Page 42 of My Ghost

“You work for Matteo, right?”she asks lightly.

Matteo, not Mr.Di Rossi.

I nod.“I do.Data science.”

She lights up.“How exciting!I’m on his team too, hospitality division.”

She doesn’t say it outright and I don’t push, but I know she must be a hostess at the club.

Jade is sweet, though, endearing even, I realize while we talk outside the elevator.Not the ice-queen I would have expected.Her laugh is soft, her manners open and warm.And something about the way she talks about Matteo, the subtle warmth in her voice, something fond, admiring, but also sad, makes it clear that she likes him.Maybe more than that.

And judging from the way she looks in that suit, and the way she probably looks even better out of it, of course he’s sleeping with her.The thought crashes through me before I can stop it.

Why wouldn’t he?He is handsome, rich, and powerful.She is stunning, poised, and disarmingly sweet.Together, they look like the perfect match.

‘I never go there to indulge in the services the club offers,’ he said.

Obviously, he doesn’tneedto go there because he meets her here.

I feel my mind spiral.I’ve been so stupid to think that he would be interested in someone like me.Here I am, smiling like a fool while his lover rides the elevator with me and tells me about her shift.I press the button for our floor, my smile locked in place like a shield while shards of ice pierce my heart.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Erin

This morning, Dave and I loiter by the coffee machine on our floor.I am showing him a video of a cute raccoon and we both giggle at the goofiness of the critter.Allan didn’t join us—he is busy on the fourth floor on a surveillance mission, namely following a business deal over surveillance camera live feeds and coordinating possible backup.So it is only the two of us.

Dave has become a very good friend, and lately I have the feeling that he is looking at me like he wants it to be more than just friendship.I don’t know if I’m ready to date again, but his quiet attention fills the cracks in my heart with something warm.Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to date again, get back on the bike as they say.And I know that Dave would be the perfect boyfriend, he is funny, caring, and he’s smart.He has everything a girl would want.But I am not attracted to him, not in the slightest.

“Hey, I was thinking that we could go see a movie on Saturday evening?There’s a new sci-fi movie I’m sure you’ll like,” he asks me with a shy smile.

There it is, the decision I have to make.Panic claws its way up to my throat, and in a blink of an eye I realize that I need more time to lick my wounds.

“That sounds awesome—” I begin when a sharp bark cuts me off from behind us.

“That’s enough.You think I don’t see what you’re doing, Dave?Flirting with my consultant.Stay away from her or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

My jaw hangs open from shock.How.Dare.He.

“Matteo,” Dave says nervously, “I’m just talking.No harm meant.”

Matteo steps closer, now looming over us and looking like he is ready to rip Dave’s head off with his bare hands.

“Dave, you’re my employee, Erin’s my consultant.Mixing business with personal life complicates things.I can’t have distractions, not from anyone.Is that clear?”

Dave swallows hard but backs down.“All right, I get it.”

Matteo doesn’t spare him a glance, his cold eyes are on me.“Office, now.”

I trudge after him into his office, my fury ready to erupt.Once we are inside, Matteo slams the door shut and I whirl around to face him.

“What the hell, Matteo?”I scream, not caring if the whole city hears me through the walls.“Why do you have to go that far?You threatened Dave like he was some fiend.He’s a nice guy, a friend!”

“He’s not just afriend.He’s a fucking asshole trying to take what’s not his to take.”

I let out an unbelieving laugh.Is he for real?“I’m working for you, Matteo.I’m notyours.You can’t control me and prevent me from talking to other people.”

He takes a threatening step closer, and I am tempted to take a step back, but I won’t show him any weakness.