Chapter 1 - THE DOG WHO CHOSE A STRANGER
“Olivia... Mr. Moretti wants to see you.”
My manager's voice trembled.
I stared at the black SUV parked outside the restaurant.
“Why?”
He swallowed.
“His dog hasn't eaten since you left.”
I blinked.
“His dog?”
“Orion.”
I looked toward the vehicle.
Two men in dark suits stood beside the open rear door.
One of them was watching me.
The other had his hand near his jacket.
My stomach tightened.
“Is this some kind of joke?”
My manager shook his head.
“Olivia, please. Just go talk to them.”
I looked at him.
“Do I have a choice?”
He hesitated.
That was answer enough.
I took off my apron.
Then walked toward the entrance.
The taller man stepped forward.
“Miss Bennett?”
I nodded.
“I'm Olivia Bennett.”
“Mr. Moretti would like to speak with you.”
“About his dog?”
The man glanced toward the SUV.
“Yes.”
I folded my arms.
“Then he can come inside.”
The man blinked.
I was frightened.
Terrified, actually.
But I had spent too many years letting powerful people tell me where to stand and when to speak.
I wasn't getting into a stranger's car.
Not even for a beautiful dog.
The security guard studied me.
Then reached for his phone.
A brief conversation followed.
He listened.
Then nodded.
“Mr. Moretti will be here in ten minutes.”
I stared.
“He's coming here?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
I swallowed.
Wonderful.
Apparently, I'd just ordered a mafia boss to meet me at my workplace.
Ten minutes later, Dante Moretti walked through the restaurant doors.
And Orion came with him.
The huge dog spotted me immediately.
His ears lifted.
His tail began wagging.
Then he pulled forward so suddenly that the guard holding his leash nearly stumbled.
“Orion,” Dante said.
The dog ignored him.
He crossed the room.
Stopped in front of me.
And pressed his enormous head against my stomach.
I laughed despite myself.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Orion whined.
I scratched behind his ears.
The restaurant went silent again.
Dante stood several feet away.
Watching.
His expression was unreadable.
Then he asked, “Where did you learn to do that?”
I looked up.
“Do what?”
“Make him trust you.”
I stared.
“I didn't.”
Dante's eyes narrowed.
I smiled faintly.
“I just said hello.”
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he reached into his coat.
And removed a photograph.
He held it out.
“Then explain this.”
I took the photograph.
It showed a young woman standing beside a large black dog.
The woman had dark hair.
Brown eyes.
A small scar above her left eyebrow.
I stopped breathing.
Because the woman looked exactly like my mother.
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And the dog beside her wore a silver collar bearing the name:
ORION.
