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Chapter Twelve
RAVEN
I get to the office and find Vinn yelling into the phone. When he sees me, he hangs up and marches over. “Thank god, you’re here,” he says, pulling me into his arms and burying his nose in my hair. Suddenly, it feels wrong. I realise it isn’t his arms I want to be in, so after a few seconds, I pull back.
“I saw the article. Any idea where it came from?” I ask, ignoring the way he looks confused by my cold retreat.
“No. I called the Gazette. They said it was an anonymous writer.”
“So, they have no name?”
“Just a pen name, Revenge!”
“Oh, revenge on you or just in general?” I ask.
“Fuck knows, but right now, it’s clearly aimed at me. Let’s hope it’s a one-off. I offered the editor money to pass all future articles my way next time, but he laughed in my face and said I couldn’t buy him off. Who the fuck ever heard of an editor you can’t buy?”
“If I was you, I’d step up the charity donations. Make a bigger deal about what you do for the community and shout about it, so it pushes the bad press into the shadows. I’ll set up some photo opportunities.” I take a seat at my desk.
He smiles. “That’s why I need you around.”
As he heads back into his office, I call his name, and he turns to me. “This is strictly business from now on. If you cross the line, I’m gone for good.” He nods once and closes his door.
* * *
I spend the next few hours arranging meetings with charity organisations. Vinn’s given me a ballpoint figure to split over three local charities. If I can get him in the news for the right reasons, no one will listen to anything else. The lift pings and Mac steps into the office. I’m happy to see him, and my heart races as he places a paper bag on my desk. “Thought you might need something to eat.”
“Thank you. You didn’t have to.”
He glances towards Vinn’s office. “I can’t lie, Raven. I’m pissed off you came running the second he got in the shit.”
My heart twists a little. “I love this job. It’s a hard habit to break. And, they slagged off Enzo’s. I’ve been managing that place, so it’s my baby too.”
“It seems like he’s the hard habit to break.”
“No. It’s not like that.”
“Enjoy your lunch,” he adds, turning to leave.
“Mac, wait, join me. Please.”
He hesitates, then reluctantly grabs a chair and pulls it to my desk. I smile as he takes a seat and reaches into the paper bag. “Any idea who wrote it?” he asks, passing me a sandwich.
I shake my head. “Nope. Anonymous.”
“He deserves it.”
I laugh. “He does not. He’s a businessman and he doesn’t need some dick writing shit like that. It could harm his business.”
Mac stares me down, pressing his lips together in a tight line. “Don’t defend him, Raven. He doesn’t deserve your loyalty.”
“He’s my boss. And, yes, he’s hurt me, but I’m getting over it. I still like him as a person.” Mac’s phone rings from his pocket, but he makes no move to answer it. “Ruby still calling?” I ask, and he shrugs. “Maybe you should just talk to her. She might stop if you do.”
“I spoke to her once. I said what I needed to and I don’t want to speak to her again. It’s done. She needs to take the hint.”
“Women find it harder to let go. Have you let her explain her side?”
“I’m not interested.”
