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Eden walks to the narrow area where we have aprons hanging on hooks and quickly dons one. She swings her braid over her shoulder and gives me an eager look. Based on what she’s told me she’s good at, I’m going to predict this woman is one hell of a hard worker.
“You look ready to work, but I said we eat first.” I point to a stool by the counter. “Sit.”
For the first time, she hesitates before obeying me.
“I can wait to eat,” she says slowly, as if carefully selecting her words. “I trespassed, Sergio. I shouldn’t have stayed in that room without asking you, and I know it. Let me pay you back.”
I give her a hard look. “You will, but you’re no use to me if you faint on the job.”
This makes her smile. “Oh, I can go a lot longer thanthatwithout eating. I’ve gone for days…” As soon as she says it, she looks as if she wants to take the words back.
I, on the other hand, would like her to keep speaking. What thefuckis that about? “Days? Why’s that?”
When she clamps her mouth shut, I want to shake her.
“Eden.”
“My parents were strict,” is all she says.
There’s something eerily not right about this picture. Something not right at all.
“I see.” I blow out a breath. “So were mine.” My mother preferred the broom closet and my father his belt, though neither favored starvation. I mean, we’re Italian. We like our food. It probably seemed like cruel and unusual punishment to take it away.
I grumble at her. I don’t remember the last time I had to tell someone to do something twice. “Now sit.”
“With all due respect, Sergio, I have some pride.”
She did not just talk back to me.
She did.
I stare at her, abashed. Half a minute ago she was allyes, sir,and quiet as a church mouse, but this woman has a fucking spine.
She doesn’t know who I am,I remind myself.She has no idea.
Is she the first woman I’ve met that doesn’t?
Out of sheer curiosity, I let her continue.
Taking in a deep breath, she lets it out and gives me a patient look. “I know I should not have been in that room. You have every right to call the police. It was trespassing. I’m uncomfortable knowing I owe you, so I’m going to cook before I eat. I promise, I won’t faint like a wilting flower.”
I’m a little surprised she has the nerve to talk back to me. To tellmewhat she’s going to do. Most people aren’t ballsy enough.
Everyone obeys me.Everyone.Not only does my entire staff of five dozen, an entire army of Montavio family made men, and my entire family obey me, I’ve got the chief of police, Monsignor at the Cathedral, and the mayor in my pocket.
There’s a flash of defiance in her eyes while she holds my gaze. I wait for her to obey me, to overcome the resistance and cave.
She doesn’t.
And holy hell if the thought of dominating this woman, of earning the inherent trust a relationship with someone like her wouldtake—
“Sit, please,” she repeats. Thankful none of my men are here to see this when she points to a chair and… I sit.
I fold my hands in my lap and stare. Now this is new territory for me.
“Thank you.” Her words are gentle but laced with steel, a woman in full command of the situation. I already know she’s been hurt, possibly abused, maybe even beaten down. I don’t know where she came from or where she’s going, but I do know one thing: a man that earned the trust of a woman like her would feel like he’d conquered the goddamn universe.
I watch in wonder as she tightens the apron ties around her waist and does a quick inventory of the kitchen. We just restocked our store of premium Italian imported products as well as staples.
