Page 6 of Aldo

I had been conned. I hoped Marie got dumped somewhere and left stranded.

Luckily, he never touched the two boxes in the bedroom closet or my clothes. Probably because he ran out of time and Marie was a different size, or I was sure they would have taken them too. Thank God, because I had eight hundred dollars in the pocket of my winter coat in one of the boxes. It was my emergency money, and I had saved and added to it for three years.

And this was the emergency I had been saving for.

I had less than four hundred left, but if I was careful, it would do me until my first check. I could eat a meal with every shift, which would save me money. Maybe I could bring the snack home. Ramen was cheap. The hotel was only about a twenty-minute walk. I could save on gas on nice days, although the thought of walking at two in the morning seemed a bit scary.

But again, it wasn’t forever. I could make do.

I leaned back on the sofa with a sigh, suddenly overcome. I hadn’t been able to relax once since this had happened. I was so glad I hadn’t let Barry drive me to work that day—I would have lost my car as well. He had wanted to, but something made me say no and lie, telling him I had errands.

When it first happened, I didn’t know what to do. I rented month-to-month and rent was coming due, and my landlord had zero problem kicking people out for nonpayment of rent.

A few days later, still unsure what to do, I was sitting in a coffee shop in Toronto when I heard two women discussing the hotel in Niagara Falls and the opportunities to work there. Curious, I leaned over and asked them about it, and they were happy to share their experience. “I got on in the kitchen,” one enthused. “I’ve been applying here for months and got nothing. The place is huge—four restaurants. I’m sure you could get something.” After they left, I checked out the hotel. I made the decision and put what few things I had left in the car and drove down to Niagara. The landlord was going to kick me out in short order anyway, so I figured I had nothing to lose.

And today had been a good day.

I had a job, a place to live, and I was safe.

A low voice, deep brown eyes, and wide shoulders came to mind. Mr. Ricci.

Aldo.

I’d seen his name on the forms I filled out. I recalled how I’d felt when I walked into his office and saw him.

Taken aback. He stood as I walked in, his presence filling the room. I felt a shiver race down my spine.

He was incredibly tall. Broad and muscular. He towered over me and, given my height, that was something. His eyes were a rich brown, and his hair was dark. His features were strong, and he had a cleft in his chin. He had an air of authority about him. His handshake was firm, his skin warm. He was intimidating, yet I wasn’t afraid of him.

I wondered if I should be.

He’d also been kind. Directed me here. Assured me all the employees were looked after.

But I saw how he looked at me. The glimmer of desire in his eyes before he shut it down. He stared at my legs when the slit in my skirt opened a bit too far, his gaze lingering. He’d cleared his throat before speaking.

I found him very sexy. But he was one of the managers. Off-limits.

Still, I found him intriguing. He had an aloofness surrounding him. Was that real or a front he put on to keep people at arm’s length?

I sighed as I looked around. I guessed I would find out tomorrow at the meet-and-greet.

There was a knock on the door, and I opened it. Fran stood there, smiling. “I thought you could use these until you’re settled,” she said, thrusting a small pile toward me. There was a pillow and blanket, as well as a couple of towels. “I know a good warehouse where you can buy necessities,” she added. “Salvage, buyouts, that sort of thing. Good prices.”

Her kindness was unexpected, and I had to blink at the surprising moisture in my eyes. “Thank you.”

She nodded. “Our daughter is on her own too. I would like to think if she needed help, she would be offered it.”

“I’ll get these back to you as soon as I can.”

“No rush, dear. I’m glad Mr. Ricci sent you our way. Brian and I like going to the casino, and he arranged a lovely night for our anniversary a few months ago. He is always kind to us. We were happy to help a friend of his.”

I smiled. I was hardly a friend since I had only met him today, but I kept that to myself. “I’m glad he did as well. I’ll be a good tenant.”

She looked pleased. “I have no doubt. Now, if you need anything, we’re number 101, all right?”

“Thank you.”

She left, and I made up the sofa and got ready for bed. I was eager for tomorrow and getting into a schedule.