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“What the fuck?” I gasped and read the headline. “Have you seen this?” I asked Dylan.
He sent me a sharp nod, carried over my coffee, and grabbed one of the chairs to sit next to me.
“Socialite accused of stealing charity funds,” I read it out loud.
“Carry on,” Dylan encouraged.
I did and was horrified. It appeared there was an accounting discrepancy, and the information had been mailed to the trustees of the three charities my mother was on. Basically, she was accused of stealing nearly half a million dollars in money from them.
“Leila tracked it all back and sent the evidence when you gave me permission,” Dylan said.
I nodded absently and read on.
“It says here about her charitable background and that the police might be looking at other charities she served on. The report also mentions Shania and me and the fact I work here. Will that cause trouble for you?” I asked, worried.
I didn’t want to bring shit down on Hawthorne’s or on Dylan. If I was about to be smeared by the media, and it probably would happen, Hawthorne might lose customers.
“Nope. And if we lose clients, so fucking what? We’re booked for months in advance, you know that. Don’t worry about it, Dana,” Dylan replied.
I guessed he meant well, but seeing my name in the paper had frightened and shocked me. I felt the beginnings of a headache and rubbed my temples.
“Ellen’s looking for an escape,” Dylan said, and I gazed at him, confused.
Ellen?
“Axel’s wife,” Dylan added.
“I don’t understand.”
“Spok to Ezra late last night when I knew that this shit would hit today. I’m giving you a two-week paid vacation with him, and it starts tomorrow. However, I am sending you home this afternoon to pack and do what you need to. Ellen wants a break from the chaos at Rage, so she’ll be covering you. She’s due to arrive in the next half an hour if you can just show her the systems. And Marissa is going to cover our payroll.”
“You’re getting rid of me?” I asked, clutching my stomach as nausea rose. I could feel the panic inside me, battling to get out.
“Nope, don’t be stupid, Dana. I’m getting you out of the way before the media frenzy hits. I can protect you here, but not out there. Not properly, anyway, and I do not want them hounding you. Ezra has somewhere he’s going to take you to help you relax and strengthen your shields, so when you get back, you can deal with the media,” he said.
“I’m not fired?” I gasped as relief washed over me.
“Now, why would I do that? I started this with your permission, so why fire you? Baby girl, you are one of us, and you’ve done nothing wrong. Stop over-reacting and settle down. Make a list of things to tell Ellen, and go, honey. Ezra said something about needing a swimsuit, jeans, sweaters, or tees and hiking boots. You’re not going to a hotel, so pack as if you were home,” Dylan replied.
“Why would you pack if you were at home?” I asked, and Dylan shook his head.
“Dana, you’re pushing buttons. You know what I mean. This is your way of hitting back because Ezra and I arranged shit without you knowing,” Dylan retorted. Then he rose to his feet and kissed my forehead. “Go have some fun and relax. I’ll have a statement ready for you to release when you return. Hawthorne’s Investigative Services will be fine.”
“How much would you like to bet on that? Within a few days, you’ll be begging Dana to come back,” Ellen announced from the door. Beside her was Max, and they must have arrived together.
“Good morning,” Dylan said, and Ellen chuckled.
“For me, it is. You might start thinking twice about things, though. I won’t spoil you boys like Dana does!” Ellen warned with a merry twinkle.
Dylan and Max both let out a heartfelt sigh, and Max placed his hand on his chest.
“Dana, my sister of the heart, doesn’t leave us to this unfeeling monster who won’t indulge us!” he exclaimed dramatically.
“No doughnuts for you today,” Ellen said, waggling her fingers, and it was then I noticed Max was carrying three large boxes from The Reading Nook. If I were a gambling girl, I’d bet they were full of pasties and cakes from Penny.
“I’m telling Axel you’re bullying us!” Max declared, and Ellen chuckled.
“Go ahead. Because Axel will always do as I wish if he wants to have sex anytime soon!” Ellen retorted.
