Chapter Six
“I’m sorry, Milena, but I have no choice.”
Tears welled up in Milena’s eyes as she read over the termination letter Maxine handed her. Someone, most likely the hacker, had sent a fabricated arrest notification for felony possession of methamphetamines to the board who oversaw the facility she worked for.
“We could lose our certification if the State found out we knowingly employed a felon.”
Lifting her head, Milena swallowed down the tears, donning a fake smile as she rose from her chair. “It isn't your fault, Maxine. If you didn't let me go today, this asshole,” Milena slammed her eyes and mouth shut as the unwelcomed curse left her lips. “Forgive me.” She started again, “The individual responsible would continue to elevate the issue until they got their desired reaction.”
Despite the truth falling from her lips, Milena was crushed beyond measure to lose her job. She adored the children she watched, caring for them as if they were her own, because in her eyes, these tiny miracles were as close to becoming a mother as she would ever get.
“What about the expert you met with last night, can they offer any help?”
After Milena had left the station, she’d stopped by the library, using one of their computers to investigate Keystone Securities. She’d found their webpage impressive, with dozens of testimonials on how exceptional their home security packages were. However, it was one comment in particular, an anonymous post in the personal security section, which crushed any hope of Mr. Kelly helping her. Best hundred grand I’ve ever spent to keep the paparazzi away.
“I’m afraid he’s out of my price range.”
Milena had a little over four thousand dollars to her name in the form of a wad of cash her Nona shoved in her hand as her father’s men tossed her into the street.
“Not that I believe anyone can help at this point.” Raising the page for emphasis. She’d made a decision after returning home last night, one which had the potential to hurt some of the people she loved.
“C’mere,” Maxine rose to her feet, spreading her arms wide as she cleared the distance to Milena. “Don't you dare give up hope,” Maxine whispered into her ear. “Take care of yourself and let me know where you end up. I don't care if it costs me my position, I’ll proudly write you a letter of recommendation.”
While Milena appreciated her boss's offer, she would never ask such a wonderful and gifted teacher to jeopardize her career.
“Thank you,” she whispered back, emotion spilling out and blurring her vision. “Goodbye.”
* * *
Milena suckedin a deep breath as she reached for the silver handle. Pulling the door open, she prayed she had the day correct and the man she’d considered a last resort was here.
“Can I help you?”
Gathering her courage, “Yes, I need to speak with Anthony Rossi.”
“And you are?” The dark-haired woman behind the counter snipped, her violet eyes scanning up and down Milena’s body in disdain.
“A friend.”
“Well, Friend, I don't have anyone by that name here at the moment.”
Milena was prepared for the staff to cover for him. Afterall, he’d bought this shop to keep his mistress happy while laundering funds for her father at the same time. “My mistake,” Milena covertly scanned the room as she pulled out her cellphone. “I’ll just call his wife and have her meet me here to wait for him.”
“Just a second,” the woman rushed. “He must have checked in while I was on break.”
Looking up from her faux call, Milena watched as the woman spoke softly on the phone, avoiding eye contact as she shuffled pens and paper on the desk.
“Follow me, please.” Ms. Dark Hair spoke softly, causing a satisfied smile to break out across Milena’s lips. She’d have an apology to give, that was for certain, however it wouldn't be to the hateful creature who knocked on the black-painted door with the words private scrolled on one of the horizontal panels.
Stepping over the threshold, Milena held back a giggle as her eyes landed on her Uncle Anthony as he sat in a salon chair, his thinning hair and eyebrows covered in dye.
“Are my eyes deceiving me, or is my sweet Milena standing before me?”
Clearing the short distance between them, Milena extended her cheek to his, placing a kiss to his chubby face. “Hello, Uncle Tony.”
Movement to her left kept her from saying anything else, her eyes landing on the slender woman with a bottle of what Milena suspected was more of the same hair dye.
“Raquel, why don’t you go next door and get us some lunch. You pick, so long as it will put some meat on these bones of my angel.” Tony kept his eyes locked on his niece as he handed several bills to his girlfriend of the last five years.
