“Every single one of those stories were not only solid, but corroborated by a number of witnesses.”

His expression shifted, sadness settling behind his soft brown eyes. “That isn’t what I asked, Cassie. Are you, or aren’t you, romantically involved with a man who’s allegedly involved in a mafia organization?”

The question came out of her boss’s mouth, but it registered in her head as though her father had voiced it.

She’d known it would come to this. Had kept her distance from Kir as soon as she’d learned about him for a very pragmatic reason.

And yet, she couldn’t find it in her to deny him. Couldn’t see past the smiles he’d given her. The passion and the connection that came with being with him, or the happiness that had her all but floating for the last four days.

Four days, Cassie. Are you really willing to trade your career on the whim of four days?

No, that was her mother talking. Not her own feelings or good sense. She didn’t have to make decisions based on what her parents thought. Or what Kir thought. Only what felt right to her.

She moistened her lips and tried to steady her voice. “The last time I checked, suspected doesn’t mean guilty. You yourself just used the term rumored.”

“This isn’t a courtroom Cassie. It’s a news station. Even if your previous stories were corroborated, there’s no way you can assure they were objective. Let alone maintain that objectivity going forward. And if it got out that one of our reporters was involved in a relationship with a man suspected of being part of a mafia organization, we’d lose all credibility.” He paused long enough to draw in a long breath. “Now, please answer the question.”

A part of her wanted to deny it. To cling to what she knew. What she’d fought so hard for, even if it wasn’t the real dream she’d wanted for herself.

But that was the old her. The frightened part of her trying to gain approval from people who simply couldn’t understand who she was. “The answer is yes. I’m in a relationship with Kir Vasilek. I’d only just met him when I first aired the stories about Alfonsi and didn’t begin a relationship with him until earlier this month, but I can absolutely say that neither Kir, nor Sergei Petrovyh, deserve the title of mafiya.”

Her boss must’ve caught the nuance in using the Russian form of the word versus the more traditionally used mafia, because his expression turned to one of defeat. “You and I both know it doesn’t work that way. Perception is reality, and your reality will have a negative impact on this station.” He paused long enough to sigh, then added, “I’m sorry, but this is a conflict of interest, pure and simple.”

“But I’m scheduled to anchor today.”

He shook his head. “Not anymore you’re not. I called Lizbet in to back you up just in case. I told her to be prepared to step in after we talked.” He rubbed his hands awkwardly back and forth, a nervous gesture either fueled by the difficult situation he’d been put in, or the fact that he’d waded into uncomfortable territory with the girlfriend of a mobster. “I’m sorry, Cassie, but you have to go.”