Chapter 6 - The Silk Dress and the Silver Bullet
The next evening, the grand dining room of the Moretti mansion glittered under crystal chandeliers.
Men in expensive tuxedos and women in designer gowns mingled over glasses of vintage champagne.
At the center of it all stood Marcus Vance, laughing loudly and shaking hands.
Upstairs in a guest suite, Maya stared at her reflection in utter disbelief.
On the bed lay a stunning emerald-green silk gown.
Accompanied by a note written in crisp, elegant handwriting:
Wear this. You are no longer a housekeeper tonight.
Maya groaned.
She had tried to argue earlier, but Adrien’s head of security had simply delivered the dress and locked the door from the outside.
“Typical mafia boss behavior,” Maya muttered, stepping into the gown.
It fit her curves as if it had been tailored specifically for her body.
She slipped on a pair of black velvet heels and let her dark curls cascade freely down her shoulders.
When she finally descended the grand staircase, every conversation in the ballroom instantly died.
Heads turned.
Jaws dropped.
Marcus Vance stared in open admiration.
Even the armed guards at the doors blinked in astonishment.
At the far end of the room stood Adrien Moretti.
He wore a midnight-black tuxedo that accentuated his powerful build.
His dark eyes locked onto Maya the moment she stepped onto the marble floor.
He did not smile.
But his gaze burned with an intensity that made her knees weak.
Adrien walked straight toward her through the crowd of elite criminals and politicians.
He stopped right in front of her, offering his arm.
“You clean up remarkably well, Miss Collins,” Adrien murmured, his voice a low rumble meant only for her.
“You clean up like a mob boss straight out of a movie,” Maya whispered back, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm.
“Because I am one,” Adrien replied smoothly, leading her toward the center of the room.
Marcus Vance stepped forward, raising his champagne glass with a slick smile.
“Adrien,” Marcus said smoothly.
“I didn't realize we had such... stunning new company tonight.”
Adrien’s grip on Maya’s arm tightened just a fraction.
“Marcus,” Adrien’s voice was ice-cold.
“Allow me to introduce the newest addition to our inner circle.”
Marcus smiled, extending a hand toward Maya.
“And what department do you manage, my dear?”
Maya smiled sweetly, slipping her hand into his for a brief handshake.
“Auditing,” Maya replied evenly.
May you like
“Specifically... fraudulent invoices.”
Marcus’s smile vanished instantly.
