Page 87 of Mafia And Maid

I close my eyes, turning around to face him.

“Rosa.”

“Please,” I whisper. “I need to change.” I don’t want to cry in front of him. But I know what I look like. I know how undesirable I am like this.

His calloused finger hooks under my chin, lifting my face.

Squeezing my eyes shut tighter, I plead with my breathing to even out and for my pulse to go back down.

“Did he do that to you?”

Opening my eyes, I blink. “What?”

“Your husband.” The words growl between his clenched teeth. “The bruises on your back and arms. Are they from…before?”

Confusion sweeps through me. That’s what he’s upset about?

Although he’s called me gorgeous before, that little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me he didn’t mean it and was just being nice.

But right now, he’s only zeroed in on the faded yellow and purple marks that are exposed on my back. He’s not looking at the rest of my body—nor the size of me.

“Did he do this to you?”

The ferocity in his voice, the spark of anger in his eyes, makes my body tremble. Not from fear, but from something else.

“How could he mark something so fucking beautiful?” The warm breath of his words caresses my face as he leans closer, his forehead pressed against mine. I’m not sure he even realizes he’s said them because the hardness of his face remains. “Tell me. He did this, didn’t he?”

I nod, unable to find my voice.

But I know I don’t have to be afraid of this man. The face he wears as the Marchiano enforcer is just a mask he wears to prove to the world he’s the monster everyone thinks he is. But behind it is a man who’s gentle with a broken boy…and even more so with me. A man who coaxes these feelings in me and makes me cling to every compliment that falls from his lips.

When his hold on me loosens a little, I take my chance and dash inside and up the stairs. My hands are trembling as I hastily pull on my clothing.

Then, as I lean against the closed door, I lock eyes with my reflection. Revulsion tears through me, followed by shame.

Who would ever love a fat pig like you?

The words Grayden said to me whisper again and again through my mind.

***

Since leaving Grayden, my parents have left me a number of voicemails and text messages. And although they were angry at first, my mother’s been messaging me more lately, asking how Ethan and I are. I haven’t dared tell her where I am, but I can tell that my parents’ attitudes are softening—and, quite honestly, it’s nice to have someone in my family care about me. Camillo and Marco refused to decrease my wages to take into account Ethan’s bed and board, and every day I’m worried about what will happen to us because their charity can’t last forever—and eventually, Grayden will catch up with us. He’s already found me once, and I know it’s impossible to stay hidden while I’m still in Chicago.

My mother’s persuaded me to come for dinner at the family home tonight. I deliberated long and hard about whether I should go, but they’re my family, and they’re the only ones I can ask to lend me enough money to get away for good and start afresh.

On my evening off, I drop Ethan at Kori’s house for a play date with Kristopher. He’s so excited to see them again, and I want to talk to my parents without Ethan there.

At the agreed time, I arrive at the Davis family mansion, my palms sweaty as I climb the steps up to the front door. The maid shows me into the drawing room where my parents and my younger sister, Reagan, have gathered for drinks. “There you are, Rosa.” My mother greets me with a kiss on each cheek, her familiar expensive perfume wafting through the air. “I’m glad you’re here so that we can help you. We’re your family, and we just want to support you to get your life back on track after recent events.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. I was so afraid that they would refuse to help me. “I’m so grateful for your help. I just need enough money to get Ethan and me away from Chicago and Grayden, and I promise I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

My mother’s gaze slides from me to my father and back again. “Don’t you think it would be better to return to Grayden so that you can give things another go? Grayden’s been sick out of his mind with worry after you up and left in the middle of the night and took his son with you.”

“He’smyson as well. And Grayden hates both of us.”

“Nonsense,” Father grits out. “He’s been looking everywhere for you, wanting to bring you home.”

“He’s even said he’s prepared to forgive you this one time,” Mother adds.

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