Page 9 of Spice and Revenge

“That makes sense,” I whisper.

But the topic of wines reminds me of what I saw yesterday.Do. Not. Think. About. That.

The rolled cornetti is placed on a baking sheet, and then we brush each cornetto with a light egg wash before placing the tray in the oven.

“Yes. The younger Vitale children are, well… children. They like to travel and spend their daddy’s money. In fact, the twins are in Santorini, Greece, right now. Carmela couldn’t go because she has school,” Josie tells me.

Blanco says, “The twins are not that young,” at the same time Hilda says, “It serves Carmela right. That bitch…”

Josie gasps, turning to look at Hilda. “Why would you call a child the B-word?”

“She’s not that young. Isn’t she seventeen?” Hilda rolls her eyes.

Josie, who I’ve noticed is a very big gossip, gets reminded of something else to inform me.

“Yes. The twins are twenty, and Don is twenty-nine.”

“But hold on,” Blanco interjects. “Isn’t it shocking how you claim to be all holy and righteous, but you are the biggest gossip amongst the three of us?”

I bite my lip to stifle my chuckle. Hilda doesn’t bother to hide her laughter.

“I am not gossiping,” Josie says, her cheeks reddening. “I'm just keeping the new recruit informed...”

“About things no one else even bothers to think about. How the hell do you even know all their ages?” Blanco asks.

The smiles on Hilda’s and Blanco’s faces disappear immediately as I hear the sound of heels clicking against the floors.

“Isn’t it too early for your tittle-tattle?” Nina hisses in a cold voice as she walks into the kitchen. I have a feeling this is a regular occurrence.

The kitchen falls silent as Nina walks around, inspecting the food being made. Hilda seems very uncomfortable in Nina’s presence, which is why, after a few minutes, she says, “Blanco and I will go make the table.”

With that, they both scurry off.

Nina nods in approval as I begin to dish the food into bowls and trays.

“This looks delightful. The Don will appreciate it,” she says in her usual monotone voice.

Josie, the chatterbox, quietly pours the freshly squeezed orange juice into an elegant glass jug.

Finally, two more maids arrive to transport the food to the dining table as I start tidying up. My breath hitches when I hear the sound of Leo’s voice. Even though I despise his arrogant guts, he is still my boss, and I want him to like my cooking.

However, Nina walks into the kitchen some minutes later, with a small frown on her face.

“I don’t know what you’ve done, but Don is pissed…”

“What?” My heart sinks.What now?

“He summons you,” she says before briskly walking away.

Is this another one of his games to embarrass and frustrate me?

I clench my fists to contain my annoyance, before adjusting my apron and walking into the dining room.

My team, along with Nina and two other maids, all stand in a horizontal line across the table. I come to stand right next to Hilda before raising my head to look at Leo.

He’s more handsome today. His black hair is combed back, away from his face, revealing the sharp edges of his facial structure. But when the gorgeous man speaks, any type of attraction I have disappears into thin air.

“Were you sent to poison me?” he seethes. His voice is low, dark, and dangerous.

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