9. A Mole
1054 Words
Marco's Pov
I was in the kitchen, slouched on a stool near the counter, biting into a piece of toast that had long gone cold when Lila, the new maid, walked in. She was always shy around the others, but with me, she smiled just a little more.
I could tell she has taken quite a liking to me.
I have got to admit that she looked h*t in her uniform.
Her cheeks were already tinted pink, and I have not said a word yet.
Cute.
"You always eat at the wrong time," she mumbled, brushing her hair behind her ears.
I smirked, leaning forward on my elbows. "And you always come in here when I do. Maybe you like watching me eat."
She laughed, but it was nervous. Her eyes dropped to the floor, then back up at me.
"I came to clean up."
"Then clean, hermosa," I said, dragging the last bite of toast between my teeth. "But I will be watching."
She rolled her eyes and turned to the sink, but I saw the small smile on her lips. That was how it always started. A little tease here and there. I didn’t mess with the boss’s girls, but the staff? Fair game.
"Hermosa," I called again, voice dipping low. She turned, biting the inside of her cheek, her hands fidgeting with the dish rag.
"As much as I would love to sit here and watch your beautiful self, I have something important to do."
Her eyes stayed on me longer than they should have. I could see hesitation and a mix of fear and craving.
"What do you say about coming up to my room tonight?" I asked.
She played with the hem of her sleeve, cheeks flushed. "But what will the others say? I don't want to get in trouble."
I leaned forward just enough that she had to lift her gaze to meet mine. "My darling, you let me handle them. You trust me, right?"
She nodded slowly, lips parted like she wanted to say more but couldn’t.
"Do not miss me too much," I said with a grin, standing and tossing the paper napkin into the trash.
"Where are you going? Will you be gone for long?" she asked, a little too quickly.
Clingy.
I walked over to her, brushed a finger across a curl that had fallen onto her cheek, watching the way her breath hitched. "Somewhere I shouldn’t," I whispered.
Then I kissed her, just barely and left her standing there, flustered and wide-eyed.
Lorenzo’s house was big, but I knew every corner and every blind spot. I have lived here long enough to know which cameras were real and which were off due to negligence from the security team.
"Lorenzo will have your heads when he finds out." I mumbled. Not like I was bothered, it only made my job easy.
I took the long hallway, the one near the east wing that led to the back exit. I made sure no one was around. Most of the guards were either outside or asleep. The good part about staying in this house is that you blend in.
At the exit, I paused and peeked through the small window. No one was in sight and I couldn't hear any footsteps either. I opened the door slowly, making sure it made no noise and stepped out, gently closing it behind me.
The air outside was cool. I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked behind the fence, right to the garden wall. That spot had no cameras. The gate near the gardener’s shed was always left a little loose.
I slipped through and walked a few steps down the alley behind the house. My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I pulled it out, dialed the only unsaved number.
It rang twice.
"Talk." Raze's voice was always crumpy, no room for pleasantries or jokes.
"It’s me," I said. "She’s here."
"Who?" he asked.
"Thalia. She’s here. In Lorenzo’s house. I saw her myself."
More silence, but I could hear something. A chair scraping, maybe.
"You sure?"
"One hundred percent. I heard her name yesterday when the boss gave orders. She’s in one of the rooms upstairs. She's locked in."
"How long has she been there?"
"At least since last night. I think the boss is trying to break her or get information from her. Maybe both. He brought in Giada."
"The loud one?" There was a little chuckle to his voice.
“Yeah. You know how she gets when she’s let loose.”
Another pause. I heard him sigh. It was a long, deep one. Like he was thinking hard.
"Keep watching. Do not let her know you are working for me. Don't act weird around Thalia. She's a smart one. Am I understood?"
"Got it, boss."
I will be in touch."
He hung up.
I stared at the screen for a second, then locked the phone and slid it back into my pocket.
Thalia has always been so important to my brother. Whenever he hung out outside of town, he wouldn't stop talking about her and her skills.
I leaned against the wall for a moment, thinking.
I knew Lorenzo well enough, even if he's not one to show a thing. He was not the type to let an enemy stay alive if he did not want them. If she was still breathing, it meant something. But I did not ask questions. I just followed orders.
Before heading back, I double-checked the alley. It was empty. I moved quick, slipping back in through the garden gate, and quietly re-entered the house.
I made my way back into the hallway, just as quiet as before.
Then I heard a voice.
"Marco!"
I turned around slowly. It was one of the inner guards. His name was Juno, always serious.
"The boss needs you," he said. "He wants to be driven somewhere. You are on duty."
I gave a small nod, pretending like I had not just returned from outside.
"Alright. Give me a minute."
Juno turned and walked off.
I headed to the garage, but my mind was elsewhere.
Thalia was here, and Raze now knows. I'm sure it wouldn't be long before war breaks out and I'm so ready to have my pound of flesh.
- Writer
