A mafia boss,a kind girl with a smart mouth,and lots of tension.
Chapter 1 First encounter
Eva Williams was having a day. The kind of day that made her question every life decision that had led her to own a cafe in this particular part of the city. The espresso machine had broken down - again - and one of her regulars, a sweet old man named Mr. Higgins, had knocked over an entire jar of sugar. Her apron was dusted with it, sticking to her skin in the late afternoon heat.As she wiped down the counter with more force than necessary, she noticed a group of men lingering near the door. Big, burly types with leather jackets and an aura that practically screamed trouble.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm. This wasn't the first time she'd seen men like this. Not in this neighborhood.
"Great," she muttered under her breath. "Just what I needed.
"One of the men pushed the door open, setting off the tinkling bell above. He swaggered in, eyes scanning the nearly empty cafe before settling on her. He didn't bother with a polite greeting."We're here to talk about protection," he said, his voice gruff, dripping with implied threats.Eva set down the cloth, meeting his gaze with a steady look. "And I'm here to run a cafe. If you're not ordering, you can see yourself out."The man's eyes widened slightly at her defiance, but his mouth twisted into an amused grin. "Feisty. I like that.
"Before he could say more, the bell tinkled again, and a new figure stepped inside. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a sharp black suit. His presence commanded attention, and the chatter of the few customers in the cafe dropped to a nervous murmur.
Luca Moretti.
Eva recognized him immediately. Everyone in the neighborhood knew who he was - the notorious mafia boss, ruler of the city's underworld, feared by all. She hadn't expected to see him here, not in her humble little cafe. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her face neutral.Luca's dark eyes swept across the room, taking in the scene in an instant. "What's going on?" His voice was calm, almost lazy, but there was an edge to it that sent a shiver down Eva's spine.The man who'd been trying to intimidate Eva straightened up quickly. "Boss, I was just -""Talking to the lady?" Luca cut him off smoothly. "I could hear you from outside." He turned his gaze to Eva, and for a moment, his eyes softened with curiosity. "Is there a problem, Miss...?""Eva," she replied, a hint of challenge in her voice. "No problem. Your friend here was just about to order a coffee or leave. I run a respectable business, and I don't appreciate threats."Luca's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Is that so?" He stepped closer to the counter, his eyes never leaving hers. "You've got a lot of nerve, talking to him like that.""I have more than nerve," Eva shot back, her heart racing but her voice steady. "I have a business to run, and I don't have time for bullies."Luca chuckled, a deep, unexpected sound. The room seemed to relax, just a fraction. "You heard the lady," he said, turning to his man. "Buy a coffee or leave."His subordinate mumbled an apology, clearly embarrassed, and quickly ordered an espresso. Luca watched with amusement before turning back to Eva. "Looks like you've got things under control.""I try," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Anything else I can help you with?"He studied her for a moment, intrigued. "Not today. But I think I'll be back. I like your style."With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Eva staring after him, her heart pounding with a mix of relief and something else she couldn't quite name.