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He laughs darkly. “Sweetheart, your Thomas would be the happiest man on earth if I brought him into my organization today and showered him with riches that he is too lazy to acquire on his own merit.”
“He will not. You simply can’t even fathom that there are good men out there, can you? Men who will give up their-”
“No.” He shakes his head. “There may be a few good men out there, but I’m afraid Francesca, Thomas is not one of them.”
“Get out!”
“I will, but not before I prove it to you.” He walks to the door. “I’m tired of you deluding yourself and throwing in my face a man who isn’t half the man I am.” He jerks the door open and shouts, “Vance!”
“Yes, Boss.” Vance appears instantly, as if he’s been waiting for Valentino’s call.
“Who’s our guy in Fox Media. Get him on the phone.”
“Okay, Boss.”
I gasp, wondering what Valentino is up to now. Thomas talks about Fox Media with so much disdain. He considers Rupert Murdoch almost like the devil incarnate, and he once swore to me that he would never work for an organization like that. He hates organizations that use their platforms to champion corrupt causes while important ones like human rights and freedom of speech remain buried.
“James Volkner,” Vance says, and hands the phone to Valentino, who instantly puts it on speaker for my benefit.
“Mr. Barone,” James Volkner says cordially. “Good to hear from you. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
“I need you to do something for me real quick.”
“Sure, anything,” James says crisply. “I’d love to help.”
“There’s someone I want you to employ. His name is Thomas Dwight. He’s twenty-seven years old. Graduated top of his class in English literature.”
I’m not even shocked that Valentino knows all these details about Thomas. Like he said, he’s the Boss. Nothing gets past him.
“Okay? Can he send in a resume?”
“No.” Valentino shakes his head. “I’m only doing this to prove a point.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll send you his details shortly. I want you to reach out to him and offer him a spot in your organization. Just a junior position. Nothing too dazzling. But on one condition. That he can no longer champion human rights or freedom of speech, can you do that for me? Right now?”
“I’ll do anything within my power for you, and this is within my power. Forward his details to me, and I’ll call you back with a report in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, James.” He hangs up the call and hands the phone over to Vance. “Send James everything he needs.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Valentino turns to me. “Thomas will never agree to it,” I sneer. “I know him. He’s championed these causes all his life. He’s not going to give them up for a stupid junior job at Murdoch’s organization.”
“He’s been posturing,” Valentino argues. “Pretending to be what he’s not. But maybe that’s the kind of man you like. I’veshown you all of me, but you frown down upon it and throw this bastard in my face every fucking chance you get. I’m the bad one, but I’ve never rubbed another woman in your face.”
“Doing it behind my back doesn’t make it any better.”
“I will not defend my honor to you, Francesca. I’ve done that many more times than I’m proud of. If this is what you believe, then so be it.”
He turns away at the same time the phone rings.
“It’s James, Boss.”
“Take the call and put it on speaker.”
Vance obeys.