The Maid: Mafia Romance (Series)

Blood from a Stone

“I heard from Bobby you were sick?”

“Food allergies.”

“Did you go to the hospital?”

“No. Heath helped out before it got worse.”

“You should be careful what you eat.”

“I know.”

“You were also in a fight with Leo?”

“No. He sent a woman my way. Thought I would get totally captivated by her. I sent her packing, though. Along with a warning to Leo.”

“Don’t mind Leo. He’s not right in the head.”

“Say that to his face when you see him, old man.”

Giuseppe Dente, the head honcho of the Dente Mafia, observed the young man sitting in front of him. He passed two documents, each sealed in a large envelope, to Giovanni.

“What’s this?” Giovanni asked, hand running along the rim of the thin envelope.

“I need you to collect his debt. He falls under your jurisdiction.”

“How many millions are we looking at?”

“A few.”

“Got it. My boys will sort him out. And the other one?” Giovanni picked up the thick envelop to examine.

“Business. I need you to negotiate with him. Set out all the terms and conditions.”

“Regarding?”

“Funding he wants from us.”

“Who’s he?” Giovanni flicked his eyes at him.

“Another mafia family.”

Giovanni chuckled. “Really? Someone wants to join forces with our family?”

Giuseppe looked at Giovanni with adoration in his eyes, seeing the leader he’d become. Giuseppe remembered the first time he saw Giovanni. Dirt rag. A tall, gangly boy out on the streets. Soot smeared all over that oval face.

But Giovanni had come far, proving himself with self-determination. His education was top grade. His fighting skills were top notch. The boy had overcome every obstacle put in his way. If he had a son, Giuseppe would want him to be like Giovanni. That was why he’d given his last name to this boy. The boy his family neglected.

Giuseppe didn’t know much about Giovanni’s family. Giovanni never talked much about his past. Although, he would deliriously dream about his family whenever he was sick. Screams of agony. Shouts of anguish. Cries of pain. There was also something about protecting his mother. But Giuseppe knew this was a topic Giovanni wasn’t comfortable talking about. So, he never pushed the boy.

“I’m proud of you, Giovanni,” Giuseppe said after some time. The wheelchair squeaked as he moved closer to Giovanni. “I’m sure your father would be proud of you.”

Giovanni scoffed. “I have no father.”

A wounded look appeared on Giuseppe’s face. His wrinkles had become more prominent since he’d hit sixty. And especially due to his declining health.

Because of his diabetes, his legs had been amputated. Life in a wheelchair was hard. But not as hard as having no life to live. And that was what he’d told this boy every day since the first day he’d set foot in this house, under his care.

“Your mother, then. She’d be proud of who you’ve become.”

“Would she be proud of me if she knew I belonged to another mafia family?”

“Giovanni.” Giuseppe clutched the boy’s hand. “The Dente family may be a mafia family, but those days of killing people and dealing with the black market are long gone. Our battlefield is now negotiation and business ventures. And you’ve done that by helping me with my business so far. Hotels. Malls. Apartments. And lending companies. If anything were to happen to me, you’ll be my sole heir.”

“Old man. What’s all this talk about? You’ve got a long way to go before God takes you to heaven.”

“Hell, Giovanni. Hell.” Giuseppe reclined in his chair. He was tired. He missed those happy days when he was younger, robust, and full of energy. He missed those days when he fell in love. So much in love. Especially with a girl who’d ended up with another man.

Giuseppe opened his eyes again, banishing those thoughts from his mind. It was too painful for his heart to bear. If only they’d had a son from their quick liaison before they broke up. He still mourned that day.

“Heaven, Giuseppe. You saved my life. I wouldn’t be here without you, old man.”

“You’re a good kid. Get to work, then. I’ve got some things to take care of myself.”

“Would you like me to escort you somewhere? Heath brought the van.”

“No. Maxfield will take care of it. You take care of this business. I really want this project to work.”

“Sure, Giuseppe. I won’t let you down.”

“You never let me down, Giovanni.” Giuseppe smiled tiredly. He called Maxfield and exited.

Giovanni smiled, downing the last of his Pinot Noir, and exited the room, too.

Giovanni slammed both fists on the table. I almost jumped a mile high through the roof. Now, if I weren’t the recipient of his wrath, then who could it be directed at?

I took a peek at Giovanni. He was glaring at his underlings, all of them sitting like little children about to get scolded by their mother-in this case, the father-and my God, he looked mad. Not in a lunatic way, but as in red face, steam coming out of his ears.

The mood right now was even icier than the icebergs in the Arctic. I was busy polishing the many ornaments inside his office, but I couldn’t help eavesdropping on their conversation when he started swearing like a madman again.

And there was a side effect to his swearing, too. The more he swore, the more my hands seemed to scrub his precious ornaments, until-

“Jay!”

Oh crap! Now all his attention was on me. I trembled where I stood. “Yes, boss!”

“Sit down. You’re annoying me with that scrubbing of yours.”

“Yes, boss.” I nodded meekly and darted my eyes about to look for any spare seat for me to wedge my bottom on. Bobby seemed to have a little room left on the edge, so I went to his side. As soon as I approached the guys, I could see they were clasping their hands in fear.

Something didn’t feel right. I should brace myself. I knew I’d be in for an earful soon.

I shuffled Bobby out of his seat, but he wouldn’t let me in that easily. He kept pushing me back. On and on we went until-

“Jay!” Giovanni’s shout made my body freeze up.

“Yes, boss!” I yelped back, too fast and too loud for my ears.

“Get your ass in a chair. Now!”

“I am,” I whimpered, turning to face him. Oh My God! I’d never seen Giovanni this mad before. Would he cut off all our heads?

“Then what’s the fuss about?” he growled, his face inches from mine.

“There are only four chairs,” I meekly replied, blinking back at him.

“For fuck’s sake.” He ruffled his hair, possibly annoyed with me again. “Here, take my chair.”

“What?” Everyone in the office, including me, almost flipped over in surprise.

Giovanni giving up his cushy chair for me? But the “giving” part wasn’t the big deal here. The big deal was the chair itself, the big, black chair that contained so much power, like the throne of a king.

Does that make me the queen?

I gulped, suddenly not liking where I stood. “Ah, boss, it’s all right. I’ll stand and listen here, like a good-”

“Just sit your ass on that seat, Jay.” Giovanni came around and literally dragged me to his chair. He pushed me down, his hands resting on my shoulders, and now I was trapped. I was literally facing the guys on the other side of the desk, and they were all looking at me in disbelief.

I saw Bobby mouthing something at me. I couldn’t understand what he was saying.

What. Are. You. Saying? I mouthed back.

He. Likes. You.

Shut. Up. Not. True.

He. Offered. You. His. Chair.

Bobby was making me more nervous. I couldn’t help it. I gave him my ultimate weapon, the bird, otherwise known as my middle finger.

“Jay!”

Oh crap! Did Giovanni catch me?

“Yes, boss.” I put on a fake smile for him.

“What’s with the finger? Are you going around flipping people off now?”

“What? No. I was just using my middle finger to scratch my nose. If you don’t believe me, ask Bobby.”

Giovanni immediately swung his attention to Bobby. He trembled in his seat. “She was just scratching herself, boss. It’s better if you stay away from her. You might get infected.”

“Hey, itchy skin isn’t contagious.” I tossed my defense back.

“Would you two shut your mouths? I’m in charge here.” Giovanni ceased our argument with his command.

“Sorry, boss,” both Bobby and I chorused.

“Now, for the problem at hand.” Giovanni planted himself on his desk, his masculine arm just next to my breast. I tried to move away, but one of his hands was still holding the back of the chair, trapping me. I tried to keep as still as possible so as not to touch him. He carried on speaking, oblivious to my itchy reaction. “I know it’s hard to squeeze blood from a stone, but-”

“Boss, are you talking about me?” I tweeted, catching the word stone.

Giovanni’s eyes were twitching again. He swung around and glared at me. “What about you, Jay?”

“I’m a Stone here, boss. Look, if you’re going to discuss my personal matters-my Pa’s debt-could you please not talk in front of the guys? It’s a sensitive topic. It always makes me upset.”

Giovanni clicked his tongue and clenched his jaw. He then closed his eyes for a full three seconds. I could see the vein throbbing in his throat. Oh, my God. He’s not going to burst his artery, is he?

“You know, Jay, you should really be more like your name,” he said through clenched teeth.

“What, you mean-Jenny? Smart, honest, brilliant?” I asked, listing all the good qualities of my name.

“No, a stone, like a rock.” Giovanni slammed his fist on his desk again. I almost bounced out of my seat with the vibration. He glared at me and seethed through his teeth. “Now shut up and stop interrupting me.”

“Sorry, boss.” I zipped my mouth, and listened to what he had to say.

“As I was saying, it’s hard to squeeze blood from a stone, but you asses…” Giovanni pointed his finger at his four underlings. “If only you tried harder. That old hermit is just buying time with his excuses. I don’t want any more excuses. Mess this job up and I’ll mess with your faces. You all got that.”

“Yes, boss.” They all hastily nodded.

“Ah, boss?” I had to lift my hand to ask for his attention. I cringed. Why did I do that? But I was curious. And what did people say about curiosity? It could kill you. And I was asking for my death sentence. Right here. Right now. “Umm. Who’s the old hermit? And what did the guys do?”

“For fuck’s sake, Jay, get out of my seat and go make us some coffee.” Giovanni exploded. He lifted me by the collar and shoved me off his chair. I almost fell, if not for my good reflexes.

“Easy, boss. I’m a delicate creature here. You don’t want to ruin these hands. They’re precious. If anything happens to them, you ain’t getting any coffee.”

“Jay, I’m seriously thinking of just turning you into coffee beans.” Giovanni’s face turned raspberry red.

“Ouch, boss. Sorry. I’m off, then. I’m off.” I backed away until my back hit the door, and then I sprinted out of the office for my dear life.