uildings of New York. The streets were alive with the usual chaos- honking taxis, pedestrians weaving between

ed from stone, fingers drumming once against the leather seat before stilling completely. Whatever

She had spent years learning how to read men like him- powerful, ruthless, unpredictable. Luca Montell

etal. The estate beyond it was nothing short of a fortress, even larger than the one they

. "I assume this isn'

but the smile didn't reach hi

iveway. Luca stepped out first, offering her his hand. Maria hesitate

chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting fractured light over the marble floors. Several men we

nter of the room, his presence commanding even without a word. Silver hair, dark eyes, and a

's f

a man who trusted no one. "So, this is

e without flinchi

st thing to amusement she suspecte

htly, placing himself bet

s son. "And yet, there are t

. Maria refused to look away.

ne of the men standing nearby. A folder was placed

rveillance photo. A man, half-hidden in the shadows

ticked. "

folder. "We don't know. But he

r arms. "Then he

ng unreadable flickering in

"Regardless, he's a threat. A

ver the man was, he wouldn't liv

st hers briefly before he st

or a moment, then nod

suffocating, even with all its grandeur. She had spent years in houses like these-pal

you're plotti

ling, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. His usual s

If I were, would

rette, exhaling the smoke into the ni

le tugged at he

the railing. "You know, most women

nly. "Most women don't

or a moment before n

before Maria finally asked, "

ate, as if considering the qu

ted. "And yo

oftened slightly

er chest. She wasn't sure

stood, back straight, chin lifted, reminded him that she had been ra

d be insid

"You should stop te

ly. "Defiance won

, dark eyes flashing. "

Luca moved closer, the space between

d, but she refused to

h so light she almost doubted it happened. "If I

. Not from fear, but from s

. "Then I suppose I

ked. "Gratitude

them crackled, cha

tepped back. "G

ide him. This marriage was supposed to be a contract. A necessity. But M