Chapter 5 - The Makeover
The next morning began before the sun even crested the horizon.
A team of severe women entered Maya's luxurious guest room carrying garment bags.
They did not speak to her as they scrubbed her skin and aggressively styled her hair.
They dressed her in a dark emerald gown made of heavy silk that clung perfectly to her curves.
They placed a diamond necklace around her throat that felt more like a collar than jewelry.
Maya stared at her reflection in the full length mirror and did not recognize herself.
The exhausted waitress was completely gone.
She looked exactly like a woman who ordered executions before breakfast.
Dominic entered the room and stopped dead in his tracks.
His dark eyes swept over her body with an intensity that made Maya's breath catch in her throat.
He offered her his arm and said it was time to meet the guests.
They walked into the massive dining room which had been converted into a boardroom.
Five men from the Neapolitan cartel were already seated around the mahogany table.
Maya stood beside Dominic and prepared to translate the complex negotiations.
She looked at the men across the table and tried to maintain a blank expression.
Her eyes suddenly locked onto a man standing in the shadows near the back door.
He was older and his face was weathered from years of heavy drinking and violence.
Maya felt all the blood rush out of her head in a dizzying wave.
It was her father.
He was the man who had abandoned her and Sophie in Naples over a decade ago.
His eyes widened in absolute shock when he recognized his daughter standing next to the syndicate boss.
Maya gripped the edge of the table to keep herself from collapsing.
Her father slowly raised his hand and tapped his index finger against his throat.
It was a silent street threat meaning he was going to kill someone.
Dominic noticed her trembling and placed his warm hand firmly on her lower back.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear to ask if something was wrong.
Maya knew if she told Dominic the truth he would execute her father right here in the dining room.
May you like
She forced a fake smile and told Dominic everything was perfectly fine.
Her father slipped out the back door and disappeared into the sprawling estate.
