Page 51 of The Bonventi Rise
"Oh, but you do," Sandra leans forward slightly.
"Look," I say, setting my coffee in a nearby cupholder, "I don't know what this is about, but if you have something to say, say it. I have a campaign to run."
Sandra looks at me for a moment, as if trying to read my face.
"I'm curious," she finally says, her voice deceptively casual, "how much do you really know about the man you're working for? About the family you've aligned yourself with?"
I clench my fists. "I know enough to be his fiancée," I reply, trying to sound relaxed.
She laughs.
"Please, fiancée? Really? He just happens to be engaged to one of the top political campaign managers in the country? Oh, how convenient for Mr. Bonventi."
I'm getting worked up now. "I fail to see how that's any of your business."
Sandra smiles. "Oh, my dear, it's very much my business. You see, I've made it my mission to clean up this city, to root out the corruption that's been festering for far too long. And the Bonventis? They're at the very heart of it all."
My stomach churns, but I maintain my poker face. "If you have evidence of wrongdoing, present it. Otherwise, this conversation is over."
"You're smart, Alina. Too smart to be this naïve. Did you know about the three witnesses who mysteriously disappeared during the 2018 investigation into Bonventi Shipping? Or about the string of suspicious deaths surrounding their real estate acquisitions?"
My blood runs cold, but I force myself to maintain my composure. "If you had any evidence of wrongdoing, you'd go to the authorities, so I'm not interested in talking gossip with you."
She stares at me again, mulling over what I said.
"I'm giving you a chance," Sandra says, her voice softening in a way that feels more threatening than comforting. "A chance to get out before you're in too deep. Before you become collateral damage in a war you didn't even know you were fighting."
I roll my eyes. "A chance?"
She nods. "Come work for me. Be on the right side of history. Of change. Together we can bring down the corrupt Bonventis and free Illinois of their power."
I lean back, crossing my arms over my chest. "And if I refuse your generous offer?"
Sandra's eyes harden. "Well, in that case, I can guarantee this ends badly for you, Ms. Carter. You'll leave me no choice. And trust me, when the dust settles, you'll find yourself buried right alongside the Bonventis."
The limo stops right outside Marco's headquarters.
"Here, take my card. Think about it."
I don't know why, but I reach out and take it and shove it in my purse. The door opens, and as I slide out, she calls out to me.
"Ms. Carter. I'm sure I don't need to convince you what side your father would want you on."
Before I can even respond, the driver shuts the door and walks away. I stand there for a moment as the limo drives off.
"Wow, fancy ride to work, Alina," Sarah says, walking up to me.
"What? Oh, yeah," I laugh nervously. "Just a meeting. Not the norm."
We walk inside, and I head to my office without a word. My head is spinning, and now I'm questioning everything.
27
ALINA
Istare at Sandra's business card on my desk, her words echoing in my mind. Witnesses disappearing. Suspicious deaths. The worst part? I'm not even shocked. Deep down, I've always known that the rumors around the Bonventis could be grounded in fact. I just chose to ignore it since rumors run so rampant in this line of work.
My fingers hover over my keyboard, but I can't type a single word.
