Maid for the Mafia by Jaylee

Enzo Conti

**ROMANY**

By the time I was showered and dressed in an old pair of jeans and a ratty sweatshirt, it was time for breakfast. Since Alex had yet to call for me to join the meeting, I assumed I might as well go downstairs and sate my hunger. Besides, I was eager to see Stella.

This time when I hit the first floor hallway, all I was met with were smiles and nods. It definitely put a bit of a spring in my step as I bounced toward the dining room. The only people who looked a bit wary were the guards. They watched me almost suspiciously, almost as if they blamed me for what happened to Gerald, one of their own.

I lifted my chin against the uncomfortable feeling I was getting from them and decided that the first chance I got, I would mention it to Damien. He was the head of Security after all, right? Right.

The moment I stepped into the dining room, a new sort of apprehensiveness found me. Stella wasn't in her usual seat.

Nope.

It was Enzo Conti.

*Fuck, fuck, fuck.* I didn't know by what design Alex would leave him to roam the halls of his house, *knowing* that I would undoubtedly expect to have breakfast and that *he* might be there... But whatever his thinking, he must not have been that concerned about it, because there he was.

when he spoke to

never once transgressing any lower than that. He stood up and pulled out a

said politely, careful to avoid his hands as I accepted

as if they were fighting for space. He was big. Not *tall*. but thick with heavy muscles. Like a bodybuilder, or a professional wrestler. It

He smiled at me from across the table as I began to load my plate. I decided to eat a bit lighter this time. If Damien was serious about me having to witness Gerald's last breath, I might not want to have a full stomach when they called for

commented, taking it upon himself to fill my glass with fresh juice. "Alexander can be"-he paused-"difficult

replied without meeting

of line and acted like an idiot. I should never have placed my hands on you." He shook his head at himself, almost as if ashamed. "In my defense, I had just received the news that my fiance had been found with another man and I was..." he trailed off, frowning, "not quite

at his plate and I actually found myself feeling a little sorry for him. He appeared so melancholy. Who knew that such a big brute like

out, she only loved the lifestyle I allowed her to live." He coughed as if to change the subject and said, "But still, there is no excuse for my behavior toward you

just a couple of zombie bites and an

Matthew and the way he manipulated me. "I understand.

mine,

smiled back and we continued to eat. The conversation turned toward simple things like what my favorite hobbies were and what sort of plans I had for the future. I began to feel almost as if I were conversing with an uncle or an old family friend. By the time we were finished eating, the pair of us were still sitting there, laughing about how when I first saw him upstairs, I