“Good girl. Daddy will see you in a few hours. I’ll check on you now and then. Message me whenever you like. Know I’m always with you.” I nod, then he adds, “Oh, and when you get home, you’re going to have your first swimming lesson.”
My eyes go wide, and I start to protest, but he shakes his head and finishes, “It’s for your safety, Bambina. It will be fun. For us both, I assure you. No swimsuits allowed. Now, go on.” He smacks my behind and walks me out the front door.
With that, I’m riding in the back of a limo with a driver, on my way to my unpaid internship at the courthouse, trying to sketch a few decorating ideas on the way but too anxious to really concentrate. I need to see Nadine, and I’m wondering how I’m going to handle the whole incident with the job ‘tip’ she gave me.
Maybe she didn’t know? Maybe she did. Ugh. Either way, it’s uncomfortable at best and a confrontation at the worst.
I mean, I don’t know her well, and she did say it was a friend of a friend that gave her the tip. I shake off the tension and try to focus on the fact that the very unpleasant situation I found myself in ran me right into Vito, who seems like a dream come true…even if I’m still half in doubt that it’s all real.
When I get to my desk and turn on my computer, my task list for the day is a mile long. After I deliver the usual round of coffee to the DAs on my roster and some of the judges, I settle in and start an evidence spreadsheet for a new case, but I can’t keep my mind on work.
It’s Vito. It’s Nadine. But I’m also sort of obsessed with the decorating at his house. In my mind, ideas are swirling around, and every few minutes I sneak out my sketch pad and doodle something or make some notes.
It just feels good.
After an hour, I take a deep breath and decide to find Nadine. I need to get this out of the way so I can at least clear that space in my head about what happened and what she knew.
I walk over to her cube, but it’s empty, and I almost lose my nerve. But when I look around for a pad of Post-its or something to write her a note on, I see Darryl, a paralegal who works with her, and force myself to be brave. With a deep breath, I step to the opening in his workspace and clear my throat, drawing his attention.
“Hi, Darryl. Do you know if Nadine is around?”
He shakes his head. “Haven’t seen her today. I know she’s working on a new file. She’s been spending a lot of time outside the office.” He thinks for a second then shrugs. “I saw on her calendar a note about a meeting at that expensive Italian restaurant over on Wisconsin. Paesano’s.” His fingers click on the keyboard in front of him as he stares at the monitor. My stomach sinks when I look down at her calendar and see the words scribbled on today’s date.
Sal, Paesano’s, 10:00 AM, and the pieces start to fall together. Nadine sent me to that job. She knew.
That’s the same restaurant Vito took me to the other night. Vito said he had a meeting today and we’d meet for lunch at the same restaurant.
“Okay. Thanks.” I force the words out, barely able to stand. My stomach turns over. It can’t be what I’m thinking. I’ll get there, and it will all be completely innocent, and I’ll laugh at myself for being such an idiot.
I grab my phone out of my pocket and bring up Hamilton’s number, then hesitate. What if there’s some connection? All this with Vito went so quickly.
I shake my head. No way Vito could be connected to this Sal.
He’s been so vague about what he really does, but I know his family name. I know he operates on the other side of the law. I’m sure if the DA found out I was involved with him, my internship would be over.
My stomach is in knots as my more practical mind begins to override the lust and Cinderella fantasies I’ve been riding since the other night.
If I call Hamilton, he would surely tell Vito he’s on the way with me, and that would give them a heads-up. Swiping away from Hamilton’s number, I turn back to Darryl and force a smile. “Hey, do you know what cab company is fastest around here?”
I know I shouldn’t leave work, but something inside me demands to know what’s going on. “Sure.” He sniffs then finishes. “Everyone here uses A2B Taxis. Usually there’s one downstairs waiting around, but if you’re in a hurry I’d give them a call, just to make sure.”