Chapter 10 - I Handed the Mafia Boss My Keys and Walked Away—His Final Words Sent Shivers Down My Spine
The next morning, the sun broke through the Boston clouds for the first time in a week.
Chloe stood in the foyer of the penthouse, her small canvas bag packed.
The threat was neutralized. The Rossis had surrendered their territory and retreated.
The debt was paid. The contract was over.
Dominic stood by the door, wearing a crisp dark suit, looking like the untouchable king he was.
"Leo has a car waiting downstairs," Dominic said, his voice entirely devoid of emotion. "He will take you to a new apartment. It's paid for the next two years. There is a trust fund set up in your name."
Chloe looked at the keys in his extended hand.
She didn't take them.
"You're paying me off," she said quietly.
"I am securing your future," he corrected. "You saved my life twice, Chloe. This is your reward. You can go back to being normal."
"Normal," she repeated, the word tasting like ash in her mouth.
She had spent her whole life trying to be normal, trying to be invisible. But standing next to Dominic, reading the hidden motives of mob bosses, dodging bullets... she had never felt more alive.
She took the keys from his hand. His fingers brushed hers, lingering for a fraction of a second.
"Thank you, Mr. Moretti," she said formally, forcing the tears back.
Dominic’s jaw clenched.
"Goodbye, Chloe."
She walked into the elevator. The doors closed, cutting off his face.
She moved into the beautiful, safe, boring apartment. She bought groceries. She slept in a bed without bullet holes.
It was everything she had prayed for when she was drowning in hospital bills.
It felt completely empty.
Two weeks passed.
She tried to find a new job, but every time she walked into a restaurant, she caught herself looking for exits, scanning the patrons for concealed weapons, waiting for a man in an olive jacket.
She was broken. He had broken her for the normal world.
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On a rainy Tuesday night, she sat on her couch, staring at the blank television.
There was a heavy, rhythmic knock on her door.
