Something tickles my nose, and I bury my head deeper into the soft pillow.

My fingers grab the sheets and tug them closer around me.

I’m in that delicious state between deep sleep and waking, the time where everything’s warm and fuzzy. It’s a state I’d like to stay in for as long as possible, it being the time of day where life is most delicious.

Random thoughts swirl through me, and I roll over. As I do, my face is assaulted by bright light. I rapidly blink a few times before I finally open my eyes.

The first thing that comes into view is the half drawn, deep purple velvet curtains and the plush matching carpet. This isn’t my apartment.

Fuck.

Toto, I’m not in Kansas any more.

But what had happened?

Shocked, I sit bolt upright.

I stare at my surroundings. Where am I?

It’s a little difficult to remember. Cotton wool is filling my head, and my tongue feels a little fury and heavy in my mouth. In addition, hand grenades are going off in my head with every sudden movement.

Seems like I may have had a few drinks last night. How many exactly escapes me.

And then, it hits me.

I remember. Three brothers, an awesome fuck, a late night, and several bourbons.

Obviously, a few too many drinks by the way I feel this morning.

My insides cringe as I take in the obscene wealth. A massive gold-rimmed mirror hangs across from the bed. The sheets feel of the richest and thickest Egyptian cotton.

I shiver.

Typical.

The brothers surround themselves with these hideous things while their staff lives in squalor. Bastards.

Recalling my assignment, I ignore the hangover and jump out of bed.

I walk to where my clothes are and rummage around.

My mobile phone is not there. It takes me a few seconds before I see it on the mahogany bedside table. I quickly retrieve it.

No doubt, the Senator is waiting for a progress report. Unfortunately, I don’t have much to report. Sure, I’m in the mansion, but nothing has been said about my future.

My heart starts to race as my fingers fumble with the little device. For some reason, it’s not coming to life. Rats.

It must be out of power. And I have no way of recharging it. Total rookie mistake not to come prepared.

For a few minutes, I glare at the black screen, as if willing it to come to life will do so.

It stays black.

Never mind, I’ll have to deal with that later.

The Senator will just have to wait.

Briefly, I wonder what time it is before I decide it must be early in the morning.

The sun seems to just be rising.

I pace around the huge room—though that’s actually an understatement. Upon closer inspection, it looks more like a two-bedroom apartment than one bedroom.

For a lack of something to do, I explore. First thing’s first: the oversized walk in wardrobe. As I open it, I suck in my breath.

Wow. Row after row of clothes stretch out before me.

None of them look like something I’d wear. It’s mainly evening wear.

There are long dresses, red ones, white ones, and black ones. I can see short dresses and high-heeled shoes. Then, my eyes zero in on the underwear.

Holy shit.

Talk about sexy underwear. I pick up the blood-red slip and matching bra.

They did say to help myself to whatever fits.

Okay, so whoever wore this piece didn’t have as much breast as I do, and my ass feels like it might fall out—but heck, it’s only for today.

After a while, I even find a crop top and another stretch short skirt. This will have to do. Better than my rather tattered and stained clothes from last night.

I tiptoe down the stairs and look around.

Opulent fucking wealth everywhere I look. It makes me sick how these guys just exploit their workers and other innocent people. But it doesn’t matter to me—I’ve got no evidence to support my thesis yet.

I know what I know. And what I know is the Monatello brothers run gambling outfits, prostitution, and loan businesses. It’s not like they’re in the trenches, working themselves.

The thought of the brothers working in their own establishment brings a smile to my face.

Wouldn’t that be turning the tables on them?

I hear a sound from a room on the ground floor.

Briefly, I pause. Yep. It sounds like there might be a kitchen.

The low growl from my stomach reminds me that I’m hungry. Maybe there’s some food. Surely the brothers employ a cook, or something?

For a second or two, I hover on the last step. I look left and right.

Should I see if I could find something, since I’m already here? Generally, I grab any opportunity that presents itself. But right now, I’m not sure I can.

I glance down my front.

Even if I find something, what the fuck am I going to do with it?

Commit it to memory would be the only thing I could do. But the Senator will want cold-hard evidence. With my phone out of action, I’m forced to put any snooping on hold ‘til I’ve got myself a bit better organized.

The kitchen it is.

On the way there, I see their games room with a huge pool table and what looks like a home theatre system. I do some mental arithmetic of how much you could do with the money if you sold some of these toys.

As I pass the library, I’m reminded of last night. My insides instantly turn to putty.

Boy, it was fucking awesome. Those brothers were something else.

If I had to choose between them, I couldn’t. Of course, even thinking about choosing between them is silly. There’s no way I’d ever fall for any of them, and there’s no way they’re going to fall for someone like me.

What did the men always say to me?

“You’re hard work Sofia, you know that, don’t you?”

Purely business, Sofia, purely business, I remind myself.

I force a smile to my face as I finally enter the kitchen.

To my utter surprise, I don’t find a cook in there at all.