The Mafia King's Virgin Healer

No escape

"You're hired and you're starting right this moment," Pedro repeated, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

Alex shot Pedro a sidelong glance, her lips parting in disbelief. "Will you stand on one choice and not confuse us?" she whispered in bewilderment, causing Pedro to turn his glacial stare on her. She immediately pouted and looked away, knowing better than to challenge him further.

Maya squared her shoulders, summoning what little courage she had left. "I insist that I don't need the job. Can I go now?" Her voice trembled slightly, but she stood her ground.

The corner of Pedro's mouth curved into a dangerous smirk. "Do you think you can walk in and walk out of this place as you like?"

"I know I can't," Maya admitted, her voice softening as desperation crept in. "That's why I'm pleading with you to please let me go. I'm the only functioning daughter of my parents. I'm extremely useful to them." She tried to explain, silently hoping the domineering man would understand and let her go.

But she thought wrong.

Pedro's jaw tightened. "I said you're working. That's final, and don't make me repeat myself." Clearly, his patience was running dry.

Maya shook her head frantically. "You don't understand. My parents would be missing me so much since I'm the only healthy daughter they have. My sister is sick and needs medication. You have to let me go back to them. You can keep the job. I don't want it anymore—"

Her words were cut short by Pedro slamming his palm against the table, the sound reverberating through the room like a gunshot. Maya felt her body shiver involuntarily as he stood and strode toward her with predatory grace.

Alex remained frozen in her seat, her eyes widening as she watched the scene unfold. She wanted to intervene but knew better than to step between Pedro and his target. Instead, she observed the ordeal with fascination and horror, noting how the atmosphere in the room seemed to change, becoming charged with something dangerous yet oddly magnetic.

"Do you want me to cut your useless tongue before you learn to stop talking back?" Pedro growled, towering over Maya now.

Maya bit her lip as she slowly shook her head. It was better to obey than to have her tongue mutilated. The deadly look in the man's icy green eyes showed just how serious he was. Even his expensive cologne invading her senses felt overwhelming, making it hard to think clearly.

"I said you're working and that's what you will do. Do you understand?" Pedro demanded, his face mere inches from hers.

"Y-yes sir," Maya whispered, hating the way her voice betrayed her fear.

"Good girl." Something that looked like a cold smile appeared briefly in his eyes as he looked into Maya's terrified ones.

Maya felt her breath hitch. Her eyes were held captive, causing waves of strange feelings to flood through her. It was as if the man was staring deep inside her soul, peeling away layers she didn't even know existed. Against her better judgment, she couldn't help but think that the man was devilishly handsome—his beauty all the more dangerous for its perfection.

*If I were to consider giving my heart to anyone, it would be someone as alluring as Pedro,* she thought absently, then immediately hated herself for it. *It's a pity that the man is as rotten with ruthlessness as he is enchanting in his features.*

Alex watched the exchange with a knowing look in her eyes. The tension between them was profound, and she knew this relationship would go far. Her medical training had taught her to recognize physiological responses, and what she saw between Pedro and Maya went beyond simple fear and intimidation. She remained silent, a thoughtful expression settling on her face.

Pedro finally broke his gaze from Maya and turned to Alex. "Take her to the mall and brush her up," he commanded, though his gaze kept drifting back to Maya. "Especially the hair. Get rid of the color. I want her properly dressed in an official way. As for the tattoos, we'll talk about them another time."

"Pedro, I'm a doctor. Not your errand girl," Alex grumbled. But she was forced to rephrase her words when Pedro glanced back at her, his expression darkening threateningly. "I will make sure she's brushed up," she quickly amended, though reluctance was obvious in her eyes.

"Will you be okay?" Alex asked as Pedro made to walk upstairs, noting the slight rigidity in his posture that betrayed his lingering pain.

"I will manage," Pedro said dismissively. "Remember, make her dress official and well-polished." He disappeared up the grand staircase, leaving the two women staring after him.

"Uhmmmm..." Both Maya and Alex simultaneously released their breath, as if they'd been holding it the entire time he was present.

"Is he always this intimidating?" Maya looked over at Alex, her voice still slightly shaky.

Alex chuckled, though there was little humor in it. "You have to expect more."

"I don't really know what to expect," Maya sighed, running a hand through her two-toned hair.

"Something probably worse—or better. He's so unconventional, and I hope you get used to him soon." Alex shrugged.

"Should I be scared?" Maya asked, fear creeping into her voice.

"I'm sure you can handle him," Alex replied with a knowing smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She turned to leave. "Follow closely. We need to get you to the salon and some high-end boutiques for your makeover. Pedro wants you looking refined, and I don't have much time. My place is in the hospital."

"Makeover? So we're going shopping?" Maya asked, both relieved and nervous at the prospect.

"The Shops at Columbus Circle has everything we need—salon, designer stores, the works. Pedro only accepts perfection," Alex explained as they walked out of the mansion. "Don't worry, it's all on his account."

"Yeah," Maya said, hurrying after Alex, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the mansion, if only temporarily.

They stepped outside into the bright sunlight, and Maya's eyes widened at the sleek sports car parked in the circular driveway. "Woah... Is this your car?"

"That's one of the privileges I have," Alex replied with a casual shrug.

"Wow, this is amazing. I love this car, it's so cool." Maya was truly mesmerized as she circled the vehicle, running her fingers reverently over its gleaming surface.

"Do you like it that much?" Alex laughed, genuinely amused by Maya's childlike wonder.

"Cars are my weakness," Maya admitted, her face lighting up as she traced the elegant curves of the hood. "My dad runs an old mechanic workshop on the outskirts of town. I've been helping him since I was tall enough to hold a wrench. We never get to work on beauties like this though." A hint of wistfulness crept into her voice. "Most days it's just rusty pickups and sedans with shot transmissions."

"Wanna try driving?" Alex asked, an impressed look crossing her face.

"Can I?" Maya's eyes widened with excitement for the first time since she'd entered the compound.

"Of course." Alex nodded as she tossed Maya the car keys and slipped into the passenger seat.

Maya felt her heart soar like someone who had won the lottery. Truly, she had won a lottery, but one with a perilous price tag attached. She kissed the car key and caressed the steering wheel adoringly before turning the ignition.