"One million," A man seated at the corner of the room called out, raising his paddle.
My heart pounded louder with each bid. The men sneered, their eyes devouring me like I was a piece of meat. My body trembled as I rubbed my sweaty hands on my clothes.
The bids went higher and higher until there were just two men left. 
"Three million," the chubby man declared, impatient evident in his tone.
There was silence in the room for a moment.
"Five million," A stranger countered, raising his paddle. 
My eyes widened in shock as I tried to figure out who this stranger was. The room was filled with murmurs and no one could counter the stranger. 
The auctioneer's gavel slammed down. 
"Sold!" 
***
Leila Flynn, 19 years old, struggles to keep her ailing brother alive, and her life takes a dark turn when she is suddenly kidnapped into London's underworld auction. During the auction, she is bought for a high price by a mysterious and wealthy stranger, Dominic Anderson. Leila is then taken to a grand mansion in London, where she begins a complex relationship with Dominic.
Dominic, a powerful mafia boss, lives a life shrouded in mystery and danger. Leila gradually discovers that Dominic's concern for her and her younger brother, Michael- who suffers from leukemia- goes beyond mere kindness. Under Dominic's protection, Leila tries to uncover his true intentions while also developing a subtle emotional connection with his brother, Luca.
In this dangerous game of love, betrayal, and revenge, Leila must decide whether to place her trust in Dominic or sever all ties with his perilous world once and for all.

Maid for the Mafia

　　We'd entered the store when that feeling of something wrong just wouldn't leave me. I couldn't quite figure out what it was.


　　That's when it hit me. Mr. Anderson hadn't said one word about this shopping extravaganza. Luca had done all that talking and convincing. I didn't get direct permission from Mr. Anderson. What if he didn't want me to go? What if this was some sort of misunderstanding?


　　My heart kicked up a racing beat again, and naked, I felt vulnerable. Wrong.


　　Luca saw me hesitate and gave me a little shove. "Hey, what's wrong?"


　　"Nothing," I lied, fighting to steady my breath. "I just. I'm not used to this, that's all."


　　He kept staring at my face for another second before he finally gave me that reassuring smile. "It's cool, Leila. We're here having fun. There's no pressure involved."


　　I nodded, but that gnawing in my gut just wouldn't disappear. I tried shaking it out of my head and focusing on that moment, but it clung to me like my shadow.


CHAPTER 12 A friend?