Say Daddy A Mafia Billionaire Romance - Shanna Handel Page 0,1

been dreading ever since helping Charlotte; the day he finally gets rid of my ass.

Behind Rockland stands a perky brunette with a friendly, open smile. Despite her good humor, a hint of guilt shadows her brown eyes.

Panic grips me as I realize who she is.

My replacement.

I rush over to him from behind the counter. “Please don’t fire me! I know what I did to help Charlotte was wrong, but can’t you find it in your heart to forgive me? And hasn’t it all worked out so nicely, with her marrying Eli?”

He shakes his head and the woman gives me a sympathetic gaze. “I’m sorry. You’ve been an invaluable employee to the family, up until your misjudgment. I can’t have anyone within my employ whom I don’t trust.”

Alarm bells ring in my mind—I’m screwed.

My mom told me the day I turned eighteen that I was an adult and basically kicked me out. I’ve had no other job than this. I have no prospects for a new one. And no one pays like the Bachman family.

I plead my case. “But I never went to college, I came straight here out of high school. I have no other experience than working your counters and I highly doubt any other jeweler out there will hire me when they hear I’ve been fired.”

He says, “I’ve taken these facts into consideration. As well as your years of loyalty to the family. That’s why I’ve arranged for you to have another job. One where your pay will be generous, the tips ludicrous. You’ll probably earn twice what you’ve earned here. But you won’t be working for the family.”

My panic ebbs as Rockland’s words brew curiosity within me. Visions of an apartment with its own private bathroom—one large enough that I can’t reach out and touch all four walls when I’m standing in the center of it—swirl in my mind.

What place could possibly pay so well? I ask, “Where?”

“Gotcha’s. The Bachman-friendly night club down the street was looking for a bartender. They know I trust you—as much as I can, now—and I’ve told them you’re a hard worker. They’re excited to have you on board. Your training begins in two days’ time.”

I can’t believe my luck!

Throw me in a pumpkin carriage and call me Cinderella because Rockland’s my fairy godfather, granting the wish I made just moments before.

It seems like more than coincidence; can there be such a thing as fate, an invisible energy swirling around me, helping bring me closer to my ultimate goal? Good fortune ties my tongue as I try to stammer out, “I-I don’t know what to say.”

A smile from Rockland is rare; the grin on his face tells me all is forgiven. “Say thank you. And say you’ll take the rest of your time here to train Charlie as your replacement.”

My livelihood is safe. The next step on my journey has begun. Able to breathe again, I gush, “Thank you. And yes, of course I will.”

He leaves.

Charlie hovers by the door wringing her hands. “I’m really sorry that I’m taking your job, I feel awful.”

I give her a reassuring smile. “Don’t be. It was time for a change. Your first lesson? How to close up for the night. Go ahead and lock the door and change the sign over so we can get to work.”

Charlie rushes over to the door, locking it, then flips the sign over to read Closed. Her skirts swish as she moves. Planting her back firmly against the door, she brings her hands to her heart. “That was easy. Now, tell me everything I need to know!”

Breezing over to my favorite case in the store, I pull out a small black velvet tray dotted with brilliant engagement rings. One day soon, I hope to have my left hand weighed down by a piece of this ice. “Let’s start with the diamonds.”

We go through three cases. Charlie is a fast learner and eager to please. We agree to meet in the morning, before the store opens so we can go over a few more gemstones prior to her shadowing me for the day.

As we’re leaving, Charlie grabs both my hands in hers. “Thank you for everything. And I have a message.”

I groan, “Please don’t let it be from Rockland. I don’t think I can handle any more news from him today.”

“Not him.” She waggles her brows. “A friend. A recently married one?”

Charlotte.

I smile, thinking of my quirky, sweet friend with the innocent blonde curls. “Oh—what does she say?”

She whispers even