Page 26 of Secret Babies For My Brother's Best Friend

“What do you mean, frozen out?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even, but I was close to losing my faltering grip on whatever restraint there was.

Riley shrugged again. “That’s what I mean. We keep applying, and we keep getting turned out at the first interview. Once they hear we’re from Daze, they’re not interested. Nobody wants to touch us.”

Could Luca’s influence really extend that far? And when he assured me that he had no doubt everyone would be snapped up by rival firms within the week… My stomach dropped to my feet. I was on the verge of losing everything when Luca swooped in to save the day. If my ex-colleagues were still out there fighting for their lives, that meant they had less than nothing left.

The guilt that had turned to anger quickly morphed again, and a bubbling rage boiled up from the pit of my stomach. I remembered with utmost clarity why I hated men like Luca. They lived their lives in a bubble of money where nobody could touch them and trampled over anyone they needed to in order to maintain the status quo.

“Fuckers,” I muttered through a clenched jaw. “All of them. I can’t believe this is happening.”

Riley gave a defeated laugh, wiping a stain of strawberry shake from the corner of her mouth. “Yeah, well, all of us can’t have your kind of luck.”

My breath caught in my throat, and it was my turn to turn away from her gaze. I knew that only made me look more guilty, and by the time I looked back up, the truth was plain in Riley’s eyes.

“I ran into Julie at yoga a couple of days ago,” she said in a flat tone. “Her preggy belly class was coming in as I was leaving.”

I nodded slowly, unwilling to add any more to her story without knowing exactly what details she was aware of. I hoped to God Julie hadn’t mentioned—

“Working for the monster who swung the blade, Scarlett. That’s something else, all right.” Riley surveyed me with an unmoving look, watching me closely for a reaction that would either support or dispute whatever conclusion she’d drawn about me.

“Riley…”

She held up her hand to stop me. “You don’t have to explain. I get it.”

“No, you don’t,” I argued. “I had no idea that you guys had it this rough. I was about to lose my apartment, and—”

“And it was take the deal or starve,” Riley said, going back to the menu. “Speaking of which… I’m ready to order.”

I sank back into my chair, feeling like the worst kind of person in the world. Like the kind of people made from Luca Moretti material. There was a reason people like me hated people like him—they deserved it. And sitting across from Riley just then, I deserved it too.

“Hey, don’t look so glum, okay?” Riley smirked. “We’ll figure it out. We always do. And you shouldn’t have to feel bad for taking the paycheck. I would’ve done the same thing in your position.”

“That’s just it, Riley,” I said. “You wouldn’t have. You would’ve starved rather than work for Luca.”

A slight frown creased her brow. “Who?”

“No one,” I replied quickly, trying to backtrack. “He’s the CEO of Chord Enterprises.”

Her face opened in surprise. “And you’re on a first name basis? Already?”

I felt my cheeks flush and wished that we’d chosen a fancier place to eat. Where the menus weren’t attached to the rickety tables, so I’d be able to hide behind one of them.

“Don’t be absurd,” I scoffed. “It’s just how the other developers talk about him, and I guess it stuck, that’s all.”

“Must be nice.” Riley waved our waiter back over. “Having a team and a living wage.”

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I groaned.

She burst out laughing then. “Relax, Scarface. I’m just giving you a hard time. What do you say to a pancake tower?”

“For lunch?” I asked a little dubious.

Riley shrugged. “For old time’s sake.”

I wasn’t about to argue with that.

***

Although lunch with Riley ended on a good note, my cab ride back to the office was long enough for me to work up that stewing anger. My entire firm was still without work and according to Riley, seemingly blocked out of working anywhere in the city again. Or for anyone who’s heard of Luca Moretti and Chord Enterprises.

---