Page 117 of Mafia And Maid
“For trying with him. For just being you.”
Yet again, this woman slices me to my knees without even trying. To be seen as something other than some bloody-knuckled brute is rare—nonexistent, really—and yet, Rosa sees something.
I squeeze her tighter. I don’t know how to tell her what I want…
To tell her that I’d do anything in my power to keep her and Ethan with me forever. Even when I know they’re not mine to keep.
To tell her that I want her not just to warm my bed, but also for something else—something that would heal the broken and damaged bits of me.
The words lodge in my throat.
I’ll only fuck it up if I try.
Things are going so well right now. The thought of losing her or Ethan is enough to make me pause. To make me swallow the emotions bubbling inside me.
I won’t risk messing it up. Not until I know for sure that she feels the same way about me...
CHAPTER 29
ROSA
Frosting dots my cheeks, and the sweet smell of freshly baked cakes fills the calm night air of the kitchen.
The house is peaceful—in a way it isn’t during the day. Despite the quiet that seems to engulf the estate while the Marchianos are busy doing whatever underhanded deals need to be made or taking care of their businesses, the house still feels lived in and bustling. But now, at two in the morning, it’s a different kind of quiet. One that used to unsettle me, but now only brings a soft sense of belonging.
We are safe here.
Camillo and his brothers make sure of it.
I’m in their debt for something I can’t possibly pay them back for, ever. But this is a small step in the right direction, as insignificant as it feels. A smile tugs at my mouth as I finish scripting the frosting across the top of the cake.
The large island in front of me is covered with cupcakes in various flavors. I know better than to bake the favorite flavor for only one of the brothers. It’s childish how they fight and pout over it, but it’s alsoharmless—I’ve learned a lot about these terrifying men since I started working here.
After everything they’ve given Ethan and me, the least I can do is bake a birthday cake.
The clock down the hall chimes loudly, and I stifle a yawn. Swiping the back of my hand to my forehead, smearing more frosting there, I admire my handiwork. The mount of dishes looms behind me, reminding me of what staying up so late has produced. But it’ll be worth it to see the surprise once everyone is up.
Ethan’s tiny body is curled up on the bench of the breakfast nook, fast asleep. He didn’t want to go to sleep without me upstairs with him, but he soon fell asleep when I tucked him up on the cushions with his stuffed bear and a warm blanket.
A yawn escapes from me as I continue to, as quietly as possible, clean up the mess I’ve made. If I can finish soon, I can still get a few good hours of sleep without anyone the wiser.
As quickly as I can, I wipe down the counter, having hidden the surprise birthday cake in the pantry for the morning.
It’s the closing door that alerts me that Camillo is finally back from whatever assignment he was given to deal with. We don’t talk about that often. It’s not my business to poke and prod him when he comes back, lips drawn into a grim line or exhaustion etched into his features, his knuckles almost always sporting some kind of fresh bruises and blood.
I know he thinks I don’t see it or notice. But my eyes are wide open to the darkness that swallows him whole. Yet, he doesn’t scare me the way Grayden’s violence always did.
My lips tug up into a smile. Beneath that hard exterior is something vulnerable only I can see. It’s revealed in flashes here and there—something broken that fits perfectly with all my own jagged pieces.
“Rosa?”
I straighten, putting the spatula back in the drawer before turning to face him.
“What are you doing up?”
“Ethan couldn’t sleep,” I lie smoothly, hoping he won’t see through it or the frosting crusted along my hairline, and hoping that for once, myvoice doesn’t falter. “I got him a glass of hot milk. I was just cleaning up.”
I can feel his body heat even before his arms encircle my body from behind. His distinct sandalwood scent fills my nose, and I lean further back. He pulls me closer, breathing in deeply. The way he clings to me mends something within me I can’t quite understand.