Page 4 of Alessio

“Ugh,” I sigh and turn to the asshole. “Leave me alone. For the last fucking time, I’m not interested.” He puts his hand on my shoulder, and I shrug it off. Moving toward the bus, I ignore the creep.

“Don’t be a bitch.”

“Drop dead.” I keep walking, hoping he’ll stop following or I’ll have to dip into a building. After a few seconds, I can feel his presence has disappeared from my side. Turning my head, he’s nowhere to be found, so I guess he gave up.

I take out my phone just in case, ready to call for help, and I make my way to the bus stop. As I wait for the bus, I think about the job. I’m going to make a lot of money really fast, and that will help us get on track so my sister won’t have to stress. My giddiness returns, and I’m thrilled about the job.

My euphoria only lasts until I get home and tell my sister about the position.

“This doesn’t sound right, June,” she says, pressing her hand on my thigh.

“What do you mean, May? It’s a cleaning job. People don’t have time to clean their homes, so they pay someone else to do it, and that means they’re willing to pay a lot more for it.”

“Yeah, like once or twice a month. Maybe even once a damn week, but almost all week and for that much money?”

“Well, maybe it’s a freaking big-ass mansion that requires an entire team of people to keep it clean, so it’s just easier to have one person take their time. Or maybe they have a bunch of little kids running around and they need help to pick up toys or scrub crayon off the wall.”

“Listen, I’m not trying to be a naysayer or anything, but I’m just saying that when something is just too good to be true… usually, it is.”

“Look, there are jobs that pay almost that much all the damn time. Inflation and the economy have some places paying eighteen bucks to serve food, so it’s not like this is much more. Besides, the agency said the owner works from home and doesn’t want to be disturbed, which means I probably won’t have to deal with them. I’ll be fine.”

“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.”

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