Moonstone: Gems of Wolfe Island One

I love Katelyn.

Fuck it all, I love her.

But I can’t be with her.

The truth.

The truth of my own words.

The truth is that I’m no better than Anthony DeCarlo.

I’m no one. I’m everyone.

My past no longer matters.

Except that it does.

And I can’t get any more deeply involved.

35

Katelyn

I’m back at my place, showered and dressed in navy pants, a white blouse, a string of faux pearls around my neck, when Zee calls again.

“Hi there,” I say into the phone.

“Hey. Just got home, and I had a thought.”

“Yeah?”

“Reid needs an assistant. His former assistant, Terrence, had to…leave.”

“He did?”

“Yeah. Long story that I don’t want to get into. But I said to him, ‘what about Katelyn?’ And my sweet husband said he’d be happy to talk to you.”

“Assistant to the CEO—”

“He’s the COO, actually. His brother Rock is the CEO.”

“Whatever. The top two guys in the company? I’m not qualified, Zee.”

“Can you type?”

“Yeah. I mean I learned keyboarding in school just like everyone else.”

“Can you read?”

“Zee, what kind of question is that?”

“It’s a valid one these days, and I already know you can. You’re a smart woman, Katelyn. You can do this.”

“I don’t know anything about running an office.”

“Rock’s assistant, Jarrod, will train you. Each office works differently. No matter how much experience you have, you’d need training.”

“I have no experience. I was on my way to college when all this shit went down, Zee. I have no experience in the real world.”

“You don’t want an office job?”

“Sure, I’d love an office job. One that I’m qualified for. Something entry level.”

A sigh from Zee, and then a cute little oink from the baby. “It’s okay, sweetie.” Then to me, “I’m nursing, and Nora’s having trouble latching on.”

“Nora?”

“Yeah. That’s our nickname for Honor. My sister-in-law Lacey came up with it.”

“Yeah, cute. But Zee—”

“In every business,” she says, “it’s more about who you know than what you know. Reid is willing to chat with you. You need to take this opportunity, Katelyn.”

“But that building…”

The thought of it… The place where I fought for my life, was indeed ready to end my life. It’s hard enough to live this close to it.

“I get it. But I live in that building now. The building isn’t to blame. The people are. Derek Wolfe, Father Jim, and the others. It was them, not the building. Besides, that underground prison was filled in years ago. It no longer exists.”

I sigh. I’d be a fool to let this opportunity slip by. Besides, once I try to do the job, Zee and Reid will both realize they’ve made a mistake, but maybe I can get some experience under my belt. “Okay, Zee. Thank you.”

“Great. Reid wants to talk to you today at two. Can you make it?”

“Sure. What else do I have going on?”

The Wolfe Building.

This is where I was originally held captive. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was it. This is where both my shoulders were pulled out of their sockets.

This was where I first met Zee…all those years ago.

I stand in front of it, craning my neck and looking upward. It’s massive, like a mirrored monster looking over the city.

It’s no Empire State Building or anything like that, but it still looms large in my sight.

Even the biggest buildings can topple.

Look at the World Trade Center.

I inhale a deep breath and walk through the revolving doors. I stop at reception.

“May I help you?” a young woman, Bluetooth lodged in her ear, asks.

“I have an appointment with Mr. Wolfe.”

“Mr. Rock Wolfe or Mr. Reid Wolfe?”

“I’m sorry. Reid.”

“Name?”

“Katelyn Brooks.”

She nods and speaks into her Bluetooth. “Katelyn Brooks for Mr. Reid Wolfe.” Pause. “Thank you. I’ll send her up.” She hands me a small card. “The elevators are to your right. Follow the instructions on the card and check in with reception up there.” She hands me a tag that says visitor. “Clip this on.”

I lift my eyebrows and then notice two security guards.

“The Wolfes take security very seriously,” the receptionist says.

“Right.” I clip the tag to my blouse. “Thank you.”

Once in the elevator, my stomach is flopping. I’m not sure it’s because the elevator is going very fast, which it is, or because of the interview I have with Reid.

Reid loves his wife. If Zee wants me in this position, I will probably get it.

Do I want it?

Sure.

Can I do it?

That’s another question altogether.

The elevator stops, jolting my stomach back into place. the doors slide open and I step out cautiously. Glass walls meet me. Wolfe Enterprises is etched in serif lettering.

I gather my courage, open the glass door, and walk in toward another reception desk.

“Good morning,” a receptionist, this one a young man, says.

“Hi. I’m here to see Reid Wolfe.” I swallow, trying not to feel as nervous as I am. “Katelyn Brooks.”

“Just a minute, please.” He talks into his Bluetooth just like the lobby receptionist, except this time I’m not listening.