Chapter 49: Chapter 49

I could picture the frown on Jasmine’s face as Dennis personally led her into the building.

My eyes were glued to my phone screen, which projected the view from the lens in the glasses Jasmine wore. The staff in the lobby barely spared the two of them a glance as they scanned the fake ID Stefano had made for Jasmine.

Today, she would be Ana Delgato, Dennis Romney’s newest personal assistant.

Jasmine turned her head so I could see just how close Dennis stood next to her. A piece of paper wouldn’t fit between them.

She turned back to the receptionist to take her ID. I looked for any sign of annoyance or discomfort on the receptionist’s face, but didn’t see any. She was obviously used to seeing her boss be handsy with his personal assistant.

“Are you sure it’s okay if we’re seen this close at work?” Jasmine asked, shocking me at how easily she could make her voice sound coquettish.

This was a side of her I’d never seen before, and it was interesting.

As Dennis guided her through the lobby and toward the elevator bank, their reflection bounced off the glass panel on the wall. Dennis had his arm wrapped around Jasmine’s waist, his hand slimily sitting on her ass.

I tried my hardest not to cringe. I knew Jasmine wanted to push the bastard away, but she knew how important this was, so she would endure just about anything to get into his private office.

I heard Dennis chuckle as he replied to her. “It’s all right, baby. People have office romances all the time. It’s nothing new.”

Jasmine turned to look at him, and I got a good side profile of his face. “But you just hired me. People are going to think I seduced you to get my position. Especially since you’re married…”

The smile on his face waned, and I could tell her words annoyed him. “Let them talk. They’ll keep their mouths shut if they know what’s good for them.”

He turned and leaned into the camera. I winced when I heard the sound of a smooch. The camera shook, and I heard Dennis mutter, “Shit.”

Jasmine quickly apologized. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to step on your foot. You caught me off guard. Are you all right?” I could hear the grit in her voice, telling me just how irritated she was.

I slapped a hand over my mouth to hold in my laughter.

“She’s going to have your head when she gets out of there,” Stefano murmured from his place behind me.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” I chuckled once again.

In a way, I was happy that it wasn’t me in there. I didn’t think I’d be able to act as well as Jasmine.

Jasmine used the stumble to create some distance between them.

“I’m fine,” Dennis said through clenched teeth as he led her toward the elevator.

“You want to peel your skin off, don’t you?” I couldn’t help but ask her in amusement.

Jasmine turned her head to the side, and a middle finger suddenly popped into view.

I laughed.

Dennis took caution and didn’t get too close to her again. He was a smart man. Though I knew Jasmine wouldn’t hesitate to stomp on his foot again if he tried something else.

“Don’t lose focus,” Stefano reminded me.

“Of course. Can’t a girl laugh to get her nerves out?”

How could I not focus in this situation? If anything, I was too focused. My eyes stared at the screen, making sure I didn’t miss anything.

This was nerve-racking.

I was going to kill someone in broad daylight. If you’d told me eleven months ago that I’d be sitting in an empty room in a high-rise building, preparing to use a sniper rifle to murder a known sex trafficker, I wouldn’t have believed you.

I squeezed my hands together to stop the tremor in them.

I couldn’t back out now. We’d already come so far. I was so close to reaching the end. In this world, if you hesitated, you died.

“You’ll be fine,” Stefano said.

“I don’t need reassurance right now; I need courage,” I murmured. “Now, be quiet.”

The elevator dinged as it opened on the top floor. The floor was only accessible to a few company executives and Dennis’s personal secretary. You needed a special key card to gain entry.

I researched every nook and cranny of the company to ensure that Jasmine could infiltrate it smoothly, and as she stepped onto the executive floor, I knew my hard work had paid off.

They walked down a hallway and into an open area with a large reception desk next to his office door. A woman in her mid-twenties, and very obviously pregnant, was sitting at the desk.

She stood as they approached and greeted Dennis. “Mr. Romney. Good morning.”

Dennis nodded and gestured toward Jasmine. “Good morning, Siri. This is Ana. She’ll be your replacement while you’re on maternity leave. Train her well, would you? She’s an important friend of mine.” He flashed his perverted smile.

Siri smiled tightly and nodded. “Of course, sir.”

I quickly informed Jasmine. “That’s Siri Bradley. She’s the one you’re stepping in for. She’s married, but it’s rumored that the child isn’t her husband’s. She’s been having sex with Dennis since she was hired two years ago.”

“Nice to meet you,” Jasmine chirped.

Dennis placed his hand on Jasmine’s shoulder, and Jasmine looked down just in time for me to catch his fingers tracing circles onto her exposed collarbone.

I got goosebumps as a chill ran down my spine.

“You’re in good hands, baby,” Dennis said. “I have a meeting to prepare for, so I’ll check in on you later. Don’t forget what you promised me.” He shot her a pointed look.

“Of course,” Jasmine replied. “Lunchtime is definitely perfect for that. I’ll properly ~thank you~ for getting me this job.”

His eyes lit up as his smile widened. “Good, good. I’ll see you then. Siri, make sure to clear my lunch schedule.”

“Of course, sir.”

We watched as he swiped his key card and disappeared into his office.

Jasmine then turned to Siri, and I was surprised when her bubbly voice suddenly fell back to normal.

“Is that his baby?” she asked Siri, pointing at the woman’s stomach.

I almost face-palmed.

“You don’t just ask someone that!” I hissed, but Jasmine ignored me.

Siri froze, her face flushing red as she refuted hotly. “Excuse me? You just got here, and you’re already starting rumors? Do you take this job seriously? Dennis and I… How could we… I’d never do that to my husband.”

She shot Jasmine a glare, clearly trying to hide the panic behind her frantic eyes.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Jasmine pointed out, continuing to drill the woman. “Many women have children with men who aren’t their husbands.”

Jasmine sounded like she was trying to vent all her anger after having to suffer through spending time with that vile man.

I honestly needed to think of a way I could reward her for helping me do this.

Everyone around Dennis was scum, so I didn’t feel too bad about her targeting the secretary.

Siri collected herself and narrowed her eyes. “Ana, correct? You’re being very disrespectful right now. For someone who just got this position, you’re very confident, but here’s a little word of advice: Meat never stays fresh.”

“Damn. That was a good one,” I said.

“Not good enough,” Jasmine murmured. Her voice was low enough that I knew she was addressing me. She spoke louder to Siri. “That’s why you’re being replaced, is it not?”

“Perfect comeback.”

Stefano chuckled. “Is this entertaining for you?”

“Shhh, let me focus,” I hushed him.

I could feel the tension from here as they both stared at each other. After a moment of silence, Jasmine asked, “Shall we start my training?”

Siri hesitated, then nodded, gesturing toward the seat next to her. “Sit. Have you been an executive assistant before?”

Jasmine placed her bag on the side and took a seat to begin her training. A while later, Dennis left his office to attend his business meeting. Jasmine gave him a little wave, which he smiled and winked at.

“Someone doesn’t like that,” I said as I noticed Siri glancing between the two of them, a troubled look on her face.

For someone with a husband, she sure seemed to have an attachment to her boss. Was it because of the generous pay bonuses she often received? Or something else?

Jasmine turned to Ana. “Is something wrong?” Her voice was goading, and I knew she was doing it on purpose.

Siri shook her head and turned her gaze back to the computer screen. “Focus on sorting through those files,” she mumbled.

Jasmine chuckled and did as she was told.

An hour later, Siri got up and excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.

We watched her turn the corner and disappear from view.

“I’m never fucking doing this again,” Jasmine growled.

I laughed. “What do you mean? This is some real ass spy action shit. You should be more excited.”

Of course, I was only trying to lighten the mood. If it got dark, I was afraid my heart wouldn’t hold up.

Jasmine huffed. “Why didn’t you do it then? Since you’re so into spies.”

She got up from her seat and picked up the files and her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.

Her heels clacked against the floor as she approached Dennis’s office door and looked around to make sure the coast was clear.

Using the key card that Stefano and I had acquired for her, she swiped it on the panel and watched as the light turned green.

I heard her take a deep breath, mentally bracing herself as she twisted the knob.

The door creaked open.