First Day as a Boss

First Day as a Boss
Tatiana

The next morning, I wake up and Angelo is no longer in bed. I get up, take a shower, put on my most business appropriate suit, beige and tailored, and head downstairs, not sure what I’m going to find.

For the past few days, things have been a bit uneventful for the Saints, who are still at the mansion.

Angelo told me they were waiting for everything to be handled after Oleg’s death before they can return to wherever it is they live, but I know he’s been keeping everyone here just in case Yakov pulls something and tries to get at me.

I appreciate the gesture, but now that I have accepted my role as head of the Romina Empire, I need to start moving and getting the hang of it all. I can’t be babysat forever. What kind of leader would I be if I were? 

As soon as I get to the kitchen, I find Angelo leaning against the island, sipping a cup of coffee while talking to Dice, Sal, and Max who are seated at the table. 

“Morning, guys,” I greet, walking inside and heading for the counter to pour some coffee for myself.

Dice nods at me while the other two offer a warm smile. Sal leans back on his chair, drinking through a straw what looks to be iced coffee. 

“Moooorning… What should we call you now? Miss Romina, or maybe something more intimidating, like Boss of the Romina Empire?” he teases, a grin forming on his lips. 

“Ha ha, very funny.” I roll my eyes, leaning beside Angelo on the island and facing the others. “You can still call me Tatiana. We can decide on something else if you become my enemy,” I joke, glancing sideways at Angelo, who surprisingly seems to be enjoying the exchange between me and his friend. “Did you sleep well?” I ask him, lowering my voice so the others don’t listen.

He nods sharply. “Like a baby.”

“So, what are the plans now?” Max asks, his curious eyes darting from me to Angelo.

“Well,” I start, “I was thinking I should go see Guskov and the others to officially introduce myself. I also need to figure out where I’m living. I have to hand over the apartment Lev rented in Manhattan, and then I was wondering if I could schedule a meeting with Tony.”

I was hoping to tell Angelo about my plans first, but since Max asked and we’re all friends here, I don’t think there’s a problem sharing it with them all.

The three men at the table raise their heads to look at me, but Angelo barely reacts, slightly turning on his heel to face me.

“Sounds like you have a solid plan already,” he points out, but there’s no judgment in his voice, just maybe surprise. He raises one brow at me inquisitively.

“Yeah, well, unlike you, I didn’t sleep very well last night,” I inform him. I had so much going on in my head, that after a brief nap, I woke up and couldn’t sleep again. That’s why I had time to figure out my next moves.

“Okay, so, does anyone want to update us?” Sal complains, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table. He’s looking at me and Angelo with a frown, clearly confused. Max and Dice are also staring at us, but they are a bit better at hiding their interest.  

I clear my throat, glancing at Angelo, wondering if I should tell them or maybe wait for something more concrete. But he encourages me with a sharp nod as if knowing exactly what I’m thinking.

“It’s up to you to tell them,” he says.

Honestly, if I have made any friends here, they are the three guys looking expectantly at me right now. I think it is only fair that I tell them what is going on and what they can expect from the future.

I walk toward the table and sit opposite them. Angelo quietly joins me, pulling the chair beside me and sitting down in silence.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” I sigh, taking a deep breath. The coffee in my hand is getting cold, so I take a sip, wetting my mouth and throat that suddenly feel too dry.

“From the start would be nice,” Sal adds in a teasing tone. I’m so glad he’s so light-hearted and easy to deal with. I’ll miss having him around.

“Fine, okay… I am the new boss of the Romina Empire,” I state simply, realizing this might be the hardest bomb I have to throw on them, so it’s better to get that off my chest sooner. 

Max chokes on his drink, Sal’s jaw drops, and Dice widens his eyes, which is the most facial expression I’ve ever seen since I met him. 

“You what now?” Max asks between coughs.

“Guskov said they voted to have me inherit my father’s legacy. It might sound like the worst choice ever. Believe me, I also think that, but it does belong to my family. And I don’t want to risk another Oleg showing up and claiming my position,” I explain.

They nod slowly, following my line of thought.

“Someone like Yakov, you mean,” Dice mumbles, speaking for the first time.

“Exactly.”

“Speaking of that motherfucker, do the Rominas have any news on him?” Sal asks.

“That’s what I want to know. They didn’t know anything last night, but things might have changed overnight. That’s why I think we should go.” I turn to Angelo. “I’ll give Guskov a call and set up a meeting. Are you coming with me?”

“Of course,” he agrees, finishing his coffee.

“Wait! What did you mean by having a meeting with our boss? What does he have to do with anything?” Max wants to know.

“I might have a proposition for him, and that’s all I can tell you about it for now. Tony has done so much for me by letting me stay with you guys and saving me from Oleg and the Rominas. And you guys too. I feel like I owe you too much.” My voice cracks slightly at the end, emotion getting the best of me as I stare at their faces. “I’ll be forever grateful.”

The three of them clear their throats, putting on a serious face, but I can tell the feelings are mutual.

“Now, come on. If you want to do all of the things you said you want to do today, we should be going,” Angelo chimes in, standing from the chair.

An hour later, we’re arriving at Manhattan, heading for the penthouse that Guskov said he’d be in. Apparently, it’s one of the places he suggested that I live; it’s in a great location, in the middle of Manhattan, and close to most of our businesses and our headquarters.

Guskov is waiting for us as soon as we step out of the elevator, right into the middle of the living room. The floor-to-ceiling windows have an amazing view of the city and the Hudson River, and I must confess I’m instantly mesmerized by it.

“Can I assume you like it?” he asks, coming to my side as I stare out the window, watching the city below. For a moment, it feels like I’m almost above the clouds. 

“Let’s just say I can definitely see myself living in a place like this. It’s…so peaceful and beautiful from up here,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else. 

Angelo is quiet behind me, but one look at him is enough to tell me he also thinks the place is great. He smiles at me, taking a step forward and placing his hand on my lower back.

“It suits you,” he notes.

“I’ll stay here,” I state bluntly. 

“Are you sure? There are at least ten more apartments and houses for you to see,” Guskov informs, creasing his brows at me.

I fight the urge to widen my eyes. Of course the Rominas own so much. What was I expecting?

“I-I…” I stammer, clearing my throat and pulling myself together almost immediately. “I’ll stay here for now. If I find somewhere I love more in the future, I can move then. There are more important things for me to handle now, other than going around the whole city checking the real estate we own.”

“Okay, makes sense,” Guskov agrees. 

“So, do we have any news?” I change the topic, hoping to hear good news.

“We haven’t found Yakov yet.” He starts with the bad news. Okay, guess it isn’t today that I’ll get that good news.

I grimace. “Great,” I grunt. “What else?”

“Most of the Romina men decided to stay and have sworn loyalty to you,” he carries on. My heart fills with hope and anticipation. Now that’s good news. Finally. “But…a few have disappeared.”

I frown. “Disappeared?”

“Yeah. We think they might have gone to meet Yakov,” he explains.

“Let’s make sure we find them before they are strong enough to attack us,” I order bitterly. 

“Yes, Boss.”

“Anything else?” I cross my arms in front of my chest, and when I turn to look at the rest of the living room, I spot a portrait of Oleg hanging above the fireplace. The motherfucker who did this managed to paint his eyes so realistically that, for a moment, it’s like I’m staring into them again.

I shiver and grab the gun I’m carrying around in my purse now. Before Guskov has the chance to continue with his report, I aim for the painting and shoot at it. Surprisingly, I hit exactly the middle of Oleg’s head.

“Get rid of that immediately,” I snarl under my breath. “And any other that might be around.”

“Of course, Boss. Consider that done. I hadn’t given it much attention. Sorry,” Guskov apologizes, bowing to me.

“It’s fine. You were saying…” I encourage him to continue, turning my back on the portrait.

Glancing at Angelo, I see him smirking at me, but he doesn’t say a word.

“We got rid of the mansion,” Guskov continues. 

“Good. I want to have a meeting with the men to introduce myself officially. You also need to update me on the deals and businesses we have, so we should schedule another meeting this week.”

Guskov nods sharply. “Okay. I’ll have all of that settled. And I’ll get this penthouse ready for you to move in as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Guskov,” I say warmly.

He exits the apartment, leaving Angelo and me alone.

“I sent a message to Tony, and he’s in town for a meeting. He said he should be free in an hour to meet you,” he informs me, raising his brows at me. “Can I set up the meeting?”

“Absolutely.”