The Maid: Mafia Romance (Series)

Sweet Seduction

Giovanni looked up at the signboard of his exclusive establishment. With a smirk upon his lips, he read what was written on it. “Welcome to the Gentlemen’s Club.”

What a perfect name for a club. Gentlemen only. No bullfighting crap.

Giovanni tapped his walking stick twice and walked through the entrance at an elegant pace. A man of twenty took his outer coat and top hat, and then escorted him into the club.

Giovanni knew today he was dressed to the max. A black bowtie, crisp white shirt, and an Armani suit. His hair was done up with thick waves covering his eyes. In his briefcase was the document Giuseppe gave him. And he’d read it.

Rocco Bianchi. Wow. What a small world. Who would have thought the man who cursed him to die on the streets would be the one who would be asking for a loan from him?

Giovanni wasn’t that cruel to the man who’d brought him up, despite the physical abuse he’d endured throughout his younger years. But he also wanted to satisfy his ego by seeing that man beg. Oh, the anticipation was unbearable. Victory was almost here after fourteen years. He could almost taste it.

Giovanni scanned his surroundings the minute he set foot inside the private club. It was a low-lit atmosphere, but he’d been here so many times before, he could recognize all his staff.

Giovanni walked to a very secluded spot only the top VIP guests could make use of. He sat down in one of the plush chairs, resting his walking stick beside him.

He sighed and closed his eyes, his head slumping back against the large cushion. His thoughts returned to yesterday’s events.

He shouldn’t have blown up. It wasn’t his minions’ fault they couldn’t get the money from old geezer Hermit. But after three consecutive tries, they all came back with goose eggs.

The subject matter of how to approach Rocco Bianchi was still bogging his mind. And then Jay had to add fuel to his already burning flames with her annoying scrubbing.

Jay.

Since she was a permanent fixture in his life, he felt different. Yes, his life had turned topsy-turvy. Yes, she’d caused him to have these weird feelings and lustful thoughts, but he couldn’t understand why he didn’t just kill her off or fire her for that matter. The three million dollars was a sham. He didn’t care about it. He had more sharks to take care of. But he found he enjoyed her company. Like when she was in the bathtub with him or feeding him. They were such enjoyable moments.

But he’d realized quite recently his mind had filtered out the memory of his dear friend Jennifer. He’d forgotten his little friend, who’d saved his life of pain and misery, that one little friend who made him feel all warm and cozy all those years ago.

Giovanni should feel guilty. But he didn’t. Even when he tried to force himself to, all his mind could conjure up was Jay’s face.

He still had his eyes closed, his long, black waves covering a portion of his face, his mind deep in thought, when he felt a soft bottom deposited on his lap. Another woman from the gentleman’s club, he suspected.

Giovanni was about to open his eyes and tell the woman off, that he didn’t want any company tonight, when said woman whispered something in his ear, making his whole body freeze up.

“Handsome boy. Are you hurt?”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Jennifer. Oh fuck, this was Jennifer. That was what she had said when she first saw him sitting underneath that beech tree in National Park.

Giovanni was bogged with emotions, a thousand questions racing through his mind. He wanted to cry, to laugh. But he was also scared of finding out what his Jennifer would look like after all this time.

But it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter one fucking bit what she looked like because she’d always been there for him in his time of need, and that was what made her so special to him. She was there to comfort him and made time fly when he was at his most depressed.

Trepidation ripped through him. Blood roared in his ears. And he had a hard-on the instant that soft bottom hit his thighs, that silky voice whispering in his ear.

Giovanni tried hard to subdue his manhood, clenching his teeth and breathing evenly, but he was just too excited.

He opened his eyes slowly and saw emerald irises, almond-shaped eyes, long, thick lashes painted dark with mascara, light freckles dusting that small button nose, and red juicy lips made for kissing.

Giovanni put all those small beautiful features together until his brain could comprehend the whole face. And then he sucked in his breath, his body frozen in shock, because staring right back at him with twin red-blotched cheeks was the one woman he never imagined seeing here.

“Wow, Jenny, you look hot.” Finnie complimented my looks as soon as I stepped out of the changing room in a highly established boutique.

I smirked, twirling around the four guys for added effect. “I know, right? I do look hot. Even I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror.”

This outfit really put my best assets forward. My beautiful breasts were thrust out, showing nice cleavage down the front. The red dress complimented my ivory skin. My hair was styled on the side, ringlets falling in wisps. And adding in red heels, too, I was the devil’s daughter, out to carve out any man’s heart.

I couldn’t help laughing myself silly. If Amelia or Pa were to see me now, they’d no longer think I was plain. And I was sure Mr. Hermit would feel the same way, giving up all his cash just for a chance to kiss my hand.

Heath looked me up and down at that moment, rubbing his neck in agitation. His action made me a teeny bit nervous. Was I not up to his standard?

“What is it, Heath? Am I not fit enough for this character?”

“I don’t know, Jenny. There’ll be many people about. I hope you can pull this off.”

“Yeah. I say she can pull this off.” Bobby defended me. “I’m going in there, Heath. I’ll look after her. You guys just make sure to protect us.”

That was our plan. Bobby and I would go in as mistress and butler. My job was to persuade Mr. Hermit to part with the amount of the debt he owed the boss through my sweet, seductive charm.

Although I’d never acted before to save my life, I knew I could pull this off. I had to. To gain Giovanni’s trust. This way, maybe he’d reduce Pa’s debt.

Bracing myself in the backseat, we all drove back to the Gentlemen’s Club. And now here I stood, facing that very same building. I only hoped Mr. Hermit was still inside.

Bobby and I proceeded in as planned. Bobby hissed in my ear as I walked into the dim room. “Look for the old man with a cane. He’s always with his walking stick.”

I nodded and walked around, gliding gracefully like a swan, my bottom swaying left and right for added seductive effect. It was pretty quiet. I couldn’t make out people’s faces at all. But then again, I didn’t need to look for faces. I needed to look for a single walking cane. And I found it.

I smiled slyly and expertly slid my bottom onto that lap. Mr. Hermit’s body went rigid. He looked totally different under the low light. His hair was messy, covering his face.

I wound my arms around his neck and whispered into his ear, “Handsome boy, are you hurt?”

Gee, where did I learn that line? It sure came to me easily.

Mr. Hermit flicked his head up, meeting my eyes.

I gasped when those deep raven eyes locked with mine, with hunger, and-

“Giovanni!” Recognition slammed into me.

I leaped out of his lap, but Giovanni caught my wrist, swinging me back to him.

“Jay, what are you doing here?” he growled, arms wound tightly around my waist.

“Boss, let me go.” I tried loosening his hold, struggling and peeling off his fingers, but he wouldn’t let go. “Boss, please, you’re ruining our mission.”

“What mission is this?” Giovanni closed the distance between us. My heart thumped at an uneven pace.

“You’re not supposed to know,” I said, squirming in his arms. “Now, let me go before the subject disappears.”

“The fuck are you on about, Jay? Tell me right now or I’ll hold you down like this until you answer.”

My eyes darted to my left and right, wondering where old Mr. Hermit had gone to. I definitely saw that brown walking cane. So, how did Mr. Hermit turn out to be Giovanni?

“Jay, the fuck are you staring at? Look at me.” Giovanni pinched my chin and forced my gaze back to his.

The minute my emerald irises met his black ones, I was lost in the depths of that ever-swirling black sky. My heart raced; my skin tingled.

“Boss, please. I’ve no time for this. Now let me go.”

“Stop squirming on my lap, goddamn you!” Giovanni closed his eyes, suppressing whatever emotion he was experiencing.

He took three deep breaths and then tossed me over the plush couch, surprising even me by trapping me beneath him. Just like that time in the bathtub. Just like that time in my dream. And then before I knew it, his face descended, coming closer and closer until-

Bonk!

Heath, Bobby, Jonny, and Finnie came out of nowhere and subdued Giovanni, dragging him back until I could breathe again.

I freaked out.

Oh God. I seriously hoped they didn’t mistake Giovanni for Mr. Hermit.

“Bobby. Heath. Wait! That’s the boss. That’s Giovanni,” I shouted, rushing after them, tripping over my heels twice. I cringed as pain raced up my legs.

Damn these heels. They’re a torture device for women’s feet.

But I suppressed myself. I had more important things to deal with. And that was to make sure the guys didn’t punch Giovanni’s lights out.

I had imagined the worst, seeing Giovanni all swollen with bloody lips. But by the time I got there, it wasn’t Giovanni who had a black eye; it was the other four. I ran to them.

“Jay, get in the car,” Giovanni shouted, halting my steps.

“But, boss-” I looked from the four distraught minions to the boss.

“Now. Don’t make me repeat myself, Jay.”

I knew I was a playful person, always wanting to taunt him, but today, I knew he was up to his eyeballs in rage. I didn’t want to provoke him.

It was cold outside. I shivered, not from the chilled air, but because of the guilt riding through me. It was all my fault. Now the guys would pay the price.

Giovanni took his coat off and put it around my shoulders. I looked up, not sure why he did this. He only said two words. “Wear this.” Then he led me to his car. I got in obediently, not wanting to argue anymore.

On the road, he drove at a dangerous speed, passing through yellow lights. We didn’t speak a word. I wanted to talk, but I was scared. Giovanni just kept his eyes on the road.

I couldn’t take his silence anymore. I mustered up the courage and spoke. “Boss…”

“Shut up, Jay. Not now. Wait until we get home,” he said coldly.

“Okay,” I tweeted, knowing now was not the time to push his buttons.

But he didn’t take me home. Giovanni drove me to an isolated place, parking the car at a cliff’s edge.

And then he killed me. With his gaze.

I was a trembling corpse, still breathing because he allowed me to. But not for long.

His long, lean fingers wound around my neck. I struggled to breathe. I closed my eyes, trembling in my seat. My life was now in his hands.

He’s going to kill me and dump my body in the sea. I’m going to die. I know I’m going to die. But I don’t want to die yet.

“Boss,” I mouthed, not sure if any sound came out. All I could focus on were his fingers around my neck. Suddenly, they softened, lingering on my collarbone. And nape. And…

I blinked, opening my eyes. He was assessing my face, just as I was assessing his.

Hard edge. Rough and raw. He was so dangerous today. But his eyes were so soft. And so innocent. Could this man be capable of killing so many men? Was this man really the mafia? Under the light of the full moon, he was like a little lost boy, hand gripping me for support.

“Boss.” I broke the silence.

Giovanni gripped my arm. Hard. I cried out. He released me just as quickly. And started beating his fist on the steering wheel. “Fuck! Jay, fuck!”

His face twisted with all sorts of expressions. Anger, vexation, annoyance, but most of all, there was pain and misery.

I was scared and somehow felt quite sad for him. I’d never seen Giovanni react this fiercely to any situation. It was as if he were fighting with himself. One minute he was Dr. Jekyll; the next he was Mr. Hyde.

As soon as his profane display ceased, he put the car back into motion again. I didn’t dare say a word during the drive home. And as soon as the car passed through the security gate and parked in front of Cory Mansion, I shot out, frightened Giovanni might transform into Mr. Hyde again.

The guys were already there, waiting for us to arrive. As soon as Giovanni saw Heath, he stormed up to the tall man and struck a blow at Heath’s jaw with his clenched fist.

“What the fuck did I tell you, Heath? Why did you bring Jay into that establishment?”

Heath didn’t respond. He only hung his head.

Giovanni was possessed by the devil. He was now Mr. Hyde. As soon as I saw his fist in the air again, I knew Heath was going to take another blow. I ran and stood in front of Heath just mere seconds before that strong hand hit my face.

“If you want to punch Heath, then punch me instead. I was the one who came up with the plan. Not Heath.”

“Fuck, Jay, get out of the way.” Giovanni seethed, eyes burning with rage.

“No.” I stood my ground. This was my fault. And I should take the blame. “Heath didn’t do anything wrong. I was just helping them collect the money.”

“You were trying to collect that old geezer’s money, right? By dressing like a slut.”

I was furious. He mocked my dignity and morality. I fired back at him, “I’m not a slut. I’m a girl on a mission.”

“And what mission is that? To fuck that old geezer. To lose that virginity you so want to keep.”

Tears wanted to seep from my eyes, but I suppressed them. “I have my right, you asshole. And just because I dressed provocatively, it doesn’t mean I want to sleep around with anyone. That man needed persuading. Otherwise, he wouldn’t hand the money over. You said to do anything to get your money back. So I did.”

“I didn’t mean for you to get involved or dress like a slut like that. You’re better off in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning, and making coffee.” His voice cut my heart into sections. And it was bleeding. I was in pain. And angry.

“I’m a woman, Giovanni. I want to dress and act like a woman for once. I don’t want to always dress like I’m one of the boys, hair always covered in flour, clothes smelling of coffee. I want to dress like a woman.”

Somewhere along the way, the room went quiet.

“You are one of my boys, Jay. Don’t ever dress in that clothing again. Remember, you’re my coffee machine, my maid. So start dressing like one.”

“I’m not your boy. I told you that. I may have a flat chest, but I’m a girl. A girl, Giovanni.” I emphasized my point, tears streaming down my face now.

“Then what do you want me to do?”

“Act like I’m a girl for once. See I’m a girl for once. Not your maid. And certainly not your coffee machine.”

“You mean like this.” He grabbed my chin, backed me up until I was pinned against the wall, and kissed the living hell out of me. His tongue invaded my personal space. His lips sealed over mine. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. And by the time I managed to push him off and run out of the room, my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.