Page 38 of And Twice as Twisted
Twirling on my heel, I felt it give way as I started yelling. “Bastardthinkshe controls this city, but he doesn’t control me!” I shouted, not giving a damn that the entire lobby was watching my meltdown.
“Sienna.” Alexei raised his hands, palms up in surrender.
“And I’m out.” Rocco practically jumped from his chair and darted into the lobby. I shoved Alexei out after him and slammed the door in his face.
I stumbled for a moment, before kicking off my broken heel, and wandered to my view of the city. What was once my solace now laughed at me. It was cruel and mocking.
No one knocked, leaving me to work in peace. I found myself lost to a little perusal of confidential police files:Released due to insufficient evidence. Lead witness incapacitated and unable to be interviewed to support claims.
I scoured through the details of the case, the declarations from other partners and the information he turned over. Gio was good at covering his tracks… but I was better. The police needed new evidence or a confession. And I had plans to get them both.
Farrah alerted me of the time and I grabbed my bag before heading to the elevator. Alexei and Rocco rode down to the lobby with me in silence. We jumped into the SUV Al was driving and headed straight towards the college. The air was sizzling with excitement as we ushered our group inside the auditorium.
“I bet you’re the proudest father in the world right now.” I smiled at Evelyn’s dad, shaking his hand as we approached our reserved seats. “Alvin, Alexei, and Rocco.” I motioned towards my entourage, and he nodded.
Al quickly stepped forward, shaking the man’s hand and offering his congratulations before kissing Evelyn’s mother on the cheek. I stopped for a moment, staring at my best friend curiously. He was in a suit, not out of the ordinary, but today he wore a three-piece—gray with a matching vest. His shoes were new and shined, but even more peculiar was the fact he held a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
Rocco caught my attention; his expression matched my own as we watched the men make quick small talk. They conversed as if this wasn’t their first-time meeting.
Interesting.
“Miss Agostino, we can’t express our—”
I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “We’ve been through this. Your daughter did the work, not me.” I gestured to the large auditorium presently hosting the graduation. “Evelyn’s hard work and perseverance, her strength to not be a victim is what brought her here.”
My little protégé had graduated NYU with honors, far exceeding my expectations. I saw a lot of myself in her and smiled. A small girl, who rose from disaster and became a fierce woman.
“I didn’t think we’d see this moment.” The crowd erupted as another name was called. “I really thought… it… that… was the end for my daughter. I’d pictured her waitressing at the local diner and not getting a chance toliveher life.” Her father wiped away a stray tear.
“Here she comes.” Al pushed to his feet, his large frame blocking the view of several attendees, none brave enough to say anything.
“Evelyn!” Her father, mother, and I all shouted in unison as her name was called.
Rocco put his hand in his mouth to whistle, but it was Al’s deep hollers that had several people turning around. Evelyn faltered in her steps, holding her diploma and staring at us in shock. She looked each person in the face, her awe and happiness filling her eyes with tears. Not only did her parents and I have front row seats with Rocco and Al, but I may or may not have reserved the entire section for every employee ofEnergiaHoldings.The room had been throttled by the rising fanfare, the young Evelyn having touched each one of her coworkers with her charm, grace, and intelligence. She deserved nothing but absolute happiness.
Once she’d exited the stage, the faculty halted the ceremony as our entire section left without remorse for the interruption. We’d come to see her, not the rest of the graduates. We made our way outside and the chorus of cheers erupted as Evelyn approached. She was practically glowing as her gown swallowed her small form. She greeted her parents first, then introduced them to each of her coworkers. The buzz in the air was exuberant.
“Miss—” She smiled and laughed at my expression. “Sienna.” Evelyn pulled me in for a hug, forcing me to swallow past my emotions. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Not needed.” I squeezed her hand and then turned to the group. “As you all know, Evelyn’s contract expired once she graduated. I am assuming all of you would like a moment to say goodbye to our beloved intern.”
A few faces turned to me in shock and I couldn’t even look at Evelyn, afraid her sadness would break me. That was the thing. I’d put her rapist in jail—ensuring he was absolutely miserable while there—with a promise that she could intern withEnergia.Nothing else was discussed, even if I did see incredible things in her future.
One glance at Al, and I took note of how he appeared as though he was either going to be sick or murder me.
“No one wants to say goodbye?” Amy, my lead attorney, stepped to my side, addressing the crowd. “Very well. Evelyn, it has been a pleasure to watch you grow and I wish you nothing but the best on your future endeavors.”
Evelyn smiled through her tears, maintaining her grace, and embraced us. Al moved towards me, clearly pissed, but I shook my head at him.
I wasn’t done.
“Well, if no one else has anything to add before we say goodbye to ourintern.”And then it clicked, the realization morphing everyone’s face. “Evelyn, I’d like to formally offer you a full-time contract to become part of my legal team.”
Amy drew the document from her bag, but before she could hand it to the girl, Evelyn screamed a resoundingyes. “Hey! I raised you better than that!” Amy laughed. “Read the contract before agreeing!”
She was engulfed in more hugs and congratulations as Alexei and I stepped away from the group. Once the excitement calmed down, Al wrapped his large arms around her.
“Didn’t see that coming,” Alexei muttered, watching Al smile at Evelyn.
