THE MAFIA'S FAVORITE MAID

CHAPTER 15

The days after that night blurred into a slow, deliberate torment.

Every morning at breakfast, Dante found excuses to touch me. A hand that lingered too long on the back of my chair. Fingers brushing the small of my back when he reached for the sugar. Once, when I leaned over to pour his coffee, his palm slid lower and cupped the curve of my ass for just a second before he pulled away with a lazy smile.

At lunch, when I brought his tea, he let his fingers trail up my wrist and pause near the pulse point. “Careful, little girl,” he murmured, voice low enough that only I could hear. “Keep shaking like that and I might start thinking you’re scared of me… or scared of what I want.”

I never looked up. I never answered. I only stepped back, heart hammering, and left the dining room faster than necessary.

And every night, Tyler’s calls became more desperate.

The debt collectors had shown up at his apartment yesterday. They were brutal now — not just threats, but proof. One of them had slammed a knife on the table in front of me, and told me they were coming for me unless the money was paid in one week.

Tyler’s voice cracked when he called that night. “Aria… baby, please. They’re not playing anymore. If I don’t have the money by next Friday, they’ll kill me. Please… I’m begging you. Just find a way.”

The line went dead before I can even reply.

I dropped to my knees right there in the servants’ hallway, phone still pressed to my ear, and felt the first hot sting of tears. My chest was too tight. I couldn’t breathe.

That day I couldn’t focus on anything.

While I chopped vegetables, my knife trembled in my hand. While I washed dishes, I stared at the water instead of scrubbing. When I folded the last clean tablecloth, I just stood there, staring at the wall, tears falling onto the fabric without me even realizing.

The only thing that kept me going was the thought of tomorrow morning.

Dante would be waiting.

And somehow, even now, part of me was terrified of what would happen when I finally went to him.

That night, after everyone else had gone to bed, I stood outside the study door for a long time. My heart was racing so hard I could hear it in my ears. I knocked once, softly.

“Come in.”

His voice was calm, almost bored, but I can feel the danger underneath it.

I stepped inside, hands twisting the hem of my shirt nervously. The room smelled of leather and whiskey and something that is just him. Dante sat behind the desk in his usual black shirt, sleeves rolled up, looking every inch the dangerous king.

I stopped near the door, voice shaking. “I… I accept that deal.”

A slow, dark smile spread across his face. He leaned back in his chair and watched me for a long moment.

“How about this,” he said quietly, voice low and teasing, “isn’t it better if you just accept everything I give you now, instead of pretending you still belong to that pretty boy?”

My eyes filled with tears I refused to let fall. I took one shaky step forward, then another, until I was standing right in front of his desk.

And for the first time, I didn’t say no.