***


July 15th, 2020—Protection.

“That makes three you’re knocking off.” Piero releases an annoyed sigh, the audio clear in my headphones. “Boss, you can’t knock off everyone who tries to flirt with your maid.”

My ears perk up at this. Earlier while I stood by during a meeting, the underboss of another family wouldn’t leave me alone. The Dons were discussing business while I fought off the advances of someone who didn’t understand the word ‘no.’

I barely got away from him when Nicolo stood up, his eyes turn stormy. Silence fell over the crowd as he took slow, measured steps towards the underboss. The temperature in the room seemed to drop with each step.

“Lei ha detto no.” ‘She said no.’ His tone carried a deadly threat as he glared, and the other guy flinched when Nicolo pulled his gun from his jacket. “Sei sordo? Il Romano non lavora con persone che non trattano bene le donne.” ‘Are you deaf? The Romano doesn’t work with people who don’t treat women well.’

Nicolo came back to the Villa after his meeting—red-faced, ordering death for those who flirted with me. Now Piero is trying to calm him down while I eavesdrop through my bugs. He treats me like a civilian—and I let him.

Part of me wants to go comfort him, but that will only encourage his protective streak. The last thing I need is to give him hope that we could have something real between us. People go missing all the time in our world.

Even Dons who try to keep their hands clean still deal in weapons, drugs, and trafficking. Death is just another business transaction. Enforcers—who answer directly to the Don—would ‘bump’ or ‘clip’ any enemies without hesitation.

But the most dangerous are the Earners—their extra money buys them power even over the Soldati, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the Don’s wishes. Both Earners and Enforcers still have to come to the Don or one of his seconds to confirm before making moves that involve a lot of the family resources.

Nicolo is different. While other Dons rule through fear, he checks on his Soldati personally, asking about their families, their needs. His people love him for it. Those fortunate enough to do business with him prospered quickly under his management.

It makes my job harder—how can someone this humane, this dedicated to his people, be allowing information leaks that could destroy families? My instincts scream that he’s innocent, but I can’t let personal feelings cloud my judgment.

“Lili represents all women in the Villa, Piero. That’s another reason I selected her as my closest maid. They should respect women regardless of their status.” My head tilts at this, and I strain to hear more despite the recording being crystal clear. “Other Mafioso Families must learn to behave respectfully towards my workers.”

It isn’t just about me. That’s something else I find respectable about Nicolo—he seems more human than other Mafia heads I’ve worked around. Maybe there are some benefits to this job. It’s refreshing. As the future Donna back home, I always have to watch over my shoulder. Here, I can relax a bit and be myself.

Perhaps the investigation running a little long isn’t such a bad thing. I listen to some shifting in the recording, then a frustrated groan. I nod to myself; it sounds like Piero’s just as tired of Nicolo’s antics as I am, at least, as tired as I tell myself I am anyway.

“And it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact you want to…” Piero’s teasing tone carries through my headphones making my cheeks heat a little. “I mean, we’ve talked about her being your type before, maybe…”

“I would love to spend an evening with Lili. That is not the problem. You know I cannot stand any woman being disrespected in front of me,” Nicolo’s voice grows more annoyed as he continues. “But you have noticed, right? There is something different about her.”

So much for staying under the radar. I scratch the back of my head and lean back in my desk chair. Nicolo can see through me. I need to get the information I came for and leave. Soon. If I had to hang around Prince Perfect much longer, I’m going to regret it.

“What would you think if I made her Donna?”

“I think everyone would listen to her. Miss Lili has a certain presence when she enters a room, something that simply calls everyone’s attention.” Piero’s words surprise me enough to make me blink. “But Boss, don’t you think you’re causing her enough trouble? The Head Maid filed a complaint today because everyone is mad at her.”

“Fire them.”

Nicolo is intent on causing more trouble, isn’t he? My phone chimes with a new notification and I glance at the screen. There are still a few rooms needing bugs, so I need to hurry and finish placing them before Nicolo can convince the truth out of me.

My hands wring together for a second before I slip into some darker casual clothing. If anyone asks, I can claim insomnia. It’s time to get back to work—I can’t let his charm distract me from my mission any longer. The area near the kitchen needs the most bugs since that’s where a majority of the family and staff spend their time.

***

Nicolo Romano—Summer Heat.

Lili. Even in casual clothes, she looks good. But what is she doing up so late? Staring up at him with doe brown eyes, Nicolo can’t help but lose himself again. She doesn’t look the least bit tired as they enter the kitchen together, leaving him wondering what she’s up to.

He often comes here late—it’s the only time he can sneak sweets without Stella catching him. His cook will be furious if she catches them both sneaking food. He checks her out, gaze dropping over her figure as he bites his lower lip.

“I take it you wanted something sweet?” Her smooth voice washes away all his stress the moment it touches his ears. “Had a touch of insomnia, so I’m wandering the halls. I can make you something sweet if you like.”

The only sweet thing he wants is her. Nicolo watches the tail of her skirt sway from side to side as she fiddles around in the kitchen. He can just see the tattoo peeking out on her neck when she shifts, those oak brown pools turning to look at him.

He swallows thickly, barely able to contain his desire for her. A certain air of mystery hangs around her, drawing him further into her web. His mysterious maid with the almost too perfect background who walked into his Villa and rejects him at every turn.

“So you weren’t searching for me?” He ventures with a wicked grin, crossing his arms over his broad chest as he looks down his nose at her. “I was on a walk. You stopped me.”

“So, I can eat all the sweets?” Lili smirks mischievously, brown eyes sparkling with mirth. “Because I could always eat all the sugary stuff so you won’t have any.”

He huffs. How does she know about his sweet tooth, anyway? It’s not a topic that comes up in conversation often. Nicolo watches as she turned away again, his eyes following the curves of her hips up to her neck.

Maybe it was lust and not love, yet part of him yearns for it. Her touch, her kiss, her love. Lili set a cup in front of him, the clatter drawing his attention across her stunning features. No, Nicolo couldn’t look at another woman if he tried.

“I can’t condone eating sweets this late, but a small cup of chocolate milk should sate your sweet tooth.” She smiles and sinks into the armchair beside him. “You may think you’re not obvious, but you are. You only ever drink sweet wine at dinner, and your eyes light up when dessert is served.”

“And you are observant.” Nicolo smiles when she turns to him, her nose crinkling in fake disgust at his compliment. “Few have noticed such an insignificant detail. Or is it the cold Lili is actually paying more attention than she cares to admit? Especially since you seem to worry over my health.”

“It is my job to ensure the needs of my Don are met.” Lili returns, the mask she usually wears slipping back into place. “As your personal maid, I have to make sure you stay fit to run the family and…”

“Where do your true loyalties lie?” He interrupts her spiel, watching as her eyes widen. “How can I be sure you are not a threat to me?”

“My loyalties lie in service to the family I work for.” She counters with a confident nod with such a vague answer before adding. “And if I were a threat, would you not already be at risk just by being alone with me?”

There it is. Lili can play dumb all day, but her intelligence always becomes all the more evident when someone challenges it. It’s the only time he can glimpse the woman hiding underneath, and makes him feel like a glutton for punishment.

She’s right, too. If she were a danger, he would already be dead. That’s how things worked in this world. Nicolo watched her lift her glass to her lips; his gaze focused on their soft, bowed shape.

“Tell me, Lili. Who are you?”

“A maid in the service of a very selfish and prideful Don.” Lili glares before drinking her milk, expression turning thoughtful. “Though I suppose he is handsome, so maybe his confidence exists for a reason.”

Nicolo smirks at her, counting it as a win. Lili just complimented him, so there was no point in taking offense. Before she could stand, he catches her hand, drawing those doe brown pools to him, an innocent smile on her face.

What he wouldn’t give to taste her. To devour those lips and drive her wild, and see her. Really see her. Her free hand lifts to her lips, hiding a smile for a moment before using her fingers to tuck some hair behind her ear.

“So you at least find me attractive.” He continues, lifting the back of her hand to his lips and watching as her focus moves to them. “You will make me into a very greedy man if you keep showing me glimpses of the real you, Lili.”

A flush colors her cheeks before she hides it away, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. Everything this woman does sets his temperature too high, and he can feel his pants growing tighter. And she notices. The sharp intake of her breath sends goosebumps erupting across his arms.

Her body draws closer until just a thread of space exists between them. Then she leans forward, the ghost of her breath against the collar around his neck making him shudder. His fists clench at his sides as he fights back the urge to grab her and kiss her senseless.

“Il vero me.” ‘The real me.’ She purrs into his ear, making his toes curl in his black dress shoes. “Mai.” ‘Never.’

It’s the first he recalled hearing her speak Italian, and he didn’t expect it to sound so alluring. Lili is Italian American, so no one expected her to understand them, but the knowing glow in her eyes tells him all he needed to know.

She knows Italian and speaks it well. As if he isn’t already deafened by just how much he wants her. His hand reaches out to brush along her cheek, making her flinch and pull away, her expression changing to something unreadable.

“And again, you leave us in a questionable state while people are nearby.” Lili counters while crossing her arms over her chest. “I am a maid, Don Romano. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“I am a Don. I have seen many maids pass through this residence, but none like you. None even notable.” Nicolo catches her hand again, drawing her closer wanting to feel her presence as close as she would allow. “If I find you are a threat to my family…”

Her mouth clicks closed and he looks down his nose at her, a wicked smile growing on his lips. He has her where he wants her. Keep her guessing his motives because he has a working theory as to her identity, but no proof.

Anyone can ask questions and if they know enough people, they’d likely get answers. No such family exists in the known Mafia world, so who is she kidding? But he can tell the truth. Lili’s here for a reason, and he’s glad for it.

“You don’t have to worry, Nico.” She whispers as she pulls away, again, but this time reaching up to run her fingertips along his jawline before walking away, leaving him frozen where he stands. “Trust me, Nicolo. Just don’t look too hard, and everything will be fine.”

Will it? Nicolo isn’t too sure, but he knows, he wants to be with her. Lili. His ever–mysterious personal maid who is more professional than anyone he knows. Who is she, really? He is desperate to find out. He needs to know who she was.

She’s the only woman he’s ever wanted—and feared. Nothing burns hotter than the mere thought of her touch. He watches her back until she disappears around a corner.