Page 39 of Crazed

My chest tightens as I panic.

HR? I don't know anything about HR.

My father raised me not to lie, but everything he taught me seems to no longer exist. Not only did I become a thief when I stole Ludis's ring, but it's become second nature to fib. I stick my chin out, answering, "Yes. They did, but I forgot what they told me. I was excited about getting hired. There-there was a lot of information."

Her grin reappears. She tucks a rogue brown strand of hair behind her ear. "Ah. Understandable. Do you still have your booklet?"

The air in my lungs turns stale. I shake my head. "No. I lost it."

"Let me call Cynthia in HR and get a new one for you. I imagine you have a few weeks a year of vacation, plus your sick days," she states.

"A few weeks?" I blurt out, surprised.

Amusement fills her expression. "Sure. It's pretty standard. Do you want to take a week off?"

My gut dives. I square my shoulders, attempting not to look as anxious as I feel right now. I reply, "Yes. If I can?"

She pushes her neon-green glasses up the bridge of her nose then answers, "With proper notice, it shouldn't be a problem. Do you know the dates you're looking to take off?"

I shrug. "Soon, but I don't know the exact days yet."

"Okay. I'll get you the request form. When you have an idea of the timeframe you want off, fill it out and give it to me. I'll approve it on my end if no one else has requested those days, then I'll send it to HR. Should I leave it on your desk?" she questions.

"That would be perfect. Thank you."

"No problem." She turns and leaves.

I should feel excited I have vacation days and about the possibility of a vacation with Massimo, but it's only making me more apprehensive. If I attempt to leave town, Leo will have a fit. His thugs warned me too many times to stay put.

I've never wanted to speak with him before, nor have I had the desire to seek him out. In order to go anywhere, I have to get his permission. Otherwise, he'll hunt me down.

How do I even find him?

Why have I never asked how to contact the Abruzzos should I need something?

Ugh.

The dread in my gut expands. I've gotten to know how Massimo works. If he wants something, he'll do everything in his power to make it happen. I'm only going to be able to hold him off for so long. Unless Leo approves of me going, I can't leave the city.

For the next two hours, I restock the shelves, trying to concentrate on my job and push the lingering worries out of my head.

It's impossible.

By the time my shift is over, I still don't have any answers about how I can get Leo's permission to leave. I put the last book on the shelf, wheel the empty cart to the return desk, and go to my cubicle to get my purse.

I freeze when I look down. As promised, Alicia left me a copy of the employee handbook. I pick it up and flip to the vacation day section. And just like she assumed, it states I get two weeks of vacation and five sick days.

I wish I could feel happy about finding this out, but I know nothing in this pamphlet applies to me. Leo rules my entire life.

I glance over my cubicle and through the glass, catching the back of Massimo's head. His dark, thick hair and broad shoulders are hard to miss. He's speaking with Alicia, and more angst builds within me. I slide the handbook in my desk drawer, hoping to gain more time until I can figure out how to speak with Leo or one of his thugs.

I grab my purse, trot over to Massimo, and put my hand on his back. "Hey. You didn't have to come inside."

He spins, sliding his arm around my waist. "I needed to stretch my legs. Ready?"

"Yes. See you tomorrow, Alicia," I say.

"Have a good night," she replies.

---