Page 4

“Really?” Meo asked. “What is your impression, Sesto? Sorry, I was away this past week. I didn’t know Heath made changes in the staff.”

“Thank you for asking, Master Meo. I’m enjoying my work.”

Meo grinned. “You’re so polite, dear Sesto. Adorable.”

He picked up a glass I had poured and tilted it in a cheers gesture. “Welcome to the upper floor.”

I would have answered more eloquently than another, stammered “Thank you,” but Brooks chose the moment to step behind Meo and sneak his hand under Meo’s tank top. He circled his fingers around Meo’s nipple while Meo drank the outrageously expensive champagne, gazing at me. The white top made Meo’s dark skin glow with honey tones, and I wondered if he smelled like honey, too.

I blinked and dropped my gaze. My hands trembled when I placed the cheese plate, strawberries, and cutlery on the serving table. And done. I wasn’t expected to wait around and refill the glasses unless it was dinner service.

I bowed to no one in particular and began inching toward the door.

“Sesto?” Elliot called.

“Yes, Lord Elliot?”

Oh God. Angelo was sitting astride Elliot. The bows were now untied, the edge of the panties peeking out from underneath Angelo’s silky thigh. He was kissing Elliot’s throat and rocking in his lap as if they were…

But they were all omegas?

Elliot stroked Angelo’s ass cheeks even as he spoke to me.

“I forgot earlier. I think His Lordship will enjoy a bottle of beer when he arrives. The ale he likes. What’s the brand?”

“Gray Hunter, Lord Elliot.”

“Good. Bring that.”

“Yes, Lord Elliot.”

Before I could look away, Elliot parted his mouth, and Angelo thrust his tongue inside. He moaned and pushed his hips forward.

I felt a little dizzy when I strode down the long hallway.

His Lordship’s companions were all so pretty. And seeing them like that made me feel strange things. A twist low in my belly. A prickling heat across my scalp and down my spine. I knew His Lordship treated all of them as husbands—equal, adored, shared. He had sex with all five. I hadn’t grown up in a monastery; I knew what sex was. An alpha like His Lordship would have plenty of it. But I didn’t know that the omegas would touch each other that way, in front of each other, and in front of me. How Elliot and Angelo kissed, and Angelo was now naked… Did they do things together? What kind of things? What were they doing now when I’d left?

My throat was dry. My trousers felt uncomfortably tight, and I didn’t dare adjust them. My palms were damp as I clung to the cool metal bar of the drink trolley.

I pressed my lips together and paused, closing my eyes.

None of this was my business.

I would fetch the beer. Gray Hunter, the ale His Lordship liked. I would collect any dirty dishes, and then leave again—without seeing, hearing, or feeling anything that had nothing to do with my work.

Three minutes later, I brought the ale. I didn’t see Angelo rocking in Elliot’s lap, nor Elliot’s hand thrusting between Angelo’s smooth ass cheeks. I didn’t hear Angelo’s moans. I didn’t see Brooks kissing Meo, pinching his exposed nipples, purple with blood. Master Raphael thanked me as I set the beer on the serving table. He was lounging on the sofa, one hand inside his pants. I bowed and left.

2

I’d been working on the upper floor for three weeks.

The things I’d seen and heard haunted me, and I couldn’t tell anyone. It was torture. I dreamed colorful dreams that left me drenched in sweat and aching inside. I was pretty sure I’d lost weight.

All the other servants envied me, but I dreaded every visit to the sunroom or the salon. And the main bedroom. God help me.

Once, I walked into the salon to find His Lordship reading a book. He’d ordered tea, so I served it to him. It should have been an easy task.

He looked up as I approached and offered me a warm, effortless smile.