Page 44 of Ruthless Boss

Gia

Three weeks later…

“Crystal, your order is ready,” announces the coffee shop attendant as she places a small cup with my fake name scribbled on the side of the countertop.

I pick it up, nod at her, and leave the shop. Crystal sounds like a perky, positive name—perfect for a train wreck starting a new life. Maybe that’s why Dante chose it.

I like to think he chose it, but it probably was by chance. I drink the latte as I stroll along the sidewalk of a beautiful beach in the picturesque coastal town of Tulip, California.

After I finish my coffee, I toss the mug in the trash, remove my shoes, and walk down the path to the sand. I look at the ocean before me and breathe a lungful breath of crisp, fresh air. I’m still not used to the different pace of life.

I should be happy here. Like really, really happy.

The morning after I asked Dante to sleep in my bed, I was awakened by Zenovia, and she, along with the security guard, handed me the details of my new life. A new name, a new address, and plenty of money in a bank account to start over.

When she gave me the folder with the printed paper, I was overwhelmed.

Then I got onto an airplane, arrived here, and almost fell on my ass when I saw the crazy amount Dante deposited in the bank account. Why would anyone be so generous to the former nanny who lied about her identity? Who could have jeopardized AJ’s well-being?

That was the kind of money that set me up for lifelong success.

Dante cared for me.

I know that now.

A twinge of nostalgia stabs at me. I miss Dante. I miss AJ.

But I get it. This is my new beginning. Associating with him would put too much at risk. If I stayed in Chicago, there was a chance Ciro would find me and hurt me and AJ and who knows who else. Besides, my connection to the family he hates doesn’t help.

I wish I didn’t think of Dante so often.

I have my freedom—what I wanted for so long. I’ve enrolled in a college course to earn enough credits, and for the first time in my life, I can decide on what I want to do based on what’s best for me, not anyone else.

Not having Dante around sucks, though. I never wanted a relationship after Ciro. Even though Dante is a mafia boss and has built a career in crime, I felt safe with him.

I wet my feet, the cold Pacific Ocean bringing a sense of awareness to me. I love moments like this. It took me a while to enjoy the present—I even hated thinking. Now, thanks to opening up to Dante, I’m no longer a paranoid fugitive. I’m a woman in charge of my present and future—even if there are things I wish I could change.

An hour later, I park my car and walk to my condo. I love the location, only a few blocks from the beach and beautifully decorated. Came with furnishings, but I hope to add my style to it the more I live in it.

I open the door and enter, tossing the keys on the console table by the entrance.

I pace the living room.

I need to find a job. I’ve been to a few interviews, but nothing has panned out yet. I’m privileged, thanks to Dante, so I don’t have to work anytime soon, but I want to. I miss that energy—and I can still do it part-time with the classes.

As I enter my bedroom, I see a pair of men's shoes by the bed.

Did Dante pop over for a surprise? My heart jumps to my throat. Oh, that would be so wonderful. He knows where I live. He’s set me up with everything. It’s possible, right? Maybe he missed me. Or maybe he came to California for whatever reason—work?—and decided to check on me.

Either option fills me with hope. “Dante?” I call. Maybe he’s in the bathroom.

I go around the bed, but before I open the bathroom door, a hand grabs me from behind.

“Nice to see you again, wife,” says the raspy voice that sends cold shivers down my spine.

Ciro.

I barely register his presence, his intrusion back into my life, before he knocks me over the head, and everything fades to black.

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