She Walked Into the Mafia Boss’s Room to Clean—Then His Family Walked In While He Was Still in a Towel
Chapter 3
The Moretti family dinner that night was supposed to be formal.
It wasn’t.
Bianca spent most of the meal teasing Matteo.
Sofia was only there because the staff rotated service duties.
She tried to stay invisible.
That became impossible when Carlo raised his glass and said,
“To new beginnings.”
Bianca smiled.
“And unexpected bedroom entrances.”
Sofia nearly choked.
Matteo gave his sister a flat stare.
“Bianca.”
“What?”
“You promised.”
“I didn’t promise anything.”
His mother sighed.
Sofia stared at her plate.
Matteo’s younger cousin laughed.
The atmosphere was strangely warm for a family connected to organized crime.
Sofia had expected coldness.
Instead, she discovered something complicated.
They argued.
They teased one another.
They cared about each other.
And Matteo seemed to be the center holding everyone together.
After dinner, Sofia went to the kitchen.
Matteo followed.
“You survived.”
“Barely.”
He smiled.
“Bianca likes you.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“Yes.”
Sofia put plates into the sink.
“Why do you let them tease you?”
“Because they’re family.”
“Even when they’re ridiculous?”
“Especially then.”
She smiled.
Then she looked at him.
“You’re different around them.”
“How?”
“You seem human.”
He stared.
“That was insulting.”
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I know.”
He leaned against the counter.
“Most people only see one side of me.”
“The dangerous side.”
“Yes.”
“What side should I see?”
He looked at her.
“The real one.”
Her heart skipped.
Before she could answer, a loud crash came from the hallway.
Matteo instantly changed.
He moved toward the sound.
“Sofia, stay here.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
He disappeared.
Sofia waited.
Then she heard shouting.
She knew she shouldn’t follow.
She did anyway.
A man had entered through the service corridor.
Matteo’s security team surrounded him.
Sofia stopped.
She had never seen Matteo like this.
Calm.
Cold.
Completely in control.
The intruder shouted,
“Where is the ledger?”
Matteo looked at him.
“You’re in the wrong house.”
The man laughed.
“We know who has it.”
Matteo stepped closer.
“Who?”
The man’s eyes moved toward Sofia.
Her stomach dropped.
Then he said,
“Her.”
Everyone looked at her.
Sofia shook her head.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
The man smiled.
“You will.”
Security dragged him away.
Matteo turned toward Sofia.
“What do you know?”
“Nothing.”
He believed her.
At least, she thought he did.
Then he noticed something.
Her apron pocket.
A small envelope was sticking out.
He pointed.
“What is that?”
Sofia pulled it out.
“I found it on the floor.”
“When?”
“This afternoon.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t know it mattered.”
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Matteo’s father.
A young Sofia’s mother.
And a third man.
Matteo froze.
“Where did you find this?”
“In the library.”
He stared at the image.
His father’s old accountant had disappeared twenty years ago.
Sofia’s mother had worked for the family back then.
He looked at Sofia.
“Your mother knew my father.”
“Yes.”
“You knew?”
“No.”
“Then why was this in your possession?”
“I told you. I found it.”
He believed her.
But something about the photograph frightened him.
Because on the back was written:
When the girl grows up, the truth returns to the house.
Matteo looked at Sofia.
She was clearly frightened.
He folded the photograph.
“Go upstairs.”
“What?”
“Don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Why?”
“Because until I know what it means, I can’t protect you.”
She stared.
“You think I need protection?”
“Yes.”
“From whom?”
He looked toward the hallway.
“Everyone.”
Sofia swallowed.
Then walked away.
Matteo watched her go.
He had spent years believing the Moretti family’s secrets were buried.
Now one had walked into his house wearing a maid’s uniform.
And somehow, he was already more worried about Sofia than the secret itself.
