Chapter 4 - The Offer
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I stared at the thick manila envelope on the table. It looked heavier than anything I had ever owned.
"I don't want your money," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Everyone wants money, Maya," Leandro replied smoothly, leaning against my kitchen counter as if he owned the building. "Especially someone who is three months behind on rent and dodging debt collectors."
"I’m not a criminal. I won't do your dirty work."
"I don't need you to shoot anyone." Leandro picked up an apple from my fruit bowl, tossing it lightly in his hand. "I need you to watch my sister. Stella is spiraling. She won't let my men near her, she fires every assistant I hire, and she sneaks out of the estate at night. But you… she hates you. And she's terrified of you."
I frowned, confused. "Why would she hire me if she hates me?"
"Because she’s vain," Leandro said, a dark smile playing on his lips. "I’m going to tell her that I forced you to be her personal maid as punishment for disrespecting her at the restaurant. She’ll love the idea of torturing you daily. And while she’s busy making your life miserable, you are going to find out who she’s buying from, and who she owes money to."
"And if I say no?"
"Then my father finds out about her little problem." Leandro's voice dropped an octave, turning ice-cold. "Arthur Perry doesn't tolerate weakness. If he finds out she's compromised the family business, he won't just disown her. He’ll make an example of her."
I looked from his cold eyes to the envelope of cash. Fifty thousand dollars would wipe out my mother's debt. It would buy me a new life.
"What happens when I find the supplier?" I asked cautiously.
"I handle them," Leandro said simply. The finality in his tone made my stomach churn.
"Fine," I breathed out, my heart hammering against my ribs. "But I want protection. If Stella figures out I'm your spy, she’ll kill me."
May you like
Leandro stepped forward, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made the room feel dangerously small.
"No one," he promised softly, "will ever touch what belongs to me."
