Free Conviction (The Cassano Series Book 4) by Scarlet Wolfe Page A

Victoria, I take the elevator to my office to do some work.
    What have I done? I don’t know if she will forgive me for this fuck up.
    I should’ve had the foresight to her response. It was classic Victoria behavior, and I’m beginning to think it was appropriate.
    Lights are on in the hallway, and I’m surprised since it’s past seven in the evening. I ease my pace once I hear Blanca speaking in her office. Her door is barely ajar, and her voice is low.
    Quietly, I step up to it and stop to listen.
    “I’m certain, Ms. D’Angelo, but he won’t tell me what he’s upset about. Maybe it’s something personal.”
    Holy fuck.
    “I know. I tried, but Theo won’t confide in me.”
    I sling her door open, causing her to jump. Without another word, she places her palm over her heart and lowers the receiver of the phone, hanging up on Ms. D’Angelo.
    “How long has this been going on?”
    “Adrian, I’m sorry.”
    “How long?!”
    “Since I became an employee.” Blanca’s round eyes express her shock, and it instantly reminds me of Victoria. I pull out my phone and call security.
    “This is Adrian. I need someone escorted off the premises. They’re by my office.” Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I glower at Blanca.
    “That was four years ago. Four years that we trusted you with our most private information. Pack up your things, and don’t ever step foot in this building again.”
    “Adrian, please let me explain. I started here as an informant, but you’ve become my friend. All of you have.”
    “We trusted you, Blanca. Get the fuck out, and you can tell Ms. D’Angelo to kiss my ass.”
    Slamming her door shut behind me, I march toward my office, and Theo steps out from his.
    “What’s with all the yelling?”
    “Our trusted friend Blanca is an FBI informant. She’s been leaking everything to them since she began working here. She’s the reason all this bullshit is happening.”
    Theo darts past me, and like I had done, he slings open her door. “You bitch. You’re likely the reason my marriage is over!”
    “Theo, I’m so sorry. I truly am.”
    “We trusted you all these years.”
    I hear Blanca sobbing. Hell, I need a drink. Figuring that Theo will handle her, I stride to my office and pour me a glass of scotch.
    This day has been one from hell. I’m over it. Taking a seat in my chair, I swivel around until I can see over the city. The lights from the Strip are beginning to beam brighter as the sun makes its descent.
    My personal assistant has been betraying me for years, and I believe Victoria left me tonight. Nothing is worth losing her over.
    My father would be proud of what my brothers and I have accomplished, but deep down I have always known he wouldn’t want us engaging in illegal practices. It’s time for all of this to come to an end.
    “I can’t believe it,” Theo says behind me. I swivel back around and hold up my glass.
    “Have a drink.”
    “I’ve already had a few.”
    “I overheard Blanca say you were upset about something. What happened?” Exhaling a sharp breath, he takes the seat in front of me.
    “Last night I told Karen about the Feds and what could happen. She was furious with me. When I got home today, she had her bags packed and said she was leaving me and taking Miranda and Elijah with her.”
    My brother strips off his already loosened tie. “She revealed that she’s been having an affair with a parent at the school. I guess he’s a divorced dad who makes his children more of a priority than I do.
    “She claims she was going to end things with the guy until I told her about the FBI. She said I don’t have my family’s best interest in mind if I could risk going to prison. She’d rather spend her nights with some candy-ass who bakes cookies for snack day.
    “You know, I’m home almost every evening and make all the kids extra-curricular activities, and she knew all along about what goes on in the lounges. I think she just wants to be with this