Xavier's POV
It had been three days since I found out who Elena really was.
Following my plan, I decided to watch her and see if she would act. If she really wanted something then she would make a move.
So, I waited in the hidden room inside my office.
It was silent and the only light coming was from the light on my tablet screen.
I sat there after hours, with a glass of whiskey in my hand. Still, I didn't sip. The ice had melted and it felt warm in my hand. I gently placed the cup on the table.
My eyes moved from the tablet to the red folder on the table beside me. It was open and Elena's picture stared right back at me. If I should call her that.
I grabbed the glass again and drowned the drink in one go before watching the tablet. The surveillance played out and my eyes narrowed as Elena stepped into my office.
I leaned forward.
She walked in with a file and coffee. She walked to the table and placed it. She turned to leave and I was almost disappointed until she looked sideways.
She looked around the room, and I watched her go to the door and checked it.
She ran back to my desk and began searching. Her hands moved down to the drawer and she pulled out different files, reading fast and placing them back.
She moved around the desk and tugged at the second drawer. It was locked.
She sighed, brushing some fallen hair to the back of her ear with her finger. Her eyes moved to the bookshelf and she walked towards it.
I smiled, watching her get close and pick a book. She scrolled through it fast and placed it back, before searching the shelves.
I stepped to my right and placed my hand on the wall.
"Come on, sweetheart. Show me what you're really here for," I murmured.
From the tablet, I saw her move her head, and reach for the wrong book, looking for anything different and I pressed the button.
The hidden door slid open without a sound.
She stepped back, startled. Her hands dropped to her sides.
"What in the world?" She asked, as she looked inside. I had already closed the tablet so it was dark. I watched her wariness shift into curiosity as she stepped closer.
She entered, walking past me then I pressed the button again. The door closed behind her.
I flicked the switch, and the lights came on.
She turned and froze.
Her eyes locked on mine. "Oh no," she mumbled.
"Hello, assistant," I responded.
I stepped forward, slowly and dropped the tablet on the table. "Do you like the surprise?"
She didn't answer. Her throat moved when she swallowed. My best bet was she was trying to rack her brain for a good explanation.
I leaned on the edge of the table. "Welcome to my secret place. You found it. Do you like it?"
She backed away. "I—I was just—"
"Don't." I pointed at the tablet. "That's a live feed. There's a camera in my office. You might want to think twice before lying again."
I saw it. The panic in her eyes.
"What were you looking for?" I asked.
She didn't move, and stammered. "N…nothing."
I took a step forward, and she moved back slowly.
I kept going until her back hit the wall.
"There's no way to run," I murmured in her ear. "It's just us."
She shoved my chest. "I…I was just curious. That's all."
She moved to leave, but I grabbed her arm. She struggled and tightened my grip.
She winced and slapped me.
I chuckled. I found this part of her interesting.
She looked scared, and I pushed her backwards, pinning her to the wall with my face close to hers.
"Let me go," she begged.
"Why should I do that?" My voice went deeper than normal.
"Please," she begged.
I pressed closer to her, making her tremble. My lips were barely an inch away from her face.
"What were you looking for?" I repeated.
"I told you," she said. "I…"
I had enough of all the pointless babble. "Oh, I'd think the police would be glad to hear you trespassed and faked your identity, Samantha."
Her mouth dropped open, her eyes widened when she looked at me.
A little smile appeared on my face and her lips split.
"W…what…I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered.
I stepped back and picked up the red folder. I tossed it to the floor. the photos spilled on the floor facing her. They were hers.
"You walked into my company," I said, "using a dead girl's name."
She stared at the photos. I saw her pulse tick in her throat.
"I should let the police handle you," I said.
Her face turned white. I had her exactly where I wanted her.
"But I won't," I added.
Her eyes snapped to mine. "Why?"
My response was quick. "Because I need you."
She blinked. "You've lost your mind."
"Maybe. But I've done the math. You want revenge. I want protection. We're better off together than at war."
She stayed quiet.
I stepped closer again, and she flinched slightly.
"You remember my father, Matteo," I began. She nodded.
"He holds the board and controls the press in this city. I want a clean image and control."
Her eyes narrowed. "You already control the company."
I smiled without warmth. "Not all of it. Not yet. But you…you can be of use to me. Somehow, your family is connected to mine and I intend to help you get whatever truth you need, but I need you."
She relaxed, and crossed her arms. "Why should I trust you?"
I smiled, and answered. "Because I am a Moretti."
She didn't argue. "What are you offering?"
I walked back to the table and took out a cigar from its container and pulled my lighter from my suit's inner pocket.
I lit the cigar's end and puffed out a smoke. Placing the lighter gently back into my inner pockets. I answered. "A contract. We become partners."
She raised her eyebrow. She didn't trust me. That was great.
"What kind of partnership?" she asked.
I let it out. "Marry me."
Her whole body recoiled. "What?"
"Marry me," I repeated.
She shook her head, rejecting the idea. I took another puff and calmly explained. "You get inside access to the family. No one questions the boss's wife. I get legitimacy and everyone wins."
She was hesitating. I saw it. "And what do you expect in return?"
I chuckled as she held her hand over her chest. "Don't worry. I have no intention of sleeping with you. It won't happen again. And you get to divorce after a year. I'll pay you for it too."
She stared at me suspiciously. "You're serious."
"I don't joke while discussing business," I blurted.
"And if I say no?" she pried.
"You'll get nothing. Not to mention my father finds you familiar. I wonder how long you'll survive," I answered.
She swallowed.
"Fine. I'll do it," she said. "What are your terms?"
It wasn't like she had any choice.
"Betray me," I said, coldly. "and have your funeral come faster than expected."
She held my gaze, then nodded. "Understood."
I held out my hand, waiting. She shook it and our deal was sealed.
"I'll have the lawyer send the paper to you tonight," I said and moved to the edge of the wall and pressed the button.
The door slid open.
"Leave," I said quietly.
She did, and I picked up the tablet.
I dropped into my chair, and turned to the screen. My fingers tapped the surveillance feed.
I rewinded to the past week and paused. I saw Elena sobbing in her office.
I hated the way it made me feel.
Just then, the office phone rang. I picked and the speaker buzzed alive.
"Diego, what's the news?" I asked.
"Xavier. I got confirmation. Victor Carter was seen meeting with Santini two nights ago."