Page 18 of Maid For The Mafia Informant

Dammit!

With my hands on my temples, I make my way to the bathroom, telling myself that there’s no way Ben will let it go, he couldn’t. He said he would find a way for us to be together. I have to trust that he will.

But after so many years of either finishing last, or never finishing at all, my old doubt and insecurities start to creep back in.

I figure a hot bath might do me some good, so I start filling the tub.

I hear my phone, but let it go to voice mail. The sudden thought of my dad again makes me almost wish I’d switched it off, but there’s always that chance-

That what? Ben will call?

How can he?

Sighing as I make my way to the phone, I pick it up and carry it back to the bathroom, glad to be able to start to undress after a long and upsetting day.

It rings again, a private number.

I switch the volume down, determined to at least have one last pleasure for the day in the form of a bath.

I’m naked, waiting for the tub to be just right when I notice a shadow pass across the window.

I scream involuntarily. Mainly because I’m also on the fifth floor.

The only way anyone could be up here is on the fire escape, which I remember is so rusty nobody would dare use it, even if the building did catch fire.

I snatch the robe from the back of the bathroom door, and with my heart pounding, I race to find the number Partridge gave me.

My pulse is like thunder in my ears, my hands shake so bad I drop the card.

Bending down to pick it up, I scream out loud again before a strong hand covers my mouth, lifting me up effortlessly.

The familiar scent, the warmth of his body behind mine, plus the tell-tale thickness of the line of heat running halfway up my back, I heave a sigh of relief.

Ben!Chapter TenBenOnce I see Partridge shrug like he doesn’t know if or when she’ll be back, and after I promise Sophie I’d find a way, I almost feel lost. Like I’ll never get out.

Until I hear the door.

It doesn’t close like it usually does.

I wait a few minutes, go over to it, and listening out, I hear another door opposite in the hall open then close.

I wait again, then buzz for the guard.

Nothing.

Examining the door, I can see the tape, I know Sophie somehow managed to slide a section across the bolt.

Good girl. Clever girl.

My girl.

Taking a breath, I gently open it and peer out.

Empty hall and no guard again, I figure he’s gone straight back to whatever or whoever he’s been doing across the hall.

Although, I can’t be certain it was right across the hall, or a few doors down.

Truth is, I didn’t even know if anyone else was really in this building.

I guess there’s a lot I still don’t know, but I’m not planning on spending another night here to try and find out.

I busy myself, taking only the most crucial files I need and packing them, along with my laptop in my backpack.

Once I have everything, I slip out for the last time, taking off the tape from the door and stealing down the corridor to the elevators.

The sound of a door makes me turn quickly, and holding the elevator open I peek around before letting it close.

It’s the guard, sure enough. Coming out from a room two doors down from mine across the hall, he’s kissing a woman.

Before she closes her door herself, she glances down towards me but I duck my head, looking back I see her profile for a split second before she disappears again.

I’d know that profile anywhere.

District Attorney Daniella Fellini.

But what the hell is she doing here of all places?

What’s more, what is she doing with the guard? He’s not a bad looking fella, but she has a certain type.

District Attorney Barbie they called her at the office, not a real lot of brains but more boobs, big hair, and fake tan then anything else. Plus, a lot of obscure connections.

I never liked her, and she liked me even less after I brushed off her forward advances towards me. It was as though from that day my life, my work with the criminal families took a downhill turn somehow.

She’s certainly not my type, but seeing her here, screwing the guy who’s guarding me?

I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.

I let the elevator doors close and shake my head as I think all the way to the ground floor.

Keeping to the shadows once I cross the cavernous foyer of the darkened building, I’m relieved when the front door opens.

I’m free.

Zig-zagging a pattern of the same shadow hugging strategy, I finally unravel the piece of tape Sophie left that helped me escape. The thing I realize I’ve clutched in my hand since first holding it.

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