I moved to the start of the executive corridor, it felt as if I was on hallowed ground. Very cautiously I took steps forward. I’d turned on as few lights as possible, terrified of drawing attention to myself. When I reached the door at the end, his door, I felt a rush of adrenaline. While it was silly to feel as if the man was a rockstar, in my mind and world, he was.

Especially given the family I’d been brought up in, or as I liked to say had been spawned from. I hated to say that as a tiny part of me loved my parents, but they were…

Nope. I wasn’t going to ruin this day.

I took a deep breath, glancing over my shoulder. What would it hurt to just take a peek inside, to get the feel of the man himself? I’d make it very quick then camp out in the small kitchen until the human resources girl I was meeting came in.

Sounded like a decent plan. No one could be angry with me. Right?

Hell, when had I worried about that kind of thing before? I wasn’t a timid girl and I was an employee. Fuck anyone who acted as if I didn’t belong here. I’d look at it this way. If the door was unlocked, then it was no big deal to enter. If it was locked, I would be a good girl and not break in. Although I had the skills to do so.

I closed my eyes and turned the knob. Voila. I was supposed to go inside. It was kismet.

Yeah, right. I certainly didn’t believe in that shit.

The office was huge, almost as big as the apartment I shared with two other girls. I didn’t want to make it seem obvious in case the janitor returned so I closed the door with only a crack open. It smelled of leather and citrus, cigars and whiskey.

A smile crossed my face as I walked further inside. The man’s desk was regal, spanning several feet, much larger than any I’d seen. He had art splashed across the walls that was creative, not stodgy like I expected some attorneys would have. Bookshelves and a credenza lined one wall, two others floor-to-ceiling windows. I was breathless in awe from the leather sofa and two massive chairs placed on a decorative rug in front of one of the banks of windows.

The man even had a bar in his office. A real bar!

Sure, my dad had a nice office, but this was spectacular.

I moved toward the leather sofa, unable to resist sitting down. I was able to see a perfect view of New York. It was amazing who and what you could be with money. I could do the same, but I wanted to do this on my own.

I sat down just like a lady would, when at times I was anything but. I even crossed my legs appropriately for a woman in my position. Yet I still spread my arms across the back, taking in every scent as I closed my eyes.

---