Chapter 1 - The Maid With the Broken Arm
"A broken arm, a bloodstained uniform, and fifteen dangerous men who thought they could do whatever they wanted to a helpless maid. That was the nightmare I was hiding inside a storage room at my billionaire mafia boss's mansion, terrified that speaking up would cost me my job. But when Damon Blackwell discovered what they'd done to me, he made one phone call—and ordered his men to find everyone responsible before sunrise.
My name is Kate Bennett, and at twenty-six, I had learned that surviving sometimes meant staying invisible.
I worked as a maid at the Blackwell estate, where wealthy politicians, businessmen, and dangerous men attended parties worth more than I earned in a year.
That evening, nearly three hundred guests filled the mansion. Champagne flowed, a string quartet played, and I was hiding on the third floor with my broken arm pressed against my ribs.
Blood had soaked through my white uniform.
Every breath sent pain shooting through my shoulder, but I couldn't scream.
I couldn't afford to lose this job.
My mother had been hospitalized at Saint Vincent's for fourteen months. Her medical bills had climbed past $71,000, while my bank account held barely $1,100.
My phone vibrated.
Mom.
I couldn't answer because she'd hear me crying, so I typed with my left hand.
At work, Mom. Call you at midnight. Love you.
Then I tried lifting my injured arm.
The bone shifted, and a small cry escaped my throat.
The storage-room door opened.
""I'll be right out,"" I whispered. ""I'm sorry, sir.""
The door closed behind someone.
Then I heard the lock turn.
""Kate.""
My stomach dropped.
Damon Blackwell.
Thirty-four years old, six-foot-four, and one of the most feared mafia bosses in America.
""Mr. Blackwell, I just needed a minute.""
""Turn around, Kate. Please.""
I'd never heard that man say please.
Slowly, I faced him, hiding my injured arm behind my back.
His eyes immediately found the blood on my sleeve.
""Show me.""
""It's nothing. I hit a doorframe.""
""Kate.""
My eyes filled with tears.
""Please don't fire me. My mother needs treatment.""
Damon studied my face.
""Your mother is at Saint Vincent's. Her bills reached seventy-one thousand dollars last month.""
I froze.
""How do you know that?""
""I know who's depending on the people working in my house.""
He stepped closer.
""Now show me your arm.""
I finally raised it.
My wrist bent unnaturally, purple bruises covered my skin, and four dark fingerprints marked my upper arm.
Damon went completely still.
""Who did this?""
I shook my head.
""His father is downstairs. His family has judges and politicians. Nobody will believe me.""
""I believe you.""
Those three words nearly broke me.
""Tell me his name.""
""Preston Caldwell.""
Damon's expression didn't change.
""Was he alone?""
""No. Three men were in the library. Others were outside.""
My voice cracked.
""They were saying horrible things. Preston grabbed me, and when I tried to get away, he broke my arm.""
Damon crouched in front of me without touching me.
""Kate, you did nothing wrong.""
Then he took out his phone.
""Bring Dr. Reyes and Matteo to the third-floor storage room. Immediately.""
He paused before issuing another order.
""Pull every camera recording from the last four hours. Guest lists, license plates, everyone who entered with Preston Caldwell.""
His voice became frighteningly quiet.
""I want every name before sunrise.""
I stared at him.
Then he added:
""Pay her mother's hospital bills tonight. All of them. Prepay another year.""
Tears rolled down my face.
""Why are you doing this?""
Damon looked at my broken arm.
""Because someone hurt you in my home.""
A knock interrupted us.
Three taps.
A pause.
Two more.
Damon opened the door, and three men entered. Dr. Reyes hurried toward me while Matteo waited for instructions.
I heard Damon whisper one final order.
""Find every man involved. I don't care where they are.""
Matteo nodded.
""By sunrise, boss?""
Damon glanced back at me.
Then his eyes turned cold.
""By sunrise.""
May you like
And as the doctor carefully cut my bloodstained sleeve away, I realized the most dangerous man in that mansion wasn't the one who'd broken my arm.
He was the one who had just learned his name.
