Chapter 7: The Raven's Nest  

There was nothing I could do. Fighting or trying to escape would only put me at unnecessary risk.  

The sun was beginning to break over the horizon, and my body was already showing signs of exhaustion from all the stress I had been forced to endure.  

I forced myself to stay awake, watching the path the car followed.  

Gradually, we moved away from central London, heading toward the upscale suburbs. Mansions of various styles appeared until we entered the famous Billionaires' Row. That place was known for its top-level security, as well as guaranteeing the privacy of its residents.  

The car stopped in front of a large mansion with a modern, imposing facade that reminded me very much of the Raven of Red Eyes himself. The journey didn’t seem to have taken more than thirty minutes.  

The door on my side was opened, and two men stared at me with coldness. I crawled out, looking around. Armed men, security cameras—the place seemed to have monitoring tighter than a bank.  

“Move it,” One of the men pushed me toward the door, nearly making me stumble. “We have more important things to do.”  

As I walked, I noticed there were no nearby neighbors, which heightened the feeling that I was a prisoner in that place.  

The front door opened, and a man with gray hair, a firm posture, and an indifferent gaze appeared, dressed in elegant clothing that made him look like a gentleman from the past century.  

“Miss Reed,” the man at the door said with a slight bow, which I had no idea how to respond to. “Master Moore informed us of your arrival; please, follow me.”  

I glanced at the men who had been escorting me, but they had already walked away without a word. Inside the house, the man coughed.  

“Miss, we don’t have all day. If you could move a bit faster, I’d appreciate it.”  

We walked in silence through the mansion. My eyes were drawn to the luxury and ostentation that emanated from every inch of that place, so different from the house where I grew up.  

Pure white marble floors that gleamed, walls in neutral tones, elegant furniture that didn’t overwhelm the open, airy spaces. Even the books on the shelves seemed meticulously arranged.  

How was it possible for a place like this to exist? I was simply afraid to breathe and ruin something.  

While in Diane’s house, everything seemed too big for the small space, with furniture and decorations clashing in chaotic decor, Cassian’s house overflowed with elegance and refinement. However, there was something odd about it all. There wasn’t a single family photo or even one of Cassian. Only paintings covered the smooth walls of that house.  

“Does Mr. Moore live alone here?” I asked, stepping a bit closer to the man guiding me. He threw a warning glance over his shoulder, and I backed off.  

“The master owns several residences; this is one of them. It’s not the official family residence.” I nodded in agreement and fell silent again.  

It was clear that questions weren’t allowed in that place. I preferred it that way myself. There was no reason to know more about the head of London’s most dangerous mafia family. I should just focus on earning the points, clearing the debt, and leaving that place as quickly as possible.  

We entered the kitchen, and right in the center of that room stood three people. A woman in a soiled apron, a man in worn clothes, and a large, intimidating man wearing a suit with a headset dangling from his left ear.  

“These are the main staff of the Moore mansion. Amalia is the cook; she prepares all the master’s meals. Douglas is the gardener and is responsible for implementing security and containment measures in the gardens, and Nikolas is the enforcer in charge of the property’s and surrounding area’s security.”  

I tried to offer a friendly smile, but none of them seemed happy with my presence.  

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Lilian Reed,” I said, trying to project my voice as best I could.  

“My name is Maurice; I am the head of the staff and your direct superior from now on.” I nodded in agreement, and then Maurice turned and left the kitchen without another word. I followed him, still feeling a bit uncomfortable with the situation.  

“Excuse me,” I said as I hurried to catch up with him. “I still don’t know what my role here will be or how things will work.”  

Maurice stopped and looked at me over his shoulder.  

“You will do whatever the master orders you to do. Disobedience is not tolerated, nor is any form of betrayal. That’s how things work here.”  

A cold shiver ran up my spine.  

“Okay. I understand.” Maurice resumed walking, and I remained silent.  

We reached a narrow corridor deeper in the mansion, with several doors on the left side. Maurice stopped in front of one of them and opened it, motioning for me to enter.  

The room was larger than the one I had in Peckham. The light walls brought a soft air to the space; the bed was in one corner, while a decent-sized dresser occupied the other side. The window overlooked the garden at the back of the property.  

There were no locks on the windows or doors, which piqued my curiosity about the dynamics of that place.  

Either Cassian believed I wouldn’t be able to escape, or he had some kind of plan in case I tried.  

“This will be your room, for now. For today, rest until the master requests your presence.” Without any farewell or welcome, the butler closed the door with a loud thud, leaving me completely alone.  

I sighed, feeling the tension dissipate.  

I fell back onto the bed, my body relaxing into the softness of the mattress, but soon other thoughts invaded my mind. I sat up on the bed, pulling my knees against my chest and resting my head on them, watching the morning sun warm the garden grass.  

“What do I have to do to earn points from him? Maybe organize documents for him? No… better not to be an accomplice to anything illegal.” I stood up, pacing back and forth in the room. “Maybe help with meetings… but that would be the same as the documents. Ah!” I rubbed my head, messing up my hair even more. “Chloe would know what to do…”  

Thinking of my friend made my heart ache.  

The door suddenly opened, and a woman with blonde hair looked me up and down. She flashed a smile that, to an outsider, might seem kind, but her intentions were as clear as glass.  

“You must be the new employee. I’ve come to bring you your uniform.” She entered and placed a package on my bed. “The butler sent word that the master’s room needs to be tidied before he arrives.” I raised an eyebrow, recalling Maurice’s words before he left me.  

“But he told me to wait until Mr. Moore calls for me,” I questioned suspiciously. The woman’s smile didn’t falter for even a second.  

“It’s normal for things to change here from one moment to the next. You need to be prepared for that, dear.” She turned and walked gracefully to the door. “I’ll wait for you to change, then I’ll take you to the master’s quarters.”  

The door closed, and I didn’t know what to do.  

If that was a lie, I’d be in trouble if I were caught in Cassian’s room. But if she was telling the truth, I’d be punished for disobeying. No matter which angle I looked at it, I’d end up disadvantaged in some way.  

I put on the old-fashioned clothes—a long black dress with a white apron. I tied my red hair into a tight bun and glanced in the mirror. My green eyes showed deep dark circles from lack of sleep, and my skin was much paler than usual, but there was nothing to be done.  

I gave my face a few light slaps, searching for strength to keep standing and moving forward. I couldn’t give up, not yet.  

I was ready. I turned to leave, but the door was brutally flung open, slamming hard against the wall and making me jump back, nearly falling from the shock. I looked ahead in alarm, trying to figure out what was happening.