Page 76 of Mafia And Maid

“It wasn’t trouble at all. Really.”

The sincerity on his face melts me even more. Those flutters turn into a hurricane, and my stomach swoops as I squeeze my legs tight. “I’d still like to pay you back. Please.”

“Just keep making those cupcakes and all the meals, and we’ll call it even.”

I purse my lips, although I can’t help a smile spreading across my face. Whatever he says, I’m still going to find a way to pay him back every cent.

“Go on and look through it. The associate at the store said it should all fit, but if it doesn’t, we’ll return it and get the right size.” His voice is soft, barely above a whisper, meant just for me to hear—a tenderness creeping in that he’s only letting me see.

“Thank you,” I exhale.

The corner of his lip kicks up, and I can’t help matching it with a shy smile of my own. I turn and gently guide Ethan toward the bags and boxes. I’ll find a way to pay him back. To show him how much this means to Ethan…and to me.

***

I knock at the office door to let the men know that dinner is ready. They troop in and take their seats at the dining table.

Dinner is pretty much a repeat of breakfast with Ethan barely looking up and being too nervous to eat. But at the end of the meal, I have to say something before the men leave. “Thank you—all of you,” I say quietly. “For letting me bring Ethan here and for everything you did today for us.”

Marco gives me a nod before pushing his chair back and heading with Alessio toward the office.

Camillo’s dark eyes lock on mine.

And my throat runs dry.

Something lingers in his gaze, but I can’t quite pinpoint what I’m seeing. Warmth and something else...

***

I’ve just tucked Ethan in when I hear a noise from somewhere in the house.

All the men are out, and they said they wouldn’t be back until much later.

And that can mean only one thing:someone’s in the mansion who shouldn’t be.

My heart starts to race.

I need to ring for help.

But my phone’s in the kitchen.

Should I stay hidden up here?

Should I just hope that whoever it is doesn’t come into this room?

Will the guards come before the intruder gets me?

Oh God, what do I do?

I snatch up Ethan’s bear for some reason—he’s comforting. And I tiptoe back to my bedroom to get some sort of weapon.

But I can’t find anything that looks useful. And I just grab the nearest thing.

I take a deep breath. And I step back into the hallway to get to a phone. I need to ring Camillo. Or ring the guards.

But as I turn the corner, I run intohim.

His gun is pointed at me.