~~~~~

I would have to be more careful to not draw attention to myself, yet my fearlessness garnered me the attention of the Don. I reorganized the files atop his desk, carefully placing a bug under the corner of it where his legs would rest. This was technically all I needed to accomplish, but I expected it to take months to reach this point. Not days. I was careful to make it look like I was merely working as the man in question sat discussing business with his Consigliere Angelo. Though I was not to know his name as a maid, so I feigned innocence and ignorance.

“Are you sure he should go on a ride, Boss?” Piero asked, making the Don lean forward in his seat, his head resting on his fist. “It does not sound like you.”

“He’s a stool pigeon.” Angelo replied, glancing at me as I worked to dust the bookshelves. “And a piece of work. Best not to speak of it in front of Legits.”

My title was Princess, yet here, they treated me as a maid. I still understood what they were saying, despite the older terminology. Perhaps they were testing me, but I continued cleaning as though I did not hear them. A benefit to my training was that I did not have to worry about being seen through. Whatever part I needed to play; I could play professionally. They wouldn’t catch me slipping up, not this early in.

I moved to the next shelf without a care in the world and heard Nicolo shift behind me. He was the exception. Perhaps he had a keen eye for spies, but he seemed to notice any change in my demeanor. His scent drifted up to my nose, his expensive cologne making my stomach tense with desire. I shifted away from him as I sprayed the disinfectant on his desk to wipe down the top. There was a need to avoid being alone with him as much as possible!

“I do not know your purpose here, but I will find out.” He mumbled, his deep voice sending gooseflesh down my spine. “And I will see where that tattoo ends, Lili Orlando.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat and took a deep breath, forcing my now fiery blood to cool. How did he get under my skin? I thought back to that first night I came here a week ago. The way he looked at me had my throat closing yet again, and the fires of passion boiled. Every nerve stood on end as the tip of his finger stroked against the base of my neck, before his presence disappeared completely, and a heavy, hot sigh parted my lips.

“The Legit used to work for the Accardi family as the Young Mistress’s maid. I’m sure she’s heard plenty about our world at her former job.” Then his emerald eyes narrowed suspiciously, a gaze I could feel on my spine. “Why were you permitted to come here if you were so good at your job?”

“Don Romano,” I started, turning before bowing in his direction. “Her grandfather wished to determine if you were a good match for her before he presented her hand.”

“And you are to determine this?”

That was our cover story, yet I wanted to tell him the truth. There was an earnestness in those green eyes I wanted to believe in, but if he were leaking information to the outside world, then he would become a target. My family were those selected to protect the underworld. There were things the normal people could not know about, and the Omertà had to be upheld. I gave a vague smile, hiding my eyes behind my bangs. I am a professional. There was a job I had to do here.

“If my boss so deems it, yes,” was my reply with a bow. “Excuse me, my Don. I must prepare your meal.”

It was the perfect excuse, as a knock just landed on the door, showing lunch arrived. I opened the door with a smile; accepting the cart from an innocent–looking maid. I knew how this world worked, how to avoid topics without drawing suspicion, and redirect towards something less dangerous for me. It could be fun to change the subject and confuse someone. Nicolo grumbled, then took his seat at his desk.

The cart held enough lunch for all three men, but the flash of something in the maid’s hand caught my attention, making my eyes narrow suspiciously. Without another thought, I fumbled with the cart, knocking it and all the contents to the floor. As the soup and meat soaked in the flavors of the carpet, I threw a towel onto the mess, playing up my duties to make sure everything was right. My audience looked less than pleased, but I quickly dabbed at the carpet, forcing tears to my eyes.

“Ah, I’m so sorry! My Don, it was an accident.” I bowed repeatedly, smacking myself in the head with my hand once for effect. “I will go with the maid to prepare you another.”

Nicolo’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded without even trying to hide his suspicion. As soon as I was certain we were out of earshot, I reached out, jerking the maid behind the column nearby, slamming her hard into the wall. Her eyes widened in shock before she struggled, her flimsy flailing not comparing to my grip on her collar. When she found herself unable to move, her shock turned fast to anger, but I did not hesitate to search through her clothes to find the hidden vial.

No one would kill him but me if it came to that, I decided, finding her hiding spot in the girl’s pocket. When I held it up to show her, the fight left her, and her arms hung loosely to her sides. Of course, there would be regrets, especially if someone caught another red–handed, but to turn so completely on your boss? What did a maid hope to gain by something like that? As much as I wanted to let it go, something like this couldn’t slide. She would have to go to the Accardi house for her punishment for interrupting my job.

“Mind explaining this?” I questioned with narrowed eyes, shoving the vial closer. “Or should I turn you in?”

“AH! D–don’t d–do that… The Don is not above marking someone!” was the maid’s counter, a horrified look in her baby blue orbs. “One superior ordered it! I–I don’t know which one, but they want the D–Don out of the way!”

“You picked a horrible day to do this. Is that all you know?” I demanded, watching as the girl nodded yes, then released her. “Go to the Head Servant and tell them you quit. If I ever see you here again, I’ll take care of you myself. Step outside and wait. A car will pick you up.”

“Superiors often hold an air of authority, eh, Lili?” I startled a centimeter, before calmly looking over my shoulder to lock eyes with Nicolo, then feigned innocence.

“My Don? Whatever are you talking about?” I countered with a shrug. “I merely gave her a little touch.”

Anyone with eyes could tell. It was in the way Nicolo licked his lips. The way his fingers clenched together to make a fist. The way he swallowed. I had to stop myself from reaching out to run my fingers through his hair. Nicolo was every single bit of my type, so his response to me had me wanting more. His body on mine more. Skin to skin, more. I swallowed thickly, my eyes focusing hard on those full lips, down the handsome chin to his muscular neck, arms, and chest.

How would it feel to touch the muscles that rested under his clothes? I wondered, as the rest of the world fell away under his gaze. Those deep, green eyes I could almost feel like a caress over my slight curves, and I licked my lips, drawing his gaze to them. It felt as though they were treading a thin line, and the notion made me hyperaware of the position of his lips as they parted, and the heavy sound of his lustful sigh.

His scent was intoxicating, and the expensive cologne mixed with his natural musk well. I desperately wanted to lean ever closer, despite all the warning signals going off in my brain. I let out a deep sigh, backing away from what I assumed was the scent of the devil with a will I was unaware I had. Was this man made to drive me senseless? If only my job here was as simple as walking through the Villa. I couldn’t let myself get caught up in him.

“Your meeting will delay more if I linger, my Don. Let me return this cart and check on the other maid.” Even I felt shocked by how even my voice was, despite how heated I felt. “I would hate to fail you so soon into my job as your personal maid.”

~~~~~

Nicolo was aware of the dangerous allure she possessed as he watched her push the cart towards the kitchen. Her strawberry-scented shampoo filled his senses, clogging his mind as the click of her steps left him behind. For a single moment, he could see the woman under her facade, the one that begged to be desired, but she snapped back quickly, shattering his expectations. He wanted her to come to him. To beg him for pleasure he knew he could give her. Nicolo tucked his hand into his pockets as he watched her.

He did not overhear the conversation the ladies had, but saw Lili touching the other woman. His imagination ran wild. Just the idea of her accepting his pleasure while he watched had him tensing. The insinuating comment she made afterwards only made his pants tighten further, and he glared at her spine. Nicolo hoped for one day where he might affect her the way she did him. He wanted to see her squirm.

“Lili.” He called, watching as she paused a few feet away. “I meant what I said earlier. I will find out what your clothing hides.”

~~~~~

His words affected me so much. I did not know how I made it to the kitchen, but I was soon leaning against the door between me and the hallway, hand over my heart. I knew my way around a man, as it often came up as part of gathering information, but no one had ever made my heart race like he did. It was thudding hard against my chest, and my face flushed. Who was he? What did he do to me? I remembered how close his body was, and my teeth sank into my bottom lip. Stella took one look at me before releasing a loud laugh, her eyes watering.

“Appasionato!” ‘Passionate!’ she yelled, throwing up her hands. “Diventano tutti a appasionato!” ‘They all become passionate!’

My mind supplied and I rolled my eyes, but knew there was some truth to the old wives’ tales. Especially the ones about hot–blooded men. Yet I had my doubts. I’ve met plenty American men. Were Italians that different? Nicolo seemed to be. Why had I prevented his death? It would save me a lot of trouble if he ended up being guilty. In fact, it would take his line out of the equation, indirectly solving the problem. Usually, I did not fear someone getting a comeuppance, yet the thought of anyone harming him made my stomach churn.

I bit my lip as the head cook re–prepared the meal before re–plating the meal, then turned back to the office. When I listen to the recordings later, perhaps I would find what I needed and leave this place for good. He made me feel things I didn’t understand, and I didn’t like it. The wheels on the cart squeaked as though to draw my attention, and I stopped in front of the door to his study, my expression returning to cool indifference.

Nicolo could not think he got under my skin, despite how heated I felt earlier. As I lifted my hand to knock, the door opened, revealing an annoyed older man who wore a grim expression. Recognition had my eyes narrowing on him immediately before I shook the thought away right as his eyes locked with mine. I bowed my head, taking a single step to the side, and waited, refusing to warrant him any further glance.

“Your servants should have more respect. How late with lunch did you plan to be? You failure of a woman.” I bit my tongue to prevent my reply, and let him continue. “The Boss should have his meal right at noon. How daft are you?”

“Giuseppe, old friend, don’t mind the maid. She’s new here. May have gotten lost!” I thanked him politely, to which Piero smiled and ushered me back into the office, along with the older man. “Boss, Lili is back with our lunch.”

“I see. Lili, will you prepare my plate?” I did not reply, only nodded, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “I’ll have your pick today.”

“Why is the Legit remaining?” The older man asked, but sighed. “Never mind. I already handled my business, so I must go. I’ll join your lunch another time.”

“But we never got to talk, so who was your business with?” Piero wondered, with a tilt to his head. “Could it be our maid here?”

My eyes widened, but I said nothing, refusing to speak until spoken to. There was no way they could have noticed my glance earlier, right? I knew there would be suspicion cast around me when my connection to the Accardi family was in question. The only option I had was to continue my silence until Nicolo questioned me himself. It made sense to play it by ear and give the best responses I can. Without them finding out who I really am.

I did not want him to misunderstand, so I glanced at him before looking down to continue his platemaking. I just saved his life earlier, so why would I want to kill him now? Especially with that spark between us. As much as I tried to deny it – the spark I felt with him – I knew I would struggle to kill him if I needed to. I could feel his gaze burning into my neck, but refused to meet his gaze in the presence of their guest.

Their guest… Was a high–risk flip, one my family often monitored. He would sell out the larger families to Interpol for money. The bigger the family, the harder the fallout. The last time this man was working through the families, he almost exposed my grandfather as the Accardi. It was why we held him at arms–length. I didn’t know he had any dealings with the Romanos. As the Accardi, I needed to be careful.

They knew of us the world over as the Coverers. A Mythical Mafia Family. The Protectors of the Underworld. But that was all that was available to the public about my family. Because of our position in this world, most governments bowed to our knowledge. We have even prevented wars in the past if it benefited us. The Accardi were a myth. Unfindable yet powerful. Strong, yet hidden away. My family hid in plain sight, and no one knew.

“She claimed to come from the Accardi family. Served the Princess herself.” Nicolo wondered with narrowed eyes. “Yet I cannot find any mention of a family by that name anywhere. Then she turned up. One would be curious.”

Giuseppe’s face paled as he stared up into my eyes before I gave him an imperceptive nod. Continue the farce. My eyes narrowed as the man swallowed before he bowed towards Don Romano. The exchange happened so quickly, Nicolo did not see it, so that made me feel better. He could not always see through my professionalism. If I could keep it up, I would finish in less than a week. Mostly thanks to Nicolo’s desire for me, but it was a win I would take.

“The Accardi are very real, Don Romano. And I recommend you not take them lightly.” Giuseppe replied in a serious tone. “And if they’ve sent one of theirs here, even if it’s a lowly maid, I strongly recommend caution.”