Maid for the Mafia

**ROMANY**

*Oh my God... will I ever learn???*

*How am I this dumb?*

*This is why Ruby never wanted me here.*

*She knew what I didn't. That these men would find a way to break me.*

*They used me. All of them.*

*Maybe not in the same way, but it is what it is.*

The truth of It hits me with the force of a freight train when I realize it, and suddenly I want midnight to come and go so badly that I can hardly stand it. I need to be a ghost. Just a shadow of someone who *once* had a presence here, because I've never been so ashamed in my life.

*Is that why Mickey was able to walk away after seeing me kiss Matthew that night? Because sure, he wanted me, but not in the way that matters. Not in the way that costs.*

"*Now,* I understand," I rasp out. "Wow. I am so, so, stupid." One guttural sob escapes before I can stop it, and I turn away before it can get any worse. "Bye Mickey," I whisper, softly, reaching for the door.

"No!" I hear him growl out. "Wait a minute, doll, please!"

God help me, I freeze, closing my eyes when I feel Mickey's arm snake past me to make sure the back door shut. A moment later, the lock is heard slamming down and he presses his body directly into mine from behind. This time he doesn't move away.

"Fucking son-off-a-bitch," Mickey snarls in the direction of the front seat.

"Mister Scavo, I really should stress-"

"Shut the fuck up, Kale. You work for me as a driver, not as a fucking cuckoo clock. I don't neet a fucking weather alert from you about what conditions we might face, either. YOU? Your job is to do what I say when I *feel* like saying it. Other than that, your job is to shut the fuck up. Now... drive us around back. To the gate, Kale. Now," Mickey orders, his voice colder than I've ever heard it.

*Around back? To the gate?*

*Could this be the same gate that I will travel under tonight?*

The SUV fires to life and the wheels begin to roll. Although I know I should probably take a look around, I keep my eyes closed. It's not like I'll be seeing the grass on *this* side of the fence, anyway. Not after I leave. Because even if Santos *does* let me go the way he promised to, I don't think I'll ever want to see this place again. There's an intense pounding behind my eyes and I whimper, keeping them closed tight and not wanting to release the burn of my tears. Mickey's hard body crowds in behind mine, his warmth nearly coaxing the sobs right from my chest. I can feel him so close, right up against my back. Wet heat streaks my cheeks, tears forcing their way from under my lids and down over my cheeks before I can stop them.

"Fuck doll..." Mickey whispers, his lips on my ear. "No... baby, please don't cry."

That is the first time he's ever called me that, and fool that I am... *I really, really like it.*

I feel his arm flex behind me as the SUV begins to slow down and I swipe at my face with one hand, preparing to open my eyes, but Mickey whispers, "Not yet, baby. Keep those gorgeous eyes closed for me for just a few more minutes. Please?"

I don't know why, but I don't question him, just remain seated. Nodding weakly, I let him press me back against his arm. A shudder passes over his body and I hear him dispel a slow breath. It's warm and close and I know without looking that he must be watching me with those expressive green eyes of his.

"Right there, Kale," Mickey commands. "Park beneath that canopy of trees next to the shed."

The tires beneath us go silent, as if we've turned onto a softer patch of road, or maybe grass. Mickey's warm palm glides over my thigh, stopping just under the hem of my robe at the same moment the SUV parks. "Good," Mickey calls out to Kale. "Now cut the engine and step out for me please. Wait right over there next to Mario."

Mickey's hand squeezes and although I'm tempted to open my eyes, especially when I hear Kale exit and the driver's door shut, I don't do it.

The moment we're alone, Mickey sighs, his hand raising from my leg to cup the side of my face and trace his thumb over my lips. "I do regret never introducing myself to you," Mickey admits, his elegant fingers catching the tiny droplets that remain upon my skin. "I have for a long time. And I am going to hear every little detail of that story you were trying to tell me, but I need to take care of something right quick and I want your pretty little eyes closed the entire time. Understood?"

"Bu-he-ut... why?" I ask him, noting the slight hiccup that still remains after my tears have dried.

Mickey must hear it too, because he hushes me gently and then tenses. "Damn it, Doll, you're killing me." He places a warm kiss along my brow and whispers, "No woman's tears should ever be so powerful." Again, he sighs and I hear him fiddling with something under the seat. "Just do as I say, baby. I won't let anything else damage that purity I love so much."

"Love?" As much as I hate it, my lips draw down in a pout.

"Hell yes, love," he repeats, and I can feel him hesitate as if he wants to say more, but doesn't know if he should. "Remember what I said, eyes closed."

I nod, closing his jacket tighter around me when his arm is suddenly gone and I hear the door on his side close.

As his footsteps fade away, I mull over all the things he said about Paul Romano needing to be replaced and his marrying the daughter being the only way up for him. He said... *Only the Dons are allowed their obsessions.* So... is that why, he's doing this? Is *that* why he's going to marry that girl?

A loud commotion sounds somewhere outside the SUV, followed by a muffled curse and then...

***POP - POP - POP***

...gunshots.