Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“I want you to call me or text me the second you get there. How are you supposed to get there, by the way?”
“That’s the other part.”
“What?”
“Monday through Thursday I’ll stay in a staff room and then come home on the weekend.” I scrunch up my face, waiting for her to screech.
“What? You’ll be a live-in maid?” She doesn’t disappoint.
“Yeah. People have those.”
“I suppose some people do, but you’re young and beautiful.”
I roll my eyes. “You think I’m going to be seduced or something?”
“No, but it just sounds too good to be true.”
“Just trust me to handle myself like an adult.”
“Fine, but if it doesn’t work out, I don’t care how much it pays. You’re quitting.” Where is January when I need her? She’d see the positive in the job for sure. That girl has an adventurous spirit.
“Yes, Mother.” She frowns, and then I feel guilty. May’s been looking after me, putting her education and life on hold for me since our parents died almost four years ago. It’s been extremely hard for her to raise me and give up on her dreams, losing her only boyfriend because he couldn’t wait for her to have time for him.
I still feel guilty about that. She’s been lonely and stressed, working endlessly between school and her job to feed and clothe us. The least I could do was finally get a decent job. I don’t start college until the fall, so I have some time.
Preparing for tomorrow, I selected some leggings and a decent polo top. The attire only said for cleaning and nothing provocative. This didn’t scream slutty. It screamed nerdy, which is what I attempted to be, although I couldn’t hold a candle when it came to my sister. She was brilliant and talented. Most would say I was average. Nothing to write home about, and that’s what I’ll go dressed as.
After I have my outfit picked out for tomorrow, I pack my small carryon suitcase and a duffle for my temporary room at the estate I’ll be working at. When I’m done, I set it down by the door and do my best to relax. All I care about is the fat paycheck I’ll get at the end of the week.
Chapter Three
Alessio
He couldn’t help himself and had to mess with June. I knew it was best to wait for her to come out. Slowly, I ducked behind a car while Michael waited by the nearest alley and snatched the fucker with a pop to the back of the neck.
I rushed over to him and dragged the limp prick out of sight. Then with a couple of kicks to his ribs, I leaned in and pulled out my knife. Pinching his mouth, it opened and I divested him of his filthy tongue. “That’s for speaking to women like you do.”
I stepped on his fingers, hearing the crunch of the bones. “That’s for touching what doesn’t belong to you. Come near June again, I’ll end your life.” With a final touch, Michael and I left that fucker in a dumpster to be found by the next person to toss their trash. He was still alive, but he’d have a hard time speaking without his tongue and writing with his broken fingers. The entire drive, a sense of anger and tension builds up in me. Getting my hands dirty is nothing—someone dirtying June bothered me.
I’d rather go home, but I have matters to discuss with Dario, so we go to his part of the estate. My home is a quarter mile down the path and about a fourth the size of his.
As we step out of the vehicle in front of Dario’s entryway, Dario comes from the side with his two German Shepherds, Max and Greta. “Alessio, it’s good to see you back. How did the meeting at the agency go?” He looks at my suit, noticing the spots of blood.
“Good. The new maid will start tomorrow. She’ll be staying here because she doesn’t live close and doesn’t have reliable transportation.”
“Okay. Any concerns about her?” he asks without a hint of suspicion, but I won’t be able to hide it from him when she finally arrives.
Scrunching my face slightly, I confess, “She’s a little young, but that’s it. Nothing to worry about. She’ll be warned to stay away.”
“Good. I don’t want trouble like the last one. If I want her, she’ll know. Please inform Mrs. Ricci about her and then meet me in my office.” He takes his dogs, calling them to follow as he heads inside the house. They are the biggest reason for needing a maid. Between the shedding and their large frames, they can make a mess easily.
Something about his response makes me bristle. “If he wants her, she’ll know.” What the fuck? I hadn’t even considered that I would put myself in competition with him the second I offered to hire her. Maybe he’ll ignore her like he does every single female in existence.