***


July 10th, 2020—Questions.

“Who wants him poisoned…?” I whisper the question to myself as I take a bite of cannoli.

The courtyard’s calm doesn’t my thoughts. While other maids gossip, I’m solving a puzzle that could get me killed. Giuseppe was just the beginning. A maid wouldn’t listen to him.

According to the testimony of the maid who attempted to poison Nicolo, she didn’t know which superior called for it or the person who gave her the orders. Who else would have if the superior didn’t do it directly?

The Head Maid could have. Or a Soldati on orders from a superior. It will be impossible to narrow it down, since there are so many in the employ of the Romano family. The only option I have is to listen to the bugs I placed. But there’s a downside to this plan.

There are a few places I have yet to place a recorder, so going through it one by one would take too much time. I need to call in some assistance. I pull my necklace out of my shirt, the device a direct connection to the Accardi, and press two buttons on the side that are unnoticeable to the naked eye.

In the computer age, one person inside can send everything out. I just have to be careful and not get caught. I quietly glance at the other maids as I wait for my contact to answer and try to avoid listening to them gossip about Nicolo.

“I take it you need some backup?” The voice in the earbud of my headphones is that of the computer whiz, Emilio, back at home. “Or is there some data you need analyzed?”

“It’s a lovely time to take a break right now in the courtyard.” I say loud enough to seem like I’m talking to the other maids as I take several bites of a cannoli. “Listening to the birds out here is quite nice.”

A few of the staff glance at me, their whispers behind their hands not unnoticed, but I’m unbothered by it. Weighted stares of misunderstandings occur often around the Villa, it’s no different back home. Hatred. Fear. There’s no difference between the two.

“I see.” His tone changes to playful. “Trying to finish up quickly?” Then, he pauses for several beats. “It’s unlike you to rush a job, like this Princess. You hate leaks but try to be thorough and take your time.”

“Yes, this courtyard is the perfect place to get some sun.” I wipe the food from my lips, rushing to end the conversation before he can press about why. “Will you just listen to the birds? They sound lovely.”

I turn off the device without another word and groan, raking my fingers through my short hair. Most of the Soldati in the Accardi family are loyal to me without fail, but a few pick on me like siblings. Emilio is one such Soldati. An excellent, professional hacker he may be, yet, childish otherwise.

A text notification pings. Emilio: ‘What’s the rush? Don’t tell me the icy princess is thawing…’ Love is a fantasy reserved for princesses. I’m no princess – I’m a weapon. I roll my eyes before tucking it back into the pocket of my apron without a reply.

No job’s ever been this big—or this confusing. The Romano Family is a Valleza media darling, and are closer to the light than any family I previously investigated. They’re more like civilians compared to my family, which is why it’s confusing to investigate them.

There is just no way Nicolo would allow someone to break the Omertà. I lean back to look up at the sky when I notice it. A presence nearby that sets my nerves on edge, and I glance around my immediate area.

“Miss Lili. I hope you’re finding your stay in the Villa enjoyable.” Piero steps out from behind some rose bushes nearby, a friendly smile on his face. “Please, let me apologize for the Don. He unnecessarily drew attention to your presence here and your status.”

Piero is far smarter than he looks. He takes a seat on the bench next to me with a sigh, a defeated expression on his face. A bird chirps somewhere nearby and the sunlight streams through the leaves of the trees in the courtyard.

The soft trickle of water from the pond draws my gaze down to the gold and white koi fish swimming in its bottom. There’s a certain level of peacefulness in this moment that belies the reality of the darkness descending on the Romanos.

“You will also have to forgive me. What is your true connection to the Cardi family?” His green eyes narrow suspiciously as he glances at me. “Are you a danger to the Don? Who are you and why are you here?”

The barrel of a gun presses against my waist, but I only relax against the bench, pretending I don’t notice. I rest my elbow behind Piero and glance at him from under my lashes, gauging the seriousness in his features.

His grip loosens, unaware of my own hand holds a silenced palm pistol aimed at his head. My protection and identity are more important than his life, something my grandfather has always told me.

“Giuseppe made it sound like your position here was dangerous for us. For the Don.” He whispers, the barrel presses firmer than before into my side. “If you intend…”

“Your Don is under no threat from me.” For now, I swear silently, meeting his gaze with a firm confidence, waiting for him to see the truth behind my words. “I swear it.”

“Then…” Piero starts before hesitating as he stares into my eyes searchingly. “Why are you here?”

“I need the money, Signore. And I heard everyone in Valleza works for the Romano at least once.” I chuckle, coming up with an excuse on the fly that any maid would answer with. “You approved me. If you thought me dangerous, why?”

Piero stares into my eyes for several minutes. I know from Accardi research that he’s been Nicolo’s best friend since childhood, so his protectiveness over his friend goes beyond just Mafia loyalty. I respect him.

His eyes narrow again, but the press of the barrel disappears from my side, so I put mine away. Maybe he will never know how close he came to death, but I wasn’t going to point it out. I don’t take unnecessary targets—no matter how close they come.

The Accardi never show their full hand. Anyone would question my quick position jump from new hire to ‘direct maid for the Don,’ and of course they will bring those questions to me. Though no one expects me to have an answer for every question.

“The Cardi referred me here for work since they are decreasing their number. There is much less use for us maids anymore.” I continue, placing my hands in my lap. “But everyone has heard that the Romano family is growing. Plus, my Don wants me to see if Liliana Cardi would like Nicolo.”

And so far, I do, which makes this job dangerous for me. I can almost see myself spending a night in his arms, and if a single touch sends a jolt through me, I can’t imagine what sex would be like. But wanting him is dangerous. I can’t afford to think about that now.

It’s best for everyone to assume I have no interest in him. Especially since in the future, as the Donna of the Accardi, I will have a large target on my back. Nicolo doesn’t need that nor does he deserve it. I glance at my watch, noting it’s time for me to get back to work.

Of course, the other servants keep getting in the way. The number of them who’ve tried are increasing. They hate how he favors me. I stand, not looking forward to what comes next.

“How can you stand it?!” A raven-haired maid screeches as I reenter the Villa to make my way back to Nicolo’s office. “Walking around like you own the place just because the Young Master picked you.”

I bite my inner cheek and play subservient to the older servants often, though my eyes narrow. The first thing I should do is extract myself from the situation in the most polite, kindest way possible. We all have work to do.

“Pardon. I must serve Mr. Romano his lunch.” My formal, stiff tone slices through the tension and with a bow as I walk towards the kitchen. “We all have jobs to do.”

“And if we don’t ‘pardon’ you?” She steps in front of me, her slender arms crossing over her chest. “Maybe if we make you late often enough…”

“How childish. You should be focused on your own job instead of worrying about mine.” I glance around at everyone who’s watching with unfiltered annoyance. “Because you not doing yours isn’t going to get me fired. I’m not here to make friends.”

I sidestep around her and disappear into the kitchen without another word. On autopilot, I lift the tray of food into my hands and take a different door out of the kitchen, not wanting to be late with Nicolo’s lunch, he’s a grouch without it.

My job here isn’t to make friends, so it’s unnecessary to remain kind to anyone outside of Nicolo. And I only show slight kindness to him because I need more evidence on who’s selling information to the various governments chasing down the Mafia.

It’s becoming increasingly more important for me to stay away from Nicolo, yet my position makes that difficult. Is he doing this on purpose? A chill rolls down my spine and I glance around the brightly lit courtyard.

Of everyone here, he’s the most dangerous, since he can easily make me confess if he tries hard enough. I should avoid being alone with him at all costs, but just because I should doesn’t mean it’s possible. He always seems to know where I am.

“I am surprised at how well you handled that, Miss Lili.” A rough, scratchy voice startles me a fraction, and I turn to find Angelo standing there, a wicked grin on his face. “Did you have training for that with the ‘Cardi,’ too?”

“Si, Signore.” I nod vaguely, turning my attention back to the direction of Nicolo’s office. “We had to be prepared for anything in the Cardi house.”

“You know, you being that close to the Don puts you in the prime position to steal things.” Angelo continues with a wink, his dry lips pulling back in a smile. “The maid is often the first to be blamed, too. I would be very careful if I were you.”

I can easily see him being the one who orders Nicolo’s poisoning, but lack of proof hinders that. I ignore him as my footsteps continue through the corridor towards the office without pause, and I half–wonder what Angelo is up to.

Is he wanting me to steal for him, or is he thinking of framing me for something? Or is he warning me that someone is after me? I can still feel his presence on my left, but he disappears when I come to a stop outside the office.

“Mr. Romano.” Tray in hand, I reach the office. “I have your lunch.” I knock once, then open the door, closing it behind me with my foot, making it clear I’m protecting his secret from the staff. “The staff seem unaware of your… other side.”

Piero pulls back from punching a seated figure, while Nicolo sits with his fists propping his head up on his desk. Without glancing at Piero’s victim, I walk over to Nicolo’s desk and set his meal gently in front of him.

The man who now rests against the floor, a dribble of blood leaking from the corner of his lips, shakes his head. The overturned chair and tight black rope keep the man from moving. I prepare Nicolo a glass of tea, then stand off to the side in case he needs me.

The NDA he made me sign doesn’t matter. The Omertà bound me long before. Unless he’s a traitor. My fists clench behind my back. I peek at him under my lashes. Please don’t be a traitor. My mind whispers words that will never part my lips.

Piero rights the chair with his face twisted into an angry glare. It’s so different from his usual friendly façade, that I almost look away. It’s been a while since I watched a good information ‘torture’ session.

“Speak!” Piero shouts, his fist landing against the man’s face again with a dull thump. “The Don asked you a question!”

“Piero.” Nicolo glances at me with hesitation written on his features before nodding. “Chi mi ha tradito?” ‘Who betrayed me?’ Perhaps he realizes I’m familiar with this, but I don’t flinch. “Parla.”

Maybe they assume I don’t know Italian because of my Italian/American background. I’m not a native speaker, but I know enough to understand someone betrayed the family, and Nicolo thinks this man knows who.

Then a thought occurs that clenches my jaw. Is this what Angelo was talking about? Have I been so distracted by Nicolo that I didn’t realize I was being set up? I examine the features of their prisoner closer to see if at any point, I recognized him. Nothing.

If I could speak with the guy, I could get the information in seconds, though doing so would reveal my identity. I remain still, waiting for Nicolo to give me more orders. When he finally does, though, I have to stop myself from reacting with shock.

“Lili. Leave.” Nicolo states after a while, his hand reaching into his desk for a set of brass knuckles, and my fingers tighten in the fabric of my uniform behind my back. “A lady should not see such a thing.”

But I’ve seen worse—and done worse. Still, his attempt to shield me… shakes the walls around what I thought long buried beneath duty.