Page 1 of Deadly Intentions

prologue

CATARINA

My heart racedlike a thousand horses stampeding across a field as I shoved everything I could into my bag. I was finally alone. This was my only opportunity to leave without my brothers finding out. The bag weighed heavy against my shoulder as my feet padded down the stairs of my apartment building. The daylight burned against my face as I stepped outside onto the curb, searching for my ride. Leaving without a trace meant leaving behind my car and most of my belongings.

As I slipped into the back of the cab, I gave one last glance at the place that had been my home since moving out on my own. At eighteen, I thought getting my own place and going to college would create some distance from the lifestyle the Anastasi family—my family—led. After pushing myself to graduate early, I'd finally secured a job as an emergency room nurse. If only I had known my new skills would suck me back into the mafia world, I would have studied to be a teacher instead.

Countless times, my brothers had needed my help to patch someone up off the books. Countless times I had been dragged into the family dealings whether I wanted it or not. Countless times, I was reminded I was an Anastasi.

I was done.

Done with the bloodshed and done with the fear of being killed or taken—simply because I was the daughter of the most powerful mob boss in Italy and sister to the current Don of Las Vegas. After being nearly kidnapped, I started to formulate my exit plan. I had been working on it for months without their knowledge. I hated to leave them like this, but it was the only way.

I deserved a chance at a normal life, and staying here in Vegas would prevent that for me. The thought of never seeing my siblings again, or my niece and nephew, who were due any day now, caused my heart to clench. That was the part I dreaded—the not being there for their arrival. But this was it. My only chance at disappearing into the world. I was smart enough to leave Donny a note, telling him I had simply left. With Dmitri Ivanov’s threat still looming over us, I didn’t want them to think he had finally nabbed me.

The cab pulled up to the bus station and let me out. I had my dark hair tucked under a baseball cap and sunglasses shielding my eyes. It wasn’t really a disguise, but it made me feel invisible to the onlookers. A week ago, I had withdrawn most of my savings and put it into a new account under the fake name I would now go by. It had cost me a shit ton of money to secure, but I needed every layer of protection I could get if I were truly going to start over.

The fumes of the exhaust filtered through the interior of the monstrosity I was using as my escape. It was the last place my brothers would think to look. A mafia princess like me would never be caught on public transportation like this—which made it perfect for my getaway. I moved through the aisle and situated myself in the back-corner seat. My bag was stowed beneath the metal frame with the other passengers’ things, making me blend in like any other traveler. I watched as the bus filled with more people before finally closing its doors. An elderly woman smiled as she stopped in the walkway beside me.

“Do you mind if I sit here?”

“Not at all.” I waved to the empty seat as she plopped down and buckled up.

“Why is a pretty little thing like you traveling on a bus alone?”

I blew out a breath and smiled. “A new start.”

“We can all use one of those from time to time. I’m Elenore.” She held out her frail hand for me to shake. “I guess we're going to be bus mates.”

I slipped my palm into hers and smiled. “I’m Trina. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elenore.”

We fell into a simple conversation about her life and my reason for moving. She was excited to learn I was going to be living in the town she was from—she even hinted at wanting to introduce me to her grandson.

“That’s kind of you, but I—”

“Is there a man you’re leaving behind?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Love always is, my dear. Well, if you change your mind, you let me know. I hope we can be friends once you’re settled.”

“I’d like that, Elenore.”

“You’re going to love our little town. And the hospital too. Everyone is so welcoming.”

I hoped she was right. When I’d stumbled across the job opening, I was elated. It was far enough away and completely opposite of Vegas. I was sure it was the perfect place to start over. Getting the job was a bit trickier than I expected, seeing as I had to do it under my fictitious identity.

Fortunately, my supervisor was willing to take a nice payment to lie for me and keep it a secret from my family. I must have dozed off at some point during our ride because I woke up to Elenore shaking my shoulder.

“Wake up, sleepy girl. We’re almost there.”

I yawned and stretched as I took in the landscape out the window. Night had fallen, but the tiny town was lit up nicely. Everything about the view made my insides clench with possibilities. It was the first time in my life I was truly alone. I couldn’t contain the smile that spilled across my face when the bus drove past the city limit sign. This was it. This was my new life.

Welcome to Lake District Oregon. Population 7k.

one

CATARINA

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