Maid For The Mafia by Alice Boone
I CAN'T LOVE YOU— NOT IF IT COSTS MY FAMILY'S SAFETY
Terrance
Men like me, we don't marry the maid.
I've spent my life building an image of brutality. My word is law in this city, and perfection is the only thing I'll accept— from my men, from my family, from you. When Jackie sold you to me, I thought I was buying a silent servant. Your job is simple, Selina:
Keep this place in order
And keep out of my life.
Why is that so hard for you to understand? It doesn't matter how bad I want you, Selina. We can't be together. Involving you in this mess would mean sacrificing control, and I can't afford that. If the world finds out that I can't stop thinking about you, that I can't stop needing you, I'll lose everything.
Keeping you here is tearing me apart,
But I'll never let you go.
Selina
How am I supposed to tell you the truth?
Toronto left me burned. I've been used and abused by an entire city, and this was supposed to be a fresh start. I had hope for a new life, but loving you means throwing all that away.
I want the real you— not the image you've worked so hard to build. You say you want me, but if pictures from the past are enough to break your trust, how can I believe that? If you want a life with me, you'll have to learn to let go of your pride, to stand as the man you are instead of the one the world wants you to be.
Because I won't be treated like that again, Terry.
Not by you.
