Chapter 5 - When the Mafia Don Moved the Maid and Her Daughter into the Master Penthouse
The following week turned the Moretti estate into a fortress on high alert.
Dominic mobilized his private security teams across the Northeast. Strike teams
were dispatched to Massachusetts, while heavily armed convoys secured the
perimeter around the Westchester estate.
During this intense storm, my life underwent a surreal, breathtaking
transformation. I was no longer permitted to clean rooms, polish silver, or
prepare meals with the rest of the staff. Instead, Dominic assigned two personal
bodyguards to shadow me and Lily whenever we stepped out of our third-floor
suite.
One evening, after the children had fallen asleep side by side on the massive
living room sofa—exhausted from building an elaborate blanket fort—Dominic
entered the penthouse suite. He had removed his tie and rolled up the sleeves of
his white dress shirt, looking tired but undeniably striking.
He walked over to the kitchen island where I was quietly brewing chamomile tea.
“You don't belong in an apron, Nora,” Dominic said quietly, leaning against the
counter.
I paused, looking down at my hands. “It’s who I am, Mr. Moretti. I’ve worked to
earn my keep my entire life. Being in this penthouse... being waited on by other
staff... it feels wrong.”
Dominic reached out, his warm, calloused hand gently covering mine on the marble
counter. A sudden spark of electricity shot up my arm, making my breath catch.
“Six years ago, when you applied for the housekeeper position, you walked in
here bruised, carrying an infant, with nothing to your name but a forged
reference and pure determination,” Dominic murmured, his slate-grey eyes locking
onto mine with piercing intensity. “I knew the references were fake. But I hired
you because I saw a mother who would walk through fire to protect her child.
Just like I would for Ethan.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “You knew they were fake?”
“I know everything that happens in my world, Nora,” Dominic said, taking a step
closer. “For six years, you turned this cold fortress into a home for my son.
You gave him warmth when I could only give him security. And last Friday, your
little girl saved everything I hold dear. You owe this house nothing. This house
owes you everything.”
May you like
Before I could reply, Marco’s voice crackled through Dominic’s encrypted
earpiece.
“Boss,” Marco reported with urgency. “The Boston team just breached the safe
house. We have Arthur’s daughter. She’s safe, unharmed, and on an inbound
transport. But Rossi wasn't there. He’s already in New York.”
