A lump grew in my throat, and my eyes widened in both fear and shock.
“You will apologize to me at once, and you must be as quiet as a mouse,” he whispered with severity in his tone. “Got it?”
I nodded, gripping my towel tight, hating the way my heart galloped because of the close proximity between our bodies.
He let go of my mouth, and I pressed my lips together, tilting my head to stare at the floor.
“I'm sorry, sir,” I apologized, and my stomach clenched in fear. Zaverio had never been this stern with me.
His alcoholic breath fanned my face, and I pressed my back harder against the wall, wishing it would open up and take me.
“You've grown so beautiful,” he said in a roguish voice, gripping a handful of my hair. “Damn, I missed you.”
I gulped, trembling.
Who had Zaverio become? He wasn't the sweet teenager I used to sneak out to the waterfall with.
His hand drifted to my neck, sending electric shocks down my spine. “Why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you miss me?”
“You're my boss. I can't talk back,” I answered. “And how can you miss someone you do not have any memories of?”
He sighed, withdrawing his hand from my neck. He pinched my chin and lifted my head to meet his gaze.
“Look, I didn't mean to scare you. I was just stressed from the journey, and all I wanted to do was to spend time with a beautiful woman, my beautiful woman,” he spoke Softly, igniting a flame within me.
“What beautiful woman?” I eyed his nose, unable to look into his eyes.
“You,” he admitted, trailing his fingers up my cheek, stroking my earlobe.
“I thought you said you can not remember who I am,” I whispered.
“Come on, I just said that because I didn't want my mother to notice,” he announced, sounding convincing. “I missed you. I want us to catch up and spend sweet times like we used to.”
He leaned closer to my neck and ran a warm tongue over my skin. My grip around my towel almost loosened. I stifled a gasp. His teeth grazed my skin, and my core tightened with a pulsating need.
“Zaverio,” I called, gently pushing him off me. “I can't–”
“Look, I know you're upset because of how I acted earlier when I arrived, but you know why I did that. You know how furious mother can be,” he interrupted me, cupping my face, and resting his forehead against mine. “We have to keep this thing between us low-key.”
“Why do we have to keep seeing each other in secret? I thought this would stop once you return from Italy like you promised.” I searched his eyes for answers.
“Yes, but we have to lay low for now. I promise to let the world know about us soon,” he assured me, and after much thought, I hesitantly agreed.
“I got you a bracelet,” he announced. “But you have to kiss me first to get it.”
Excitement coursed through my veins. If he got me something, then he still loved and thought about me while in Italy. I grew giddy.
A blush peppered my cheeks, and I shyly peeked at him from over my lashes. He cocked his brows and flashed me a smug grin before wetting his lips.
“Kiss me,” he ordered, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“You kiss me,” I flirted, biting my bottom lip.
He pressed his lips against mine, and I kissed him back, suckling his bottom lip.
“Gosh! I've missed these soft lips so much!” I screamed in my head, adrenaline surging through my veins.
He roamed his fingers up my neck, wrapping his fingers around it and sending shivers down my spine.
A whimper flew out of my lips as he drifted his hand down my chest, teasing me.
“Alma!” I heard one of the male, house helps yelling my name from the other side of the door.
I jerked, breaking the kiss. My pulse raced, and I snapped my head in the door’s direction, and so did Zaverio.
“Alma!” He exclaimed, banging on the door.
“I'm–I’m naked!” I exclaimed breathlessly, hoping it would send him away.
“Oh. Mrs. Zaverio calls for you. Hurry up, she seems angry,” he announced.
“I'll be there soon,” I replied, and he left.
I tiptoed to the door, and leaned in to listen for sounds. Once I was certain he had left, I glanced at Zaverio, saying, “You have to leave before someone sees you here,” under my breath.
“Check if the coast is clear,” he said quietly, pointing at the door.
I rushed to put on an oversized gown, and then opened my room door. I first poked my head out, checking if there were maids around. The hall was empty.
I glanced over my shoulder, nodding at Zaverio. With that, he snuck out of my room.
****
After attending to Mrs. Zaverio, who only wanted me to make her tea, I returned to my room, unable to stop thinking about Zaverio. My lips throbbed. I could still feel his touch and kisses.
I smiled to myself as I put on my nightgown and straightened my dark hair, staring at the mirror, satisfied with what I saw. It was a silk material that hugged me in the right places, accentuating my curves.
“Let's finish what we started,” I said to my reflection.
I hummed in satisfaction, propping up my breasts, watching them spill out of the dress, leaving a beautiful sight of my cleavage.
“I hope this dazzles him,” I said to myself.
Walking out of my room, I felt a little nervous. I didn’t know how Zaverio would react.
What if he was asleep? I shrugged. If he was asleep, he'd wake up the moment I was in. He had always been a light sleeper, like a cat.
I gritted my teeth as the air grew chilly. Winter was obviously approaching. I tiptoed down the hallway leading to his room and reached his door.
My brows knitted into a frown when my ears picked up voices, and I could make out a female one.
My heart sank. Was he… I shook my head to dispel the negative thoughts. Maybe he was watching a movie.
Gently, I pushed open the door, and there, groaning, one of the house helps on top of him, riding him with her eyes closed in ecstasy.
My chest constricted around my heart, and I ran back to my room.
I slumped on my bed with a heavy heart. Tears spilled out of my eyes, and sobs wracked through me.
Our previous taskmistress was right, men were scum, and they did nothing more than serve innocent women like myself heartbreak on a scalding plate.
How could he do this to me?
The next morning, I stood in the kitchen, getting my work for the day done. My heart was heavy, and I couldn't stop the flashes of their naked bodies from flooding my head. The door to the kitchen opened, and I looked up from the breakfast I was preparing to see Zaverio standing there with a smile on his handsome face. I turned away, unable to bear the sight of him.I felt a venomous rage coursing through my veins, and it took everything in me not to lash out at him. How could he forget what we had as teenagers, when I gave myself to him completely? He had promised to come back for me, to marry me. But it was all a lie. His betrayal was like the sharp edges of a sword piercing through my heart. I couldn't look at him, couldn't stand the sight of his smile, his eyes, his face. Everything about him felt like a lie.“Please, don't come close, please don't,” I thought, but my prayers were unanswered as a huge hand landed on my shoulder and spun me around. "Don't touch me," I snarled,
My heart raced when the sound of the black sedan's engine dying outside signaled Zaverio's arrival. I gazed up from the novel I was reading and walked to the window. I watched him step out of the car, his hair disheveled. His eyes were tired, but his gaze was still piercing. Lifting his head, his gaze met mine, but I walked away from the window and returned to my seat. I didn't want to think about him, but my mind betrayed me. It conjured memories of our past encounters. Mrs. Riccardo's shrill voice yelling at a house help to get Zaverio something to drink followed. I rolled my eyes at how protective Mrs. Riccardo was of her son, considering how much of a rogue he had become. I tossed my book aside, my throat parched, and my belly craving a drink. I made my way to the kitchen, and downed myself a glass of juice.As I tiptoed back with the glass, my body collided with another, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through me, and a familiar scent rushed into my nostrils. Glancing up
My eyes fluttered open, and I caught sight of Zaverio dressing up, his broad back and shoulders a vivid reminder of the passion we'd shared just hours before. I pulled the sheets around me, my brows into a frown of confusion as I called out to him in a voice still laced with sleep. "Zaverio?" He paused, his movements suspended as he turned to face me with his chiseled jaw clenched and brows cocked up. "Where are you going?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly as I tried to read his expression. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of uncertainty, of an emotion I couldn't quite decipher, but it was quickly replaced by his usual confidence, his eyes turning cold. "Out," he said curtly, his voice low and husky. "I have business to attend to." I stared at him, my eyes locked on his orbs, searching for the truth behind his words. I didn't believe him, not entirely. There was something he wasn't telling me, but I didn't press the issue, not yet. Instead, I simply watched him, my hea
Zaverio's PoV I walked to the table, where my body lotion was situated, and I felt my mother's prying and inquisitive eyes on me. "What could you possibly be doing with a maid?" She asked, and I stood in front of my mirror, applying some lotion on my arm. "You tell me, Zaverio." I gritted my teeth, disliking my mother's persistent nature. "Answer me," She probbed, and I refrained from growling at her because she was my mother. I heaved a sigh, saying, "Nothing." "If you say nothing, then why do you talk to her?" Mother asked, and before I could answer, she threw another question at me, "Why do you look at her with an intensity in your eyes?" I spun to look at her with disbelief glinting in my eyes. A chuckle slipped out of my lips, and my shoulders shook in rhythm. "Mamma, are you for real?" I asked, and my brows knitted into a frown. "Alma is a good maid, and she is just my friend." Mother narrowed her eyes into slivers with her arms akimbo. "You can't be frien
Alma’s PoV I wandered from my room to the kitchen in a blind daze. My heart beat was steady in my chest but every strong pound was accompanied with a searing pain that left my mind numb. Did I hear Zaverio well yesterday? Maybe my ears were playing tricks on me. I shook my head, cursing myself under my breath was being weak and vulnerable. I was the one who laid myself bare to him, I practically confessed my undying love whenever he was close to me. But to him I was nothing but a… mere maid. I closed my eyes and placed a palm on my chest, why did it hurt? It was the truth and maybe if I started living it, my daydreams would fizzle and die out. “What are you doing?” I jumped, holding back a frail squeak. “Nothing, I was trying to catch my bearing- I have a silly headache.” I shut my mouth when I realized I was rambling off. The taskmaster didn’t look worried, he simply didn’t care. “You need to pick up the dress Mrs. Riccardo is going to use for the party.” I nodded as I walked
Alma’s PoV The party was still in full swing by the time I returned and I accepted the tray a fellow maid handed to me. My face stung but I didn’t dare touch my face and lose concentration or god forbid bump into anyone. I also didn’t look past anyone’s shoulders; my eyes were pinned to the ground to avoid any distractions. I felt a couple of eyes on my back and my body heated up and cooled when I realized the second pair was Mrs. Riccardo’s. Her eyes thinned when I looked at her, and I snapped my head forward, scolding myself for moving contrary to the promise I had made to myself. The unknown woman who had slapped my hand away was still hanging on Zaverio’s arm like a monkey. I refused to break another rule so I strengthened the walls around my heart, weaving through the crowd like a ballerina. At a point my body began to move on its own, while the rest of me disconnected. My feet were killing me but I had gotten one strike this evening and had managed to escape by chance or lu
Alma’s PoV I sneezed into my elbow and sniffled, rubbing a finger under my cold nose. Walking under the rain was a wrong decision but there was no use thinking about the past, what I was reaping now was the consequence of my action. Sneezing once more, I took deep breaths praying this was all to it. Mrs. Riccardo would probably kill me if I sneezed around her and I couldn’t afford any pay cut from my salary. Falling sick was also not an option; nothing except doing my job perfectly was an option. I worked my nose every which way until I was sure it was safe for me to step out of my room, I slapped my face as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks stung but they had a healthy red color instead of the deathly pale one that had been sitting there. I winced with every step I took, favoring my right leg to ease the burn from the cuts I had sustained on my left foot. Luckily, when she was sane enough to take stock of her body, the wound had been cleared; there was no debris s
ALMA’S POV It had been a long painful week after the event that occurred in the dining hall. Mrs. Riccardo made sure to punish the staff and I ignored all the evil eyes sent in my direction. It was the only way to make it through the day without bursting into tears. All kinds of relationships were frowned upon in the Riccardo's estate. I had seen one too many couples sent packing after being discovered by the all seeing eye of the estate; Mrs. Riccardo. There had also been a few whose contracts had been terminated due to a blossoming friendship. It made the huge house dull and cold, but Mrs. Riccardo loved misery; and it always needed company. I stopped scrubbing the kitchen for a minute, wiggling my toes and wincing when I felt a painful tingle. I had been on my knees for hours, doing the chore no one wanted to do. It was a unanimous opinion that I was the cause of Mrs. Riccardo’s raging mood. I didn’t argue; there was no use. Letting out a silent breath I moved my body back t
ALMA’S POVGio drove for hours, and I busied myself with the city I knew breezing by. I smiled at a few familiar places, burying the heaviness in my heart. There was no time for melancholy, this was my new life and I didn’t have a choice but to face it.My initial plan to call Zaverio flew to the back of my mind, because I knew that was what they were expecting. Gio may try to pose as a soldier for justice but living with Zaverio had tainted my naïve mind.Good people weren’t always good and bad people weren’t always bad, it all depended on the side you saw and when. The federal agents of who knows what agency knew I was innocent but they didn’t care about me because I was useless to their case.If I was ever captured by the police, the evidence needed to clear my name would never see the light of day and the likes of Damien and Gio would go to bed and sleep like a baby.My heart burned when I thought of Nadine, and how painfully she must have died. She had saved me so many times beca
ALMA’S POV“Just like that?” I eyed the woman sitting across from me, not buying the bullshit she was selling to me. “You are telling me I can walk out the door if I want to.”Gio crossed her long legs, and leaned into her chair. “I am telling you that you’re a free woman. I do apologize for our poor accommodation.”“You locked me up for a month without access to a lawyer; you should be apologizing for more than your shitty accommodation.” “It could have been worse; you could have had a roommate. Do you know how many pregnant women survive in prison?” Gio smacked her lips when she took a sip of her hot coffee. “Our evidence is weak, if the state was to take you to court, all the evidence would be inadmissible.”“You knew all of this and kept me against my will, why? Did you think I was going to break and beg for a plea deal or something?”Gio nodded unapologetically. “Or something? Agent Damien assured me you had something we all wanted, if we kept you for a while then maybe you woul
ALMA’S POVThe familiar three grey wall and a steel bar door was what I had called home for the past one month, judging by the lines I had drawn on the walls. I struck a line over six lines marking another week.My bladder protested weakly pulling me out of my cavewoman thoughts and I threw my leg over the bed, and pushed myself up, holding my bump. I walked the three steps to my in house toilet and sat.The worst part about my new home was how fast my dignity was shattered. I had tried to save some, but eventually I bowed to the intense pressure in this hell hole. I hadn’t seen Gio or Damien since the last time we spoke.The guard who brought food for me every day ignored me every time I asked about them or to make a phone call. Maybe Zaverio didn’t know where I was, and if I helped even in the smallest capacity, I knew he was going to come for me.“You look mighty comfortable on that disgusting toilet.” Damien’s chirpy voice broke through my thoughts, grinding my happy moments to du
ZAVERIO’S POVIt had been three days. Three days since my home base was invaded by a rat, and three days since Alma was taken. My fingers tightened around the gun I was holding in my lap as I watched Gored spit out another tooth.Von flexed his hands, looking back at me. “Is that enough boss?” Nothing was ever going to be enough for traitors. I waved my hand and stood, walking slowly to the man who was now missing one eye. “I thought we had a great agreement Gored. You said you wanted out, and I gave you a clean way out. No one will ever take that risk but I did because of your sick mother, so why did you betray me?”Gored kept his eye level with mine, “I didn’t have a choice, I would never betray you if they didn’t have something on me.”“Why didn’t you come to me?” I squatted, tapping his kneecaps with my gun. “If the feds were sniffing up the wrong alley, why didn’t you try to reach me?”“They broke into my home one night and dragged me out in front of my mother. There was this gu
TIA’S POVMy hands and legs ached, but there was nothing I could do about it because I was handcuffed to a chair. The room was bright and a cup of water had been placed in front of me hours ago, a taunting line that stung.If they were expecting me to beg, we were going to wait here for a long time. I licked my dry lips and swallowed, looking away from the tempting bottle in front of me. I was never going to break; Zaverio was going to come for me.The door opened, and a woman walked in. She took one look at me and sighed. “Jesus Christ, Damien. Did they not teach you how to handle pregnant victims?”“Unfortunately, we weren’t taught and she’s not a victim.” Damien walked in behind her, staring at me in disgust. “I want this meeting to be brief so please don’t waste our time and tell us what we want to know.”“I don’t have anything to say to you.” I shivered under his harsh gaze, “Can I get a lawyer? I need to talk to someone.”“Then you can talk to me.” The woman smiled warmly, unloc
DAMIEN’S POVI wiped the sweat off my forehead, mentally counting the men that were on night shift. The numbers were light and I wondered about my luck. Zaverio and his dogs had left earlier not telling anyone where they were going.I wanted to kit up with them, and to also get closer to Zaverio, gain his trust and maybe kill him in in his sleep. I didn’t run with the eagerness of the others because this was a golden chance.My target was Alma, and with Zaverio guarding her like a dog every day, it had been hard to get close to her. The bitch had started keeping her distance after our last conversation.No one knew the connection between Alma and Zaverio, but I watched them exchange loved up glances, and one time I caught them kissing in the kitchen. My stomach roiled and I realized she was not a victim, she was his ally.My plan was to appeal to her with the route of escaping this hell hole, but the little birdy was comfortable in her cage. That was sad because I had every intention
ZAVERIO’S POV“You look like you sucked on a lemon.” Von flexed his fingers in his dark latex gloves, “I didn’t force you to come, you should have stayed home with your woman.”I released a grunt, looking out into the night. “Alvaro is our man; it also boosts the morale of my men when I walk into battle with them. It’s a tricky situation, but I don’t think we can get out of it without bloodshed.”“No one likes killing cops, but anyone who worked with Favelo is rotten. I’ll sleep better at night when they’re no longer walking on the same earth with me.”“How are we looking up there?” I asked, referring to the snipers we had placed in strategic positions facing the house we intended to burst into. I hoped it wasn’t a trap because this was the only lead we had.“Last time I checked in, they confirmed the position of the house and the guards outside. They have cops written all over their body and they are not being subtle about their hideout.”“I used to be feared.” I laughed, checking th
ALMA’S POVVon whistled when I stepped out, struggling with the picnic basket. “If I wasn’t married to a woman who would shoot me between the eyes if I ever looked at another woman, I would have escorted you wherever you were going.”I laughed at his good natured joke, letting him take the basket off my hands. “I have a feeling your wife will live up to the hype of shooting you. I am not going anywhere fancy, as if I could.” I swallowed the bitter ball of reality. “Zaverio said he wants us to eat watching the stars.”“Somehow I can’t imagine my friend saying something like that.” Von peeped into the basket. “I’ll ask if I’m invited on this little excursion, you both can do whatever and forget I’m there.”My face heated at his insinuation. “Nothing like that is going to be happening, we are going to eat and head back.”“Is that why you wore this pretty dress?” Von eyed my yellow sundress. “Isn’t it too fancy to sit in the dirt and eat apples?”“I’m not going to let you get in my head,
ALMA’S POVZaverio didn’t give me a minute to catch my breath ever since we returned from Von’s home. He doted on me like a mother hen, following me everywhere and effectively cutting off the frequent visit of Damien.I was not complaining, but I needed my space from the man who had suddenly noticed me for the first time. It was beautiful to have his attention, but the intense pressure burned through my veins.What did he want? Was he going after me to relieve himself? I wouldn’t be shocked by that tactic, I was in a horny zone as well; easy pickings if he tried a little.I was ready to be attended to by the only man I had ever loved, but I didn’t want to seem easy. Zaverio was used to having his way, never needing to lift a finger when it came to women, myself included.“Did I see Damien in here?” Zaverio poked his head into the kitchen, looking around. “Are you okay?”“Respectfully, I need you to give me some space.” I glared at him, taking my eyes off the onions I was chopping; whi