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Dedication

To Smita Kurrumchand, a badass babe who came to the US when she was eighteen, and built a life for herself with guts, hard work, and a generous spirit.

Smita, I always knew that I was writing Raj’s story for you.

(Minus the husband parts.)

I hope she inspires you to continue to be an unapologetic badass boss babe.

Chapter One
Rajneet

Rajneet Kaur Hothi was eighteen the last time she was played for a fool.

She’d just stepped onto American soil at JFK Airport with a freshly stamped F-student visa and all of her belongings in two large suitcases. Her new roommate, a girl she met on an apartment listing site, was supposed to pick her up.

But Kelly never showed. Raj had waited for five hours at the baggage terminal, the last two in terror, before realizing she was completely on her own. She couldn’t call her parents in Punjab. Her father had already been so angry with her for wanting to study in America. He wouldn’t even take her to the airport. Her mother had been quiet and reserved during their goodbyes. Raj had sworn that she’d never go running back to them because that would give them even more power over her. Instead she’d wiped her eyes of shame, squared her shoulders, and spoke to security. They’d taken pity on her and directed her to the nearest, most affordable hotel.

The next day, Raj had discovered the apartment she’d paid a deposit for didn’t exist, and Kelly’s number was no longer in service.

Since that moment twelve years ago, she’d trusted a very small, vetted group of people. She’d carefully screened and cultivated that group and protected them as fiercely as if they were family.

That short list used to include Robert, the man she’d married right after her college graduation ceremony.

She never thought he’d betray her.

In the shadowed backseat of the car, with New York City sidewalks passing by outside her windows, Raj looked at her phone to read the new message from Mina.

MINA: DIVORCED? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE GETTING DIVORCED?

RAJ: We’ll meet next week. I promise I’ll explain everything.

MINA: I’m so mad at you for keeping secrets. I need to know everything.

RAJ: I promise.

After the last text, Raj tucked her cell back into the square gold clutch in her lap. She wiggled the fingers of her bare left hand, then addressed her soon-to-be ex-husband who sat on the limo bench across from her.

“Mina knows about our divorce now.”

Robert glanced up, then back at his phone. “Did you tell her?”

“I had to. She learned today that you took a job with WTA.”

“Why does that matter?” he asked.

“Oh, I don’t know, darling. Maybe because it’s the conglomerate that made a hostile takeover attempt for her boyfriend’s family business?”

“Raj . . .”