Bound To The Mafia Boss

The letter sat on the kitchen table like it had every right to be there. Alexia Brown stared at it, hoping the words might change if she kept on staring at it. Well, they didn't. Your employment with the company is hereby terminated, effective immediately. She read the sentence again, then folded the letter. Her hands were steady, but her stomach felt like it had been twisted into a knot. Three years. Three years of arriving early, staying late, fixing mistakes that weren't hers, and doing everything she could to prove she deserved the job. And this was how it ended. Accused of stealing money she had never touched. She pushed the letter away. “You're doing that thing again.” Nia Carter stood in the kitchen doorway, holding a mug of coffee. Her hair was tied into a loose bun, and she wore the oversized T-shirt she usually slept in. “What thing?” Alexia asked. “The staring. Like you're trying to force an apology out of a piece of paper.” Alexia gave her a tired look. Nia walked over and dropped into the chair opposite her. Her eyes moved to the letter. “Any chance they'll reconsider?” “No.” “Did you tell them you didn't take the money?” “Several times.” “And?” “They said the records were clear.” Nia frowned. “What records?” “Apparently, some payments went through my account. I explained that I didn't authorize them. I asked them to check the access logs, the transaction details, anything that could show what actually happened.” “And they refused?” “They said the investigation was complete.” Nia's expression hardened. Alexia had spent the entire previous afternoon in a small conference room, answering the same questions from two people who had already decided she was guilty. By the end, her manager wouldn't even look her in the eye. She could still hear his voice. We have to protect the company. As if she had been the one putting it at risk. Nia reached across the table and took her hand. “Listen to me. You're not going to let this break you.” Alexia looked at her. “I don't know what I'm going to do.” “We'll figure it out.” “With what money, Nia?” Nia opened her mouth, then closed it. Their rent was due in less than two weeks. Alexia had barely enough in her account to cover groceries and transportation. Nia's salary could keep them going for a while, but it wasn't enough for both of them to carry the apartment indefinitely. Alexia had no family to call. Her mother had been gone for years, and there was no father waiting somewhere with a spare room and a reassuring smile. It had always been her and Nia. And now she had nothing. “I'm going to start applying today,” Alexia said. “Good.” “Anything. Administration, office management, whatever.” “Good.” Alexia narrowed her eyes. “Are you going to say anything else?” “Yes. You're going to eat first.” “I'm not hungry.” “That wasn't a question.” Nia stood and opened the fridge. Alexia watched her move around the kitchen, pulling out eggs and bread as though breakfast could fix the problem she was in. She was grateful to Nia but the kindness made the shame worse. She hated being the reason Nia had to worry. Her phone buzzed. An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen. Alexia almost ignored it. She had spent the morning receiving calls from people who wanted to ask what happened at work, and she didn't have the energy to explain herself again. But something made her answer. “Hello?” “Alexia Brown?” “Yes.” “Julian Reyes. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time.” She sat up a little straighter. “Julian?” “That's me.” She knew him, though not well. He had worked with one of the company's clients and had met her a few times during business meetings. He was the sort of man who remembered names and made people feel as though he had time for them. He once claimed how Marian Brown, her mother, once helped him during his difficult years in foster care. How he recognized her, she just couldn’t tell. “What can I do for you?” she asked. "I heard you got fired today." Alexia glanced at Nia, who had stopped cracking eggs. “Who told you that?” “Someone who thought I might be able to help.” She didn't like the sound of that. “I hope nobody's been telling stories.” “No. Nothing like that.” Julian paused. “I know you're in a difficult situation, and I have a job opening that might suit you.” Alexia's fingers tightened around the phone. “What kind of job?” “A Personal assistant.” “To whom?” “Cole Walter.” The name meant something. It would have been difficult for it not to. Cole Walter was a businessman whose name appeared in newspapers often enough. Hotels, real estate, international shipping. He was wealthy, influential, and known for being difficult to work with. Alexia had heard the stories. People who worked for him either admired him or couldn't stand him. “What happened to the previous assistant?” she asked. Julian laughed softly. “Nothing dramatic. I'm the previous assistant.” “Oh.” “I'm preparing to leave Los Angeles, and Cole needs someone who can take over. The position involves a demanding schedule, very confidential work, and a lot of responsibility. But the salary is very good.” Very good. Alexia looked at the termination letter. “When would I have to start?” “That's the thing. Cole wants to meet you as soon as possible. If you're interested, I can arrange an interview.” She hesitated. “What does he know about me?” “That you're capable. That you have experience. And that I think you can do the job.” Alexia swallowed. It was the first time anyone had said something good about her work in days. “Okay,” she said. “I'll come in.” “Good. I'll send you the address and the time.” The call ended. Nia stared at her from across the table. “Who was that?” “Julian Reyes.” “The Julian Reyes?” Alexia nodded. Nia put the pan down. “What did he want?” “There's a job. Personal assistant to The Cole Walter.” For a moment, Nia said nothing. Then she let out a breath. “Alexia.” “What?” “That man is terrifying.” “He's a businessman.” “He's a businessman who looks like he could fire someone with a glance.” Alexia almost smiled. “Well, he can't fire me if he doesn't hire me.” Nia came around the table and hugged her from behind. “Well, I have no choice but to root for you, you're going to get the job.” Alexia looked down at the letter again. She didn't know if she would get the job. She didn't know if Cole Walter would even like her. She didn't know whether the salary would be enough to pull them out of the hole they were in. But for the first time since yesterday, there was something ahead of her besides the fear of losing everything. A chance. Her phone buzzed again. Julian had sent the address, the interview time, and a short message. One more thing. Cole can be difficult. Don't let that put you off. Alexia read it twice. Then she looked at Nia. “How difficult can one man be?” Nia stared at her. "You’ll see!”