I Dumped the Don Without Knowing It의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

We watched Leo lead Vanessa into the office, then collectively remembered how to breathe.“What did she do?” someone whispered.“Whatever it was, I hope she has tissues.”“Someone should have warned her.”That wasn't an exaggeration.The Romano family owned half the waterfront—or enough of it that nobody was eager to argue about the exact percentage.Dante Romano was the new Don. He had inherited the title and the family's less public obligations, but the legitimate businesses were another matter. His father still controlled the holding company, and the board expected results before it handed Dante the rest of the empire.Our logistics and development firm had been underperforming. Dante had left the main office to take direct control.The first impression was excellent.Tall. Beautifully dressed. Educated. The kind of face that made otherwise sensible women forget their own passwords.For about twenty-four hours, everyone had a crush on him.Then he laid down his rules.No arriving la

Dante took us to the most expensive restaurant in the city.It was difficult to miss the message. Be nice to his girlfriend, and life could be very pleasant.Vanessa sat beside him, wearing jewelry that caught every light in the room.The way he looked at her was almost gentle.Who knew? Beneath all that ice, the Don was apparently a romantic.By the time dinner ended, rain was coming down hard.Coworkers paired off under umbrellas and hurried toward taxis. I'd forgotten mine, so I stayed beneath the awning and hoped the weather might develop a conscience.“I can give you a ride.”Leo held his umbrella over both of us.“Mr. Romano and Vanessa came together. My car's across the street.”“Thank you. Seriously.”Once we were in the car, he glanced at me in the mirror.“How long have you been with the company?”“Five years.”“Boyfriend?”“Not anymore.”This was more conversation than I'd heard from him in a month.“Vanessa's new to the deputy role. She'll need guidance on the project.”The

“Someone's following me.”“Where are you?”His tone changed instantly—urgent, but steady enough to keep me from falling apart.“On my way home. Near the station. The road's closed, so I'm on Mercer—”“Send me your location. Move toward somewhere lit. I'm close.”I tapped the location button with shaking fingers.The street was narrow and mostly residential. I put down the box from work so I could move faster.At the next corner, a man stepped directly into my path.I turned to run.An arm locked around me from behind, a hand clamped over my mouth, and the phone fell. I fought. Something struck the side of my head, and the street tipped out from under me.When I came to, I was staring at the dark roof of a car.My wrists and ankles were bound. A cloth gag cut into the corners of my mouth.The car braked hard.The driver hammered the horn, threw me a furious look, and got out.Somewhere nearby, a siren was getting louder.The rear door opened.Leo Rossi leaned in.For a moment, relief wa

He looked at me.“Because I was bad luck?”The breakup message had seemed entirely reasonable from the safety of a screen.Saying it to his face was another matter.“I didn't know it was you. And every time we argued, you made us work late.”“The deadlines were real.”“So were the arguments.”He looked away, then back.“When I was upset, I buried myself in work. I expected everyone else to keep up. That wasn't fair.”“And the bonus cuts?”“I was angry. By then, I suspected you might work for one of our waterfront companies. Your messages about the overtime lined up too closely.”I stared.“So your plan was to upset everyone until I identified myself?”“It was a bad plan.”“That is an extremely generous description.”His mouth twitched, but he didn't try to defend it.“And I did say we were done.”“I don't want us to be.”His voice softened.“But I'm asking, Mia. Not ordering.”I looked at the pajamas again, then at the absurdly large bed.“I need a shower. And time to get used to this.

Dante stood by the window with his hands in his pockets.Even his back was distracting. Deeply inconvenient in an employer.“Mr. Romano. What do you need?”He turned, hiding a smile badly.“Nothing. I missed you.”“We were in a car together ten minutes ago.”I went to stand beside him.“If that's all, I have work.”“Wait. Are you very busy?”“Yes.”The promotion question had been sitting in my chest all morning. If I let it stay there, it would turn into something uglier.“Why Lucy instead of me?”He looked at me.“For team lead.”A pause.“I thought a promotion here would mean longer hours. We'd have less time together.”I stared.“Dante.”“I know how that sounds.”“It sounds like you made a decision about my career based on your dating schedule.”He accepted that without arguing.“If you want the role, I will respect that. Or tell me what you do want, and we'll discuss it properly.”I took a breath.“First, everyone here is exhausted. Including you. Something has to change.”“What do