SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 229
229 A Hidden Storm
(Winona)
I arrive at the office, but my thoughts are still clouded with everything that happened this morning. Cass's words, her defiance, they all replay in my mind.
Is she using again?
And if she is, how do I help her without pushing her away?
Probably not how I reacted this morning. I sigh. I practically booted her out. I flick her a quick text apologizing and say I hope she will be home when I get home today.
Phillip greets me as I step into our shared workspace. He looks up from his desk, a knowing look in his eyes. "You okay? You look a little...tense." Aside from Jayden and Anne, Phillip knows me the best.
We spent a lot of time together, for work and in our personal lives. We're close work associates again, and friends. I'm building my trust for him back up again. Which is nice.
I sigh, sliding into the chair opposite him. "It's Cass. She didn't come home last night. Went out with Mia again and walked in looking like she'd been through hell. We had an argument. She said she's moving out." Phillip frowns, setting down the papers he was holding. Moving out? That's sudden."
"I know." I rub my temples, trying to fight off the growing headache. "I don't know what to do. She's angry, defensive. Then I got angry and told her I'd help her pack."
"Oh. I see. Well, you two have argued before and survived it."
"I'm worried she might be using again."
"Are you sure?"
"How sure can you ever be? But she isn't acting like the person I've come to know."
"It's tough."
"I don't know which Cass is the real Cass. Maybe she's been trying to be someone she isn't around me. Maybe this is the real Cass."
"I think she is just going to make her own mistakes, as we all do. I also think she'll find her way."
"Not if she's using drugs again."
Phillip's expression softens. "I can talk to her as a recovering addict. Maybe I can see if there's a support group she'd feel comfortable in. Sometimes, it's easier to hear it from someone who's been through it."
I nod slowly. "Just... don't make it obvious. She's already on edge. If she feels like we're ganging up on her, she'll push away even harder."
Phillip gives me a reassuring smile. "I'll keep it low-key. We'll find a way to help her."
"We have a mountain of work to do here, I need to focus."
Phillip leans back in his chair. "Yeah, Brennan Industries offered us a marketing contract. It's lucrative."
229 A Hidden Storm
+25 BONUS
I pause, feeling a knot tighten in my chest. "I'm not sure we can accept it. Jayden still has a no-contact order against Judy." Phillip nods thoughtfully. "That could complicate things. But if Jayden's okay with it, I could handle it. It's a good opportunity."
"I'll talk to Jayden about it later," I say. "I trust your judgment on this. But we need to be careful."
Our conversation is interrupted when Gus steps into the room, without knocking, his face serious. Winona, Phillip-there's something we need to talk about."
I raise an eyebrow, gesturing for him to sit. "What's going on?"
Gus closes the door behind him, lowering his voice. "I've had the new family to looked into. Maria's father... he's not just anyone. He's a high-ranking diplomat in Cuba." "Okay. So?"
"Who's currently under secret investigation for his possible involvement in drug and people smuggling through South America to the USA."
I feel my stomach drop. "What?"
Phillip stiffens beside me. "Are you serious?"
Gus nods grimly. "Maria hasn't spoken to him since she had Gabriel, as far as I've found out. But this ring is known for grooming young people to open smuggling avenues into the U.S."
"Surely they aren't involved, it's far too obvious. They happen to just find out who Greg really was and turn up? The authorities would see through that."
"They plant sleepers, sometimes generations in advance. I don't know if Maria's involved, but we can't ignore the possibility. This whole investigation involves undercover agents. It's been ongoing for years, but they can't get enough evidence to take anyone down." I stare at him, my mind racing. "Are you saying Greg's kids could be connected to this?"
Gus hesitates. "I don't know. But with Jayden's shares, any of them can start a business or invest in one here in the US to get their green card. It would be a perfect cover for smuggling."
I shake my head, trying to process the information. "This is...this is insane."
"I'm going to see Maria," Gus says, standing up. "I don't know if it will help. But we need to be cautious. We don't know who we're dealing with. I think we need to tell the authorities what we know about them." "Does Judy know?"
"No. I'm not telling her anything about this but I want Jayden to know."
"Don't you trust Judy?"
"Not with this. I think the less she knows the better. If Gabriel is involved then it's better he thinks he has Judy in his pocket for now."
"Is he dangerous?"
229 A Hidden Storm
#25 BONUS
"No. It's not like that. If anything, he would be a contact to corrupt people here, passing Information. It's more likely that he doesn't even realize he's a pawn. That's the way it works. Young people are promised a job and life in the USA in return for certain things." "How do you know so much about this?"
"I have friends in high places."
"What if they get to the US and refuse to do the things? I ask.
"They threaten the welfare of their families back home, and If It's extreme, their lives."
"Jesus."
"I'll keep you updated," Gus says.
As he leaves, I glance at Phillip. His face mirrors my own worry.
"Can we trust them?" I ask quietly. "I mean, Cass is already sucked in by Mia. What if she's just using her. I mean, she's a perfect target, isn't she? Get her hooked back on the very drugs they want to get in here." Phillip exhales, shaking his head. "I don't know, Winona, Maybe I ne