Maid for the Mafia by Jaylee

The Race is On

**SANTOS**

"We're here."

I nod, signaling for my driver to wait a moment while I gaze down at my treasure for what may very well be the final time. It's entirely possible that she won't be the one who comes after Romany at all - not fucking likely - but the possibility does exist, and I refuse to leave her without telling her how I feel. Even if she can't hear me.

"Mi Reina," I whisper, lifting her higher into my arms so that I can kiss her sleeping lips. My mouth feathers across hers and I draw in a deep breath, savoring the unique essence of everything she is, the feel of her silky tendrils against my cheeks, the achingly soft thud of her heartbeat close to mine. I shudder, placing my lips on her ear, "I will take your cousin tonight, but I swear on everything I am, *I will not harm her*. But *I will hold her* until the day you come back to me. There is something I did not tell you when you had that knife to my throat, something I need you to know... If it ever comes down to you or me, I'll choose you. I could never take your life the way you wanted to take mine. I should have told you the real reason I wanted you to join me, but I didn't. I will now." I leaned in closer, breathing her in and burying my face next to hers. "It is because, you... you are the only woman I could ever love and if I see you again, you will know it." My words choke off so suddenly I fear I'm in danger of actual tears and I hold her away from me, handing her off to one of my men. "Remember to leave the phone number on her so that they know who to call."

"Yes, boss."

I watch him from the parking lot as he delivers my queen inside, only giving the signal to leave when I receive a text from one of my spiders that just so happens to work in this particular urgent care. With a smile of satisfaction I transfer her usual fee time three into her account. The reason for her tip - which is not really a tip at all - is simple, as it triggers a number of consecutive actions. First and foremost, Ruby just became that much more important to the entire ER staff on duty tonight, and no one that isn't Alex DeMarco will be getting in to retrieve her. Not even myself. The tripled fee is a form of communication, a trigger if you will, a button that when pressed ignites a very intricate protocol, one that will be followed and executed down to a T.

As we drive away from the hospital, I close my eyes and smile.

*I'm really doing this. I'm really going to risk everything for the love of a woman. God help me. Who have I become?*

Flipping my phone open, I dial Ruby's cousin.

She answers on the first ring. "Hello? Who's this?"

"Good evening Miss Romany. I hope you are ready for the next steps."

A quick sigh, "Yes."

received

"I did."

with

"Would it matter?"

to laugh.

"No, no issues."

reply. "I trust you have it

she confirms.

done precisely in the order they were presented to you, your men outside of

"Yes," she snaps.

time

the book, nel5s.com is where the

for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Nine thirty-five," she says

after finding out that Mickey

You mean

his rooms bug free at all times, which is one quality

basically whenever you can't hear me, you

phone, I am going to need you to step out onto his balcony. You will find a gift

them open, the moment she steps

car.

I say.

me, but I watch as she grabs the small, black case off