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.

in search of Simone when he spoke to me,

steady on my face, never once transgressing any lower than that. He stood up and pulled out a chair for me, gesturing for me to have

said politely, careful to avoid his

steps, the bulk of muscles behind his expensive suit that looked as if they were fighting for space. He was big. Not *tall*.

clipped, and his short beard neatly manicured in a style that literally made him look like the fucken devil. 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

see that you're still in one piece," Enzo commented, taking it upon himself to fill

I replied

that entire day. I was out 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,

as he stared at his plate and I actually found myself feeling a little sorry for him. He appeared so melancholy. Who knew that

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

harshly... just a couple of zombie bites and an

of Matthew and the way he

eyes toward mine, he smiled gratefully. "Thank

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