Maid for the Mafia

**ROMANY**

The moment I hang up the phone with Mickey, I race toward my suite, needing to be alone. I know the guys are busy down the hall in the meeting and although I wasn't told I had to attend, it doesn't bother me. After all, I already *knew* Ruby was alive. *They're* the ones who didn't believe. Assholes.

When I step into my space I'm surprised to see there is no blood anywhere to be found, but that's not all that's missing.

My clothes are missing too.

"What the fuck?" I snarl, looking into my empty closet.

With a shake of my head and a promise to find out what happened later, I whip out my phone and send a text to Santos.

**Me-**

I have some news about your cousin Dana. She's here and she had some interesting things to say about Ruby as well. Things that have left me wondering...

As I stand there with my back against the wall and wait for a reply, I realize I may have messed everything up with this one text. What if he gets mad? What if he had some grand scheme going that somehow included Ruby's freedom and I just ruined it by telling him that Dana is here. *Shit.* I should have thought harder about this. Just as I am about to panic, he replies.

**Ruby-**

I was wondering how long it was going to take you to tell me about my boring cousin. My hats off to you. I was sure you were going to try and keep the knowledge for use at a later date, but you've proven me wrong. Nice work. And as far as whatever she has told you about Ruby - pay it no mind. Her mother talks too much and WISHES she knew the truth of what I do, but she only knows what I want her to. Which is nothing by the way. Ruby will be arriving home as promised, provided you fulfill your end of the bargain.

**Me-**

So Ruby IS ALIVE.

**Ruby-**

I believe I've already proven that to you. Yes. Ruby is alive. I have no wish to hurt her. Not now. Not ever.

**Me-**

So then why take me? Why take her cousin? You do know that will hurt her, right?

**Ruby-**

No. That will make her angry. It will make her come after me.

**Me-**

I thought you didn't want to hurt her though. If she comes after you...

**Ruby-**

She might HURT me. I will not hurt her. And I shouldn't even be telling you this. In fact. I probably wouldn't be except... you told me about my treacherous cousin. **Me-**

You're okay with her hurting you then? I don't get it. I don't understand. Unless...

**Ruby-**

Yes. Unless... I've already explained. I admire her. Need I say more?

**Me-**

Maybe. Could make me a much better captive if you do. **Ruby-**

Ha. I think you've been a great captive so far. Aat least for Alex.

**Me-**

I'm not his captive.

**Ruby-**

That's what you think.

**Me-**

I don't find you funny, Mister Santos, sir.

**Ruby-**

So tell me this... how did it feel to slam your fist into my cousin's jaw?

**Me-**

How in the hell do you know about that?

**Ruby-**

I'll bet it felt good. I owe you for that. And I mean that in a good way. What would you like? A car? A trip to Paris? You name it, it's yours. **Me-**

I only want my cousin.

**Ruby-**

How ironic. I only want your cousin, too. See you tomorrow. Midnight. I suggest erasing this thread just in case.

*He only wants my cousin too?* What the hell does that even mean? Could he maybe... nah. No way.

Someone like Santos doesn't fall in love. Does he?

*Some would say Alex DeMarco doesn't love either... yet...*

I can feel it in him everytime he looks at me. I can see it in the depths of his eyes. Even when he's an asshole. There's something there. Whether he admits it or not. He feels something for me beyond lust. I just know it. But what do *I* feel for him?

The shrill sound of someone screaming echoes down the hallway and I lean my ear up against the door to listen.

"This is *not* my job! I was hired as a secretary! Not a damned maid!" Dana's sharp words greet my ears. "I'll not be ordered to clean *that*!"

"Then you may leave," Alex's cold voice sounds. "It's entirely up to you. And good luck going home after leaving here. I'm sure your secret was never kept entirely in place. In fact, I have it on good authority that your mother already knows whom you've decided to work for. And if she doesn't... I'll be sure to inform her."

*Fucking Alex.*

"Fine," Dana snarls. "But this is the *only* time."

"Oh come now, Dana. As if you've never done similar work for your very own cousin. I happen to know that you have. Now if you'll excuse me. I have a doctor's appointment downstairs."

I smirk to myself and get ready to open the door when I hear Dana speak again and who she's talking to holds me frozen in place.

"Damien," Dana's voice lowers sadly. "How could you? I thought we-"

"I told you we could never be a thing, Dana. Not really. I told you that-"

"No!" she snaps on the end of a snob and for a moment I feel sorry for her. "That's *not* what you said. You said you *weren't* sure! You said you cared about me! Was any of it true? ANy of it at all"

I hold my breath, wanting to hear his answer almost as much as she does.

"No, Dana. I'm sorry. It wasn't."

A broken cry sounds and in that moment I feel like absolute shit. *She's in love with him.*

"Are you in love with her? With *that* bitch? That... girl????"

I bite my lip, my chest pounding as I strain to hear the answer, yet already knowing what it will be.

"She's *not* a bitch and you will not call her that again."

"Do you love her or not?" Dana spits.

"Yes, Dana. I do. I love her."

I hold my breath, totally unprepared for what I hear next.

A gunshot rings out down the hall and in that moment, I think my heart stops.