Page 29 of Boss Daddy

“What is it?”

She sighs, biting her lip. “Okay, don’t be mad at me. I should’ve told you this earlier. But Misha’s been showing up in the dressing room at work every night. He’s been asking Erica and Kailee where you are. Threatening them. He really wants to find you.”

I pause for just a second, the weight of her words crashing over me. My jaw clenches until my teeth ache. The thought of Misha lurking around, intimidating the other girls, makes my blood boil.

He doesn’t own me. He never did.

My voice is tight and cold as I say, “Tell him I left town.”

I shoulder past Tiffany, the walls of the apartment closing in like a vice. I can’t breathe in here anymore. I have to get out.

I stop, my eyes drifting toward the kitchen. A few of my things are scattered on the counter—a chipped coffee mug, a box of cereal, a half-empty jar of peanut butter. Stupid, insignificant objects that make up the routine of a life I’m leaving behind. None of it matters.

Behind me, Tiffany’s voice quivers. “I’m scared, Erin. For you. For us. What if Misha or his guys show up here?”

The weight of her words hits me hard. This isn’t just my problem anymore; it’s bled into their lives too. I’m dragging them into my mess, putting them in danger just by existing. But she’s right. It’s not just about me now.

“Maybe you should find somewhere else to go as well.”

Tiffany’s shoulders sag, her arms wrapping tighter around her midsection like she’s trying to hold herself together. “I don’t have anywhere else to go. I don’t have some rich guy’s apartment to run to,” she whispers. She glances at the clock on the wall. “Anyway, I have to get to work.”

Her words hang in the air, heavy and hopeless. But I know she does have somewhere to go. Her mom lives just thirty minutes away in Queens. They’re still close, despite everything. She’s clinging to this life out of habit, out of fear of change. I get it. I’ve been doing the same thing.

“Go stay with your mom, Tiff. Get a new job. This isn’t worth it.”

Her eyes flick up to meet mine, uncertainty clouding her expression. She doesn’t answer, but I can see the idea sinking in, the thought of escape finally taking root.

“It’s just… I made such a big deal about moving out on my own. Mom lost her mind when I told her I was going to move to freaking West Central. But I was like, no way, I can totally do it. Having to crawl back is going to be tough.”

I step over to Tiffany and place my hand on her upper arm, giving it a squeeze. “I know it’s a shitty situation and I’m sorry. But we knew what we were getting into when Misha startedroping us into his bullshit.”

She looks down at the floor and nods. “Yeah. Good money but bad people. Guess it was only a matter of time before one of us got in too deep.” She looks at my bag again. “Where are you going?”

“Huh? To Samuel’s. Like I said.”

“No, I mean where specifically. Like, where in the city.”

My gut twists. Is she asking out of concern or is she trying to get information for Misha? The thought stabs through me. I don’t want to believe it, but I can’t afford to take chances. Misha has a way of making people talk, whether it’s through money or pain.

“Somewhere outside Denver, out in the sticks,” I say. “He didn’t tell me the exact address.”

“Sounds a little scary.”

“I trust him,” I say, and I mean it. “I need to go. I’ve spent too much time here already.I’ll call you when I’m safe,” I say quickly, my fingers tightening on the zipper of my duffel bag. I yank it closed with a sharp, final motion. No more time for questions, no more time for doubt.

Tiffany rushes over, throwing her arms around me. I hug her back.

“Just be safe,” she says. “And text me when you get there, alright? I don’t want to worry about you.”

I smile. Tiffany can be a little much, but she cares.

“Yeah. You too. Stay in touch.”

I head for the door, each step feeling heavier than the last.

The cold night air hits me as I rush down the stairs, sharp and bracing. Samuel is waiting, leaning against his SUV with quiet confidence, making my chest ache. He sees me and straightens, opening the back without a word. He takes the bags from my hands and sets them inside.

“I was starting to get worried,” he says. “Thought Misha might’ve been up there waiting for you.”

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