Dante's Fire Read Free Page B

women did. Female friendship puzzled her, with their catty ways, and their consistent talk about babies, marriage, or houses. She adored her apartment, her freedom, and her money. Yes, she was lonely at times, but never enough to want to sacrifice herself for an angst-ridden relationship, or a casual one night stand that may make her feel worse in the morning.
    She did things on her terms and enjoyed every moment.
    Her earpiece pinged. She clicked the button. "Hello?"
    "Rogers! Down at the bar at six. Last one here buys first round."
    She chuckled at the sound of her colleague Tom’s voice. "Let me guess. Everyone's down at McAleers already?"
    "You got it."
    "Have a beer on me. I have hours of work ahead.”
    His groan rumbled in her ear. “You gonna make everyone feel like shit for leaving at five on a Friday? How’s that for fucking morale?”
    “You should feel like shit. But if you get your ass in here by six am tomorrow and help me out, I’ll forgive you.”
    She held back a laugh as her teammate cursed with a few colorful verses. “Fine. If I get everyone to agree, will you get your ass here in an hour?”
    She calculated how much she could get done, what she’d accomplish with her team in the early hours of the morning, and took a leap. “Give me two. And you better be still standing when I get there.”
    “No promises, but we’ll take it. You’re gonna be behind on beers though, so you may need to do shots.”
    Ugh. She hated shots, but she knew the drill well. “Fine, but if I’m still conscious, you’re buying dinner. And you better reach deep, Tommy, because I hold out for steak - no burger."
    He gave an answering laugh. "Not worried. Gary is always the pussy. He’ll get stuck with the bill.”
    "You're right. See you later.”
    She clicked off, shook her head, and concentrated on the contract. No more moony dreaming over Daniel Stark. Yes, he was sexy in a rebel type way, but he’d never fit into her life. Since she was never comfortable with casual sex, there was no ending imaginable except a disastrous one. Lord knows she’d come too far to take a wrong path now.
    Selina got back to work.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    F RIDAY nights at the Irish pub McAleers became a tradition with the team at Inferno. The normal routine consisted of long hours, scrambling, and wining and dining. Fridays were set aside for some serious drinking, gossiping, bitching, and a mean game of darts. It was usually the highlight of Selina’s week.
    She'd already changed into her jeans and casual sweater, and after pounding back two Jameson’s to her team’s delight, she now nursed a wimpy Coors Lite, watching Tom and Gary wage war on the dartboard. The music blared, and the after work crowd clustered in battered tables, booths and around the bar. She relaxed with her feet up on the opposite chair and let the familiar surroundings settle around her.
    When she first got on the all-male acquisitions team at Inferno, she assumed it would be an uphill battle for survival. Pleasantly surprised, the group of three men gave her a fair opportunity to carve out her own niche in the pack, or crash and burn. So, Selina had grit her teeth and made sure she dazzled them. She worked harder, stayed later, and closed the first deal on her own. After that, respect came with the opportunity and she never looked back.
    Selina also learned early in the game how to succeed in the executive boys’ club. The two main requirements consisted of a sharp sense of humor and a thick skin. She'd never once had to worry about harassment, but she doubted she would have been as close to the team if she hated bars, beer, and occasional crudeness.
    Her conversation with Daniel flashed in her mind. Yes, she loved opera, and fine dining and art museums. Money brought that type of culture and opportunity. Selina never apologized for it, and enjoyed the finer points of life, but growing up in a foster home with a bunch of step-siblings, with no one to depend