Page 417 of Savage Bosses

"Yes, it's a surprise. I thought you were out of the country. I heard you'd been in Russia," Melinda said, voice shaking slightly.

Before Tati could respond, one of Melinda's friends spoke up.

"Is she one of your friends?" the redhead asked.

Melinda opened her mouth, then closed it, unsure how to respond.

"Melinda and I go way back," Tati replied. "She's the best at giving advice. She's always looking out for me. If it weren't for her, I never would've left the country and become a traveling chef. Thanks, Melinda," Tatia continued, placing her hand on Melinda's slender shoulder and giving it a not-so-gentle squeeze. "Thanks for giving me the courage to leave here. But I'm back now. And I'm ready to settle the score... I mean, settle down. You ladies enjoy your desserts. I have to get back to work. Tell Bryceson I said hi," Tati told Melinda before turning and heading back toward the kitchen.

Tatianna was on her way to the kitchen when the bell over the café's door jingled, announcing a new customer. She glanced up to greet the newcomer with a warm smile. But when she saw who'd just entered, the smile died on her lips, and a gasp escaped her. Bryce Cattaneo stood there, in the flesh, looking like he'd stepped straight out of her dreams and into her reality.

Five years—it had been five long years since she'd last seen him, and yet, it felt like an eternity. Tati's heart hammered in her chest, threatening to burst from the overwhelming shock. Her knees trembled, barely able to support her as a myriad of emotions surged through her.

Bryce's dark eyes widened, his brows lifting in surprise as they locked onto hers. For a brief moment, he appeared almost vulnerable, the longing in his gaze unmistakable. It seemed as if time itself stood still while they drank each other in, neither of them able to look away.

Melinda sauntered over to Bryce with a smug grin on her face. She tried to claim his attention, but his eyes remained locked on Tatiana. Undeterred, Melinda wrapped her arm around his, leaning into him seductively.

"Bryce, I'm so happy to see you," she purred, trying to pull his gaze away from Tati.

Melinda's words snapped her out of the haze she was in. She realized she couldn't face him—not yet. With a deep breath, she turned and rushed back toward the kitchen.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw him shove Melinda off him. His eyes never left Tati as he stalked after her, his long strides closing the distance between them.

"Shit," Tati muttered, quickening her pace as she hurried toward the kitchen.

She could feel his presence behind her, like a hungry predator closing in on its prey. She yelped when Bryce grabbed her arm just as she stepped into the kitchen. The electricity that shot through them was undeniable, but she refused to let it control her.

She tried to jerk away from him. Without a word, he pulled her through the maze of stainless-steel appliances and busy chefs, who stared in shock but did nothing to stop him.

"Let go of me!" Tati exclaimed, trying to wrench her arm free, but his grip only tightened. He dragged her to the break room, where he pushed her inside, slamming the door behind them and pinning her against it.

Tati's breath hitched as Bryce's eyes bore into hers, filled with confusion and a hint of desperation. The silence between them stretched on for what felt like an eternity.

"Are you real?" Bryceson whispered, his voice strained. "Are you really here, or am I dreaming again?"

She wanted to answer him, to assure him that she was right there, alive and breathing, but words failed her. All she could do was stare back at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hadn't realized just how much she'd missed him until this very moment, and it nearly broke her.

Her heart clenched as she watched tears form in his eyes.Bryce, how I've missed you. I'm so sorry for leaving.Those words were on the tip of her tongue. But she couldn't say them. Bryce's fingers trembled as they made contact with Tatiana's cheek, wiping away a tear.

"I'm not dreaming, am I?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

As a tear slid down Bryce's cheek, something inside Tati snapped. She reached up, her hand trembling, and wiped the tear away with the pad of her thumb.

"I'm not a dream, Bryce," she said softly, lowering her hand from his cheek. "I'm here. I'm real."

She saw it the moment those words sunk in for him. Bryce's face morphed before Tatiana's eyes; the tenderness she'd glimpsed moments earlier was now replaced with barely restrained fury. She could see it in the way his jaw clenched and unclenched, like he was trying to control a primal urge to lash out.

"You're real," he whispered.

Tati nodded, bracing herself for the storm she knew was coming. His gaze hardened, a cold glint filtering into his eyes.

"You're real," he repeated, voice deeper, angrier, as he lowered his hand from her face. "How are you here? Why are you here?"

"I-I work here," Tati told him, swallowing hard as she tried to maintain her composure. "Your mother hired me."

"My mother hired you? Why? When?"

"A week ago," she admitted. "I needed a job, and she offered."

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