Page 21 of Daddies of the Underworld

7

NINA

Great. Just when I thought I understood the game they were playing, they changed the rules. So was I supposed to go back to being a servant tonight?

I’d been too shaken to ask. Maybe that had been Luca’s intention, to knock me out of my shock by giving me something else to think about.

It worked. I kind of hated him for that.

I managed to make it into my room and across to the window seat before a knock came at my door. “It’s open.” I called out for no other reason than I didn’t want to cross the room again.

One of the guards cracked the door open and frowned at me. “It would be best if you did not shout that.”

“Why? Isn’t that why you’re here? To keep people who don’t belong out of my room?” I was being rude.

I knew it but I couldn’t help it.

A sigh closed my eyes. I could help it. I was choosing to lash out at this poor man because he was a convenient target. He was as stuck here as me. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

His mouth fell open with a little pop before he smiled and shook his head. He pushed the door all the way open, letting Rosa and another woman walk into the room.

“What now?” I grumbled under my breath, but Rosa’s lifted eyebrows said she heard.

Great.

I was starting to sound as petty as the men downstairs. I needed time to think and everyone kept interrupting me.

I needed to consider how and why someone had accessed my employment record. There was every possibility that I was right and it was all fine and innocent.

That one percent chance it was nefarious kept me pinned beneath a weight.

“Up.” Rosa snapped her fingers. “Enough of this moping. You are Cinderella tonight.” That tense, narrow-eyed glare locked on. “Tonight, Elspa transforms you into the princess.”

“No.” I held a pillow to my stomach. “I thought I was supposed to work tonight.”

She snorted so hard Elspa grinned. “You will do no such thing. Tonight, you become the elite.” With that, she clapped. “Now get up.”

I stared at her, then the garment rack Elspa wheeled in. “This is a terrible idea.” I had no idea how to function at one of these things outside my comfortable uniform.

“Many terrible ideas come beautifully dressed.” Elspa reached into one bag and pulled out a waterfall of dark green silk that shimmered in the light. “This one is yours.”

I’d never seen anything like this, much less touched it. To have it on my body? I shuddered with a mix of excitement and fear. It had to cost a fortune. Anyone could see that. They’d also know that I was a fraud in that dress, but oh, how I wanted to wear it.

Just once I wanted to be the princess Rosa implied. “Why?” The question came out sharp, but I couldn’t smooth it even if I tried. “Why would they do this? Someone is looking for me. Shouldn’t I be kept hidden?”

Rosa stiffened, shooting a look at Elspa. “Hidden things make people curious. Protected things make people cautious.”

Protected. I’d told Luca that was what I wanted, to be protected and safe.

They offered me that while also making me feel like a roast lamb dressing up for the slaughter. “Then I guess we’d better make sure they’re cautious enough to leave me alone.”

That was all the encouragement Rosa and Elspa needed. I was made to bathe again, then Elspa worked on my hair and makeup before Rosa helped me into the dress and zipped it up.

It fit too well for something off the rack. Almost like it had been made for me. But how was that possible?

Dark green silk draped from a square neckline to a narrow waist, then fell in a smooth sweep to the floor.

Looking at myself in the mirror, a stranger stared back.