004

Alina

Waking up the next day was a struggle. It was ironic. Within the last 24 hours, I'd been unconscious and this was the only time I was actually in my bed.

Pushing those thoughts away, I forced myself up to wake Serena and prepare her for school, ignoring that ache in my eyes. Looking in the mirror only proved my point.

My eyes were red and swollen in my reflection. I had spent the entire night crying myself to sleep at the memory of the kidnapping and most of all, Dante.

There were so many questions I had about last night, but perhaps it was better to not know. Fate had brought me to face him for one last time and it was clear that there was no way to fix the past. The only math forward was to move on.

My heart was broken, but everything would be alright.

After taking my daughter to school, I made my way back to the superstore. Was I insane for actually returning to work like normal after nearly getting kidnapped? Yes, but I had no choice and there were no excuses he would accept. Thankfully I only had the morning shift this time.

“Good morning sir? I’m sorry I’m late. My phone is…” my voice trailed off as soon as I entered to find the manager snap towards me looking stricken. His face seemed to pale.

“Get out!”

I was stunned as he rushed to me, pushing me. Confusion hit me as I struggled against him. What was going on?

“Sir-”

“You're fired. Get the hell out of my shop.” he snapped again

What?

“What happened? I…sir I need this job-”

“I don't fucking care!” he spat out, face growing red, “Im not going to risk my life after some thugs came earlier to threaten me to fire you. I have no damn clue how you're associated with them and I'm sure as hell not going to find out. Leave!”

Thugs? Threatened? I reeled from the information, unable to comprehend a thing.

I didn't get a chance to speak. In my shock he had pushed me out of the door before I heard a familiar click of locks. I stood shocked and stricken.

I'd…lost my job.

My mind raced at the thoughts. Who would have sent thugs after him?

A slight thought came to my mind, but I quickly pushed it down.

If things couldn't get worse? It did.

Throughout the day I was fired everywhere else I worked, whether through calls or being told to leave as soon as I came in. Every rejection struck me, all sharing the same story of suddenly being threatened by thugs earlier.

It was jarring. No matter how hard I begged or tried to explain, I was ignored and told to leave.

As I wandered through the nearest park in the afternoon, I felt hollow. The last place I'd worked hadn't even bothered to call, sending me a text to tell me I was fired without pay.

Tears bit my eyes in despair. All of my jobs were gone. Just like that.

I didn't have much money left. Everything I had was dedicated to our daily expenses and it wasn't enough most of the time. I didn't know how long we could last.

Serena, my baby. How was I going to take care of my daughter without a job?

I choked on my sob as another thought came to me, more pressing than the others.

This wasn't a coincidence. How else would I lose all my jobs in one day? Everything felt targeted at me. Why? Who?

A loud sound interrupted me. I was helpless to watch, as a car drove towards me. As the windows rolled down I stiffened. It was the tattooed man from the night before.

“Enter. The boss wants to see you.”

…

I didn't fully understand why I obeyed. Perhaps it was out of fear because they were Mafia. Perhaps because I knew said ‘Boss’ was actually Dante.

Or maybe… because I wanted answers to my suspicions.

I tensed when the car pulled up to an expensive restaurant. Stepping out, I fought my hesitation.

It was the kind of place I hadn’t even been able to afford to set foot in for years. I was thoroughly underdressed for it in washed out jeans and a t- shirt.

Yet as the man indicated for me to enter, I sucked it in and obeyed.

It was jarring to see. Aside from the luxurious decor and music, the place was completely empty, not a soul present…ave one.

Dante looked unruffled, in a dark suit as he ate. Sucking in a breath, I pushed myself to stand in front of him.

“Well don't just stand there. Sit.”

His dark voice and calm demeanor sent shivers through my spine. If there was anything I needed to affirm that he had changed, this was it.

I sat down on the opposite seat, still gauging him when he looked up.

“You must be hungry. Order anything you want.”

“I'm not.” I replied quickly, despite my belly aching at the sight of the food. Everything in me warned me to be cautious.

“My sources say otherwise,” he hummed, “but if it's a matter of not having appetite, I wouldn't be surprised considering what you've been through today.”

My hackles rose as did my suspicions when he looked up, and smirked.

“How are you enjoying your newfound freedom Alina?”

That was all the confirmation I needed. Rage burst in me as it clicked and suddenly all my caution flew to the wind.

“You bastard,” I spat out. Once I would have never imagined cursing him out like this but I couldn't help myself. Not when my suspicions were warranted.

It was too much of a coincidence that only the morning after I'd seen him this happened and now I'd confirmed it.

“You sent those thugs to my workplace. You made them fire me!” I said. He didn't even bother to hide it, leaning back relaxed.

“I thought you'd be grateful. It was working so late that put your life in danger,” he said, yet despite his excuse , I could recognize that expression on his face. Smugness.

I fought back my tears. I had no idea the power he held, but if he knew about my workplace, he knew how much I needed all those jobs. He knew what he was doing.

Who had he turned into? Was he trying to ruin my life?

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked brokenly. Now my thoughts were confirmed, I wanted to leave. No matter what feelings I held, this wasn't the man I knew.

He suddenly dropped the cutlery, intertwining his hands.

“I was waiting for you to ask Cara.”

I flinched at that endearment. It sounded like a mocking version of what he used to call me.

“The reason I called you here, was because I have an…alternative job offer for you, thrice more paying than all of your previous jobs combined.” he said and my gut clenched in caution. Whatever it was I already had a feeling it wasn't good.

“What is the job?” I asked carefully and his smirk grew wider.

“It's quite simple. You'll be my personal escort.”

Those words were like a punch to the gut. I sucked in a breath sharply.

“No.” I snapped, rave burning in my gut. How dare he? He was offering for me to become his…his…

Shaking my head, I gathered my things frantically while hearing him chuckle.

“Fiery as always, aren’t you, cara?” he said,

I didn't bother gracing his words with an answer as I stood up. I was out of here-

“How are you going to survive without any job?”

I froze as his voice called from behind.

“This was only for the jobs you had. If I wanted, I could blacklist you from any jobs here, hell, over the entire city if I wished.”

I stiffened. A part of me didn't want to believe it, but after today, I wasn't sure.

I knew he could see it too. When I faltered.

“Think it over,” he chuckled, standing up. I remained in place, frozen while he signaled his men.

He looked unfettered, like he hadn't just blackmailed me into becoming his…plaything.

“Take her home.” he instructed before turning to me. I tensed as he brought out something before slipping it into my hand. It was a card.

“Here. I have a. Feeling I'll be hearing from you soon, cara.”

Emptiness filled me as I was led away. Before I left the building, the last sight of him haunted me.

Dantes eyes fixed on me , his lips curled in a smirk.