Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO STOPPED APOLOGIZING
The next morning, Dominic called me into his office.
I expected questions.
Instead, he placed a document on his desk.
A formal promotion.
Director of Financial Integrity.
A salary increase.
A dedicated investigative team.
And authority to review every legitimate subsidiary's financial records.
I stared.
“Mr. Falcone…”
He leaned back.
“You've been doing the work for months.”
I shook my head.
“I can't accept this.”
His expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because my brother is missing.”
“And?”
“Because if I accept a promotion now, people will think I'm being rewarded for getting involved in something dangerous.”
Dominic studied me.
“Gemma, you found evidence of fraud.”
I looked down.
“And someone threatened me.”
“Yes.”
“And Owen disappeared.”
“Yes.”
I swallowed.
“Then I don't want a reward.”
He waited.
“I want answers.”
Dominic nodded slowly.
“Fair.”
He slid the document closer.
“Then take the authority you need to find them.”
I stared at him.
For two years, I had been the woman who brought coffee, organized calendars, and corrected everyone else's mistakes.
Now Dominic Falcone was offering me a seat at the table.
Not because I had slept on his shoulder.
Because I had earned it.
I picked up the document.
Then looked at him.
“One condition.”
His eyebrow rose.
“What?”
“No more forty-six-hour shifts.”
For the first time in days, Dominic laughed.
“Agreed.”
I smiled.
Then added:
“And I want the right to tell you when you're wrong.”
May you like
His smile widened.
“Gemma, you've been doing that since your interview.”
