“There should be no talking to the Morettis, no looking at the Morettis, and unless necessary—no breathing near the Morettis.”

Elena kept her hands perfectly behind her back and paid attention to every word the strict head housekeeper of the enormous estate spoke.

“You are here to work!” Madam Caterina’s voice was crisp and cold. Elena’s eyes wandered to the other newly recruited maids. A small group of ten. None of them looked younger than twenty-four, meaning she had to be the youngest.

The mansion belonged to one of the most feared men in the city, Dominic Moretti. Although he tried to cover his tracks behind a family vineyard and winery, everyone knew him as one of the most ruthless and notorious mafia bosses in New Jersey.

His sons had quite the reputation in the city as well, and it was not a good one. There was the youngest brother, Marco, known for his playboy ways, the middle child, Giovanni, known for his lack of manners, and at last, the oldest, the heir—Alessandro, known for his hideous temper, cold aura, and handsome looks.

The youngest and only daughter, Lily, was a six-year-old firecracker, nicknamed the princess of the house, and apparently, she was difficult to handle.

She seemed the complete opposite from Elena’s daughter of the same age.

Elena didn’t take Madam Caterina’s words lightly. There was a reason why she had told them all of this, and truthfully—she didn’t want to find out.

“Every single thing that reaches your ear and wasn’t supposed to, will stay within this mansion,” she continued. “Don’t forget the non-disclosure agreement you have all agreed to sign. Follow the rules.”

“And what if we don’t?” One woman beside Elena dared to ask.

A chuckle escaped from Madam’s lips, followed by a heavy sigh. “Well then, I suppose we’d be sending you back to where you came from… in a body bag.”

“E-Excuse me, Madam?”

“Nothing!” Madam Caterina clapped her hands. “Now, back to your posts, everyone! I expect everything to be impeccable. Remember, perfection is the standard here!”

With a damp rag in her hand, Elena scrubbed the marble floors. Looking at the clock, she could not believe it had only been one hour. The time seemed to move in slow motion.

Her back ached as she worked herself to the bone, but she didn’t stop. Madam Caterina had eyes everywhere, and losing this job was the last thing Elena needed at the moment.

Her focus was interrupted when a maid from the opposite end of the hallway began sweeping the floor toward her. It was a new face, one Elena had not seen with the recruits from earlier.

The blonde maid showed her a soft smile, and Elena hesitantly gave her one in return. Interacting with new people had never been her strong suit. She wasn’t shy, not at all. She was just a strong believer that fewer faces meant less drama.

“Hey there,” the maid lowered herself to the floor, breaking the silence. “I’m Liza.”

“Elena,” she introduced herself, wringing the rag in her hand. “But you can call me Ellie.”

“So, how’s your first day going?” Liza asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Ah, it’s… it’s alright,” Elena replied, focusing her gaze back on the polished floor. She bet Madam Caterina also had ears everywhere. “Have you been working here for a long time?”

“Just a year,” Liza said, a small laugh escaping her lips. “Feels like forever sometimes, though.”

Elena rolled her eyes before taking a huff. “I can imagine.”

“So what brings you here, Elena?”

This was the part Elena didn’t like regarding meeting new people. Liza had asked her a question, and she expected an answer.

“I… I just needed a change,” she finally responded, twisting the truth. She feared sharing the real reason might make Liza run off, or worse, tell others, which would escalate in people pitying her. “I’m from a small town in Georgia. There’s not really much to do.”

The truth was much harsher. Elena had run from her abusive ex, carrying her daughter Natalie, with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. After a month of working at a diner for minimum wage, she was desperate for stability. She wanted her daughter to have a better life than she did. She needed her to have that.

Both her parents were deadbeats, but Natalie had a mother that cared. One willing to do anything for her.

“A change is good!” Liza responded. “I’m from the countryside myself. It’s quiet, peaceful, but too peaceful, you know? I also needed something different.”

But was it really that bad to live peacefully? Working for the Morettis had not exactly been at the top of her list. If it wasn’t for him, she would kill to get back to the countryside.

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of approaching footsteps, followed by a gasp leaving Liza’s mouth. Suddenly, her hand clutched Elena’s.

“Get up and clear the path,” she whispered hurriedly. “Come on!”

Scrambling to her feet, Elena could see that all the other maids did the same and moved against a wall.

As she joined them, her eyes shifted down the hall, and there they were.

The infamous Moretti brothers.

Marco, Giovanni, and Alessandro.

In an instant, Elena looked at Alessandro who stood in the center and buzzed with authority. His looks were dangerously charming. His dark hair, almost black, was slicked back, and his piercing brown eyes focused straight ahead. He was handsome, eye candy actually, and anyone denying it would’ve been stupid.

“Keep your head down, Ellie,” Liza breathed.

Elena did as she said, but not before she got a full view of Alessandro Moretti.