Maid for the Mafia by Jaylee

You Don't Need Me

**ROMANY**

"Ten minutes isn't long enough for us to get dressed," I said quietly to Simone as we wrapped ourselves in our robes.

"No," she agreed. "It's not."

"So then follow me," I said determinedly.

We entered the house through the dining room doors and pitter pattered toward the front of the house with my head on swivel as I watched for Alex. I had no idea which way he went after I left him in the gym and although I was fairly certain

he headed upstairs, I couldn't be sure. So my heart remained thumping wildly even after we passed through the main hallway and approached the front doors. The guards all gazed at us curiously but none of us deigned to stop us as we stepped out front.

My eyes went straight to the black stretch limo parked out front. *Noice...*

With a mischievous smile aimed at Simone, I urged her forward, fairly shoving her into the backseat ahead of me.

"Whoa," Tiny's voice cut through the mayhem as I tumbled in after her. "What the fuck are you two doing in here?"

I smiled, shuffling onto one of the very backseats just behind the glass divider where I was sure not to be visible from the open back door. After a moment Simone joined me, laughing as we huddled together in our robes. "This is going to be a blast," she said. "God it's been so long since I've had *any* fun. I'm so glad we met!"

"Me too!" I said, grabbing her in a hug.

"Hey!" Tiny exclaimed, shifting toward us. "You know I'm all for your company, Romany, babygirl, but what the fuck do you think you're doing?"

I grinned at him just as the back door opened again and Mickey slid in, "They'll never make it and we have to go. Damn it, I knew better than to tease myself with-"

"We're here," I said, cutting him off.

eyes off of mine he picked up the telephone to talk to the driver. "Go now," he said.

throwing a smirk my way. "I'm going to start

the car shot into motion.

the outfit, doll. I wondered how you were

a mile from the gates and Alex is going

said smoothly. "I have no doubt whatever

seemed... weaker somehow. Almost like he was in... *No Romany, no. Alex loves no one. Least of all you, the

"We're going on a plane?" *Oh shit. I didn't

It beats driving two hours. It also

okay then," I teased, absorbing

worry," Mickey said. "I can provide you ladies with clothing once

days," he said into the phone, telling who it was right away. "It's too late to bring her back. We're nearly to the airport, Alex." He paused and although I couldn't hear what was being said, I could tell by the way Mickey moved the phone back that Alex was yelling. "I'll let her know," Mickey said, then hung

Simone's frightened eyes even as my

*Damn it.*

out already knowing who it

Alex-

wait until you are back here. I am going to punish you so severely. You have no idea. But if you tell Mickey to bring you back here now, I will excuse this momentary lapse of judgment. I might even

Me-

but Mickey says it's too late to come back. I'll see you in a couple

Alex-

back here now or your friend is

Me-

she's fired

Alex-

you of many things, but I'm warning you, you are pushing me to the