Chapter 6
The touch of his hand against her sleeve sent a jolt of electricity straight to Nerea's core. She looked up into his cold, observant eyes and found them entirely devoid of the malice he had directed at his former fiancée. Instead, they burned with a quiet, profound intensity that left her breathless. The bright, cinematic lighting illuminated the stark contrast between them—the towering, dangerous mafia boss and the delicate, beautiful housemaid who had just crippled his attacker.
"I couldn't just stand there, sir," Nerea whispered, her expressive eyes locked onto his. "You didn't deserve that humiliation."
"Do you believe anyone in this room cared about what I deserved, Nerea?" Aurelio asked softly, his thumb gently tracing the fabric of her sleeve. "Did you not see them stand idly by while she attempted to drive a heel through my hand?"
"I saw them," Nerea admitted, a flicker of anger tightening her delicate features. "They are cowards. All of them."
Aurelio’s sharp jaw relaxed into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "And yet, the only person with the courage to strike a prominent designer was a woman in a maid's uniform."
He looked around the ruined showroom. The glass was everywhere, the pristine white marble scarred by the violence. The shoe launch was completely destroyed, but Aurelio didn't seem to care.
"Are we finished here for the evening?" Aurelio asked the empty room, his voice returning to a cold, authoritative rumble.
"I can clean this up, sir," Nerea offered quickly, stepping forward, her instincts as a housemaid kicking in. "I can sweep the glass before anyone gets hurt."
"Do you honestly believe I will ever let you touch a broom again after tonight?" Aurelio inquired, his hand tightening slightly on her arm, stopping her movement.
Nerea blinked, confused. "But... it's my job."
"Your job is finished," Aurelio stated firmly. He didn't sound angry; he sounded resolute. "You are no longer a housemaid in this estate."
Panic flared in Nerea's chest. "Are you firing me? Because I caused a scene?"
"Am I firing you?" Aurelio asked, stepping closer, entirely erasing the distance between them. "Or am I elevating you to the position you truly belong in?"
Nerea swallowed hard, her heart pounding frantically. She looked at his heavily tattooed hand still holding her arm, the warmth of his skin seeping through the fabric of her dress.
"I don't understand," she whispered.
"Will you accompany me upstairs, Nerea?" Aurelio asked, his gaze lingering on her softly contoured face. "Do you think I trust anyone else in this house right now?"
"I will come," Nerea said softly, the reality of her new position settling heavily upon her.
"Are you prepared for the war that begins tomorrow?" Aurelio asked, turning his broad shoulders toward the heavy mahogany doors.
The private west wing of the mansion was a stark contrast to the opulent, echoing showroom. The corridors here were lined with plush carpets and warm, muted lighting, designed specifically to be a sanctuary. Aurelio walked silently down the hall, his polished shoes making no sound. Nerea walked a half-step behind him, her black maid dress swishing softly. Heavy, armed guards nodded respectfully as they passed, their eyes widening in absolute shock as they registered the housemaid walking the private halls with the boss.
May you like
They reached the heavy oak double doors of the master suite. Aurelio pushed them open, stepping into the massive room bathed in the soft glow of bedside lamps.
"Will you lock the door behind us, Nerea?" Aurelio asked softly, turning to face her as she stepped inside.
