Maid for the Mafia by Jaylee

A little breakfast cocktail...

**ROMANY**

When Tiny and Mickey left my suite for a quick shower and a change of clothes, I allowed myself to weaken, but just a little. The carafe of coffee that Tiny left for me was now empty and with the new surge of caffeine firing in my blood, more and more of what happened last night found its way into my head.

"Oh my God!!!" I screamed into the throw pillow on my sofa.

I was angry, I was upset, I was... *sore!* But I didn't like them looking at me like I was some... victim. Because I've been the victim before! I *was* the girl that the hot college professor took advantage of and manipulated! I *was* that young innocent *fool* who was sexually assaulted and then groomed into believing that what happened to her was a natural thing, a *normal* thing. I promised myself on the day that Matthew showed his true colors, that I *would never* be that girl again. That no matter *what* became of me, or *who* tried to use me, I wouldn't leave myself vulnerable... I wouldn't become their prey. This time, I'm not going to just fade away like some dark secret pushed into a skeleton closet. That bastard Enzo is going to get *all the disrespect* I can give him and I don't mean to miss even one opportunity to show him how much he disgusts me.

The memory of how unbelievably hot I was last night, how *thirsty* I was - is enough to cause my skin to flush red. There were marks on my thighs and my breasts. My hips had two sets of handprint bruises pointed in different directions. There were hickeys on the backs of my shoulders and a few down my spine. Jumping into the shower with an angry yell, I allowed the cold spray to pound down on me with the pressure on full blast. I stayed there, cleansing myself under the ice cold of the torrential rain until I was gasping for breath and my skin had completely cooled.

Selecting a modest, yet seductive burgundy jumpsuit from my new and improved closet, I got dressed, towel dried my hair, slipped on a pair of elegant gold sandals and was ready by the time I heard Mickey step back into my suite. "Doll," he began warily, his eyes glued to mine as I approached. "Are you absolutely sure you can handle this? Because I'm warning you right now-"

minute that any threat you make will keep me from treating that pig *exactly like* the disgusting, repulsive, *desperate* mongrel that he is??? Then *I'm* warning *you*"-I poked him, leaving my fingernail burrowed in his chest as I finished-" there

played over his lips as he reached up and gently clasped the finger that was prodding his chest. Without breaking eye contact, he raised it up to his mouth and

scent of his aftershave. "Was that if I see even one tear leave your beautiful eyes, or even a slight droop in your elegant shoulders?" He lifted my chin, stroking his thumb back and forth under the line of my jaw. "If for even one minute it starts to look like you're losing control of your emotions? Or... if he says something - *anything* - that puts out that fire in your eyes, then I suggest that you close them... because you won't want to see what it does to me." I shivered, the heat of his jewel-like gaze promising violence. "You won't

gasp, my lashes fluttering low as my skin tingled. "You don't know that," I admitted. "That might be exactly what I want

and opening the door for

the dining room, I noticed two things that caused an immediate break in my steps. One - *Stella* was sitting in Alex's seat! *The fucking nerve of that harpy? Who does she think she is? Me?* And two - Tiny was seated to Enzo's right and the pair of them were laughing it up about *God* knew what.

dipped in next to my ear from behind me.

lips met in a chaste kiss. His head jerked

smile, then I leaned a little further in his direction and kissed him again. This time I came away with his lower

back around, plastered my best *'Romany is only here for the food'* look on my face and stepped into the snake pit. Keeping my eyes neutral, I went straight for Stella's regular seat, putting myself on her immediate left and directly across from Enzo. Needless to say, all laughter in the room

and whispered, "Can I get a little Vodka in