"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

　　I was sitting there, re-tracking my thoughts over the last of the reports on my desk, when I heard a brisk knock on the door to my office. I looked up brow furrowing as Luca stormed inside without invitation.


　　"Dominic," he said, his voice low and laced with aggression. "We need to talk."


　　I leaned back in my chair, nonchalant about it. "Luca, what are you talking about?"


　　But Luca was the last one to beat around the bush. "Quit bullshitting, Dominic. I have eyes; I've seen the way you act around Leila. What's going on between you two?"


　　I exhaled a sigh and rubbed at my temples. "Is there an offense with my maid being around me, and me caring for her, a little bit?"


　　Luca glared at him, his eyes flashing. "A little? I have been watching during the past weeks, the way you have been looking at her, Dominic. I am not an idiot. You are acting all ambiguous, and she knows it."


CHAPTER 44 Out In The Open