He’s dead, Gabi, she told herself. He can’t hurt you now.
Chapter Five
She was screwed. Before falling into a fitful sleep, she’d found a second account under Gabi Picano, one smack in the thick of Colombia. This one had a steady stream of money coming and going. The infusion of funds correlated with the withdrawals of the larger offshore account, which led her to believe that they were tied. Whoever was playing with one account was playing with the other.
Gabi woke with the intention of dragging Samantha into her troubles, only to find a message on her cell phone telling her to take care of any and all Alliance needs. Jordan had been transferred to the ICU and everything Alliance had to wait.
When she lifted the phone to call her brother, she stopped herself. Val had fished her out of hot water once before. A mess she made by trusting the wrong person. If blowing off Blackwell and landing in prison would only affect her, she might consider taking her chances.
But it wouldn’t.
Alonzo had taught her that she could do nothing without it affecting everyone around her. Her trust in him nearly got her sister-in-law killed.
Instead of pulling in others to shovel her out of her past, Gabi decided it was time to dig herself out.
She brought up the boilerplate contracts Alliance used and started to modify them.
Two hours later she contacted the Alliance attorney and sent her an e-mail. Before Gabi could shower, Lori Cumberland called. “What in the world is this?” she asked in disbelief.
“It’s a contract.”
“A contract someone will actually sign?”
“Did I add something that’s illegal?” Gabi was fairly certain that every clause that had ever been placed in an Alliance contract was legal. She decided a few other conditions needed to be in writing.
“Not illegal . . . just . . . wow. Am I reading this right? This is between you and Hunter Blackwell?”
The thought of marriage made her shudder. “That’s correct.”
“The zillionaire Hunter Blackwell?”
“Not sure about the zillion . . . but yes. I need to know if the conditions I added can be held up in court.”
To render a lawyer speechless left a certain smile on Gabi’s face.
“He’d be stupid to sign this.”
“Or desperate.”
Lori paused. “Does Sam know about this?”
“Her sister is really ill, Lori. She asked that I handle the Blackwell account.”
“I don’t think that means you have to marry the man. From what I hear, he’s an ass.”
Gabi smiled for the first time in hours. “An ass that will have me handing it to him if he violates our contract. Is it legal?”
“I need to modify a few words, but yeah. Wow.”
“Glad you approve.”
Lori sighed. “Approve? I’m impressed. I didn’t consider you the shrewd one. Make sure I’m invited to the wedding.”
Gabi doubted a ceremony was forthcoming. “I need to get these to Blackwell before noon. Can you modify and send them back?”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Me, too,” she muttered before hanging up.
The tight black dress stopped above her knees, her black stockings had beads up the back that turned heads when she passed. Tall and slender had always been a gift to Gabi, she used it now by adding an extra four inches with her stilettos. Her hair was slicked back in a simple knot.
With her back straight, Gabi walked up to the ground floor security, expecting her first delay.
When she mentioned her name, they waved her through and escorted her to a bank of elevators. She stepped in and ignored the looks around her.
Blackwell Enterprises held the entire top floor of the building, making the reception space larger than the ground floor of Gabi’s home.
She commanded attention as she walked to the desk. The receptionist offered a brilliant smile.
“Miss Masini for Mr. Blackwell.”
The smile stayed and the twentysomething model-perfect woman blinked. “Right away, Miss Masini. I’ll call Tiffany.”
Gabi ignored the roll of tension down her spine. Walking into the office had been too easy.
She turned away from the desk, hoping to hide her nerves. The entire way into the city, she questioned her decision. Then again, Blackwell would probably shred her contract.
The quick, steady click of heels slowed as they approached. “Miss Masini?”
Gabi turned and couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m Tiffany, Mr. Blackwell’s personal secretary.”
The introduction instantly had Gabi envisioning a very personal position between Hunter and the lovely woman beside her. She was luscious, beautiful, and appeared too innocent to be hooked up with the likes of Hunter. Gabi felt an instant desire to shelter the younger woman from the evil man.