Maria's Heart

Luca's driver would be outside in fifteen minutes. She had spent the entire day second-guessing her decisio

rs-her professional armor-lined the racks, along with a few casual piec

too revealing. Pairing it with a gold necklace and black heels, she caught a glimpse o

n. This time it wasn'

el

ce said. "This is Antonio. I'm outside,

lity of the situation hitti

-

into th

used the night before. Antonio, the driver, stepped out t

murmured, sliding

t of leather and Luca's cologne lingered faintly in the air, a

, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her. The city ligh

're going?" she asked

rror. "You'll find out soon enough, Miss

he window, her mind racing with possibilities. Was this a

-

pected

silently, revealing a long driveway lined with neatly trimmed hedges and flickering lanterns. The house at

e and opened her door. "Mr. DeL

driveway. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of

foyer. He was dressed in a tailored navy suit, his silver tie catching the light. Hi

said, his voice

admitted, her lips curv

r mind," Luca replied, st

-

e of O

lings, ornate chandeliers, and marble floors stretched out in every direc

g table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, but instead of taking a seat, Luca guided her to

this?" Maria asked, gest

e into her glass. "Only wh

ushed, and she qu

-

with

y truffle sauce. Maria was reluctant to admit how mu

r liking," Luca sai

ting her fork down. "But I doubt yo

swirling his wine glass thought

er instincts kicking i

were sharp. "Because I see something

t how?" s

t flinch in the face of danger. You question everything

smiss his words as manipulation, but the

ing herself to stay grounded.

someone like you," Luca repli

ed. "Need m

ing room burst open. A man in a dark suit stro

aid, glancing nervously at Ma

-

se of t

instant. The warmth he had shown Maria

moment," he said,

ity piqued despite herself. She waited a few minutes, then stood

or. She stopped just short of an open door, peeking

gerous than the last. Maps and documents were spread out

ying, his voice low but commanding. "If Domini

sing. This wasn't just dinner. This was Luca's world-th

breath catching when she b

ing th

anding behind her, his expression

dn't me

ening. "I told you I wanted you to see the real

rching for answers. "Why did yo

rust," he said simply. "And I t

her mind racing. She had stepped into the l

eavy with meaning. Trust was a dangerous thing in her line of work, a

offer you," Maria said cautiously

ive. Insight. Honesty. You see the world differently than t

g her arms as if the gesture could s

n't afraid to challenge me is... refreshing," Luca repl

before she could respond, the man fr

gent. "We need to move quickly. Dom

He gave the man a curt nod b

being cut short," he said.

guard by the abrupt change

mly. He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto he

e strange sense of safety she felt in his pres

voice softening. "I'l

-

of Unc

hind the wheel as they sped through the city. Her mind was a

And why had Luca been so ad

n who had so effortlessly turned her world upside down. She stepped out of the car,

off her heels and sank onto the couch, her fingers brushing aga

ld, trust

assing moment. Luca was dangerous, yes-but there was something else about

houghts. She glanced at the screen, her

onight. Sweet dr

for a long time, her hea

-

ic's

ng at his skin. The sound of waves crashing against the pier

ed by the dim light of the lampposts. Luca's own men flanked hi

," Luca said, his

one of his men asked, glancing

odded. "Dominic crossed a line. He n

o groups reached its peak. Dominic emerged from t

with mockery. "The mighty Luca DeLuca graces us

, his tone sharp. "You've been testin

"You think you can scare me? You'r

apons drawn. But Luca remained calm, his calculated deme

-

ornin

ng incessantly on the nightstand. She groa

el

stant said, her voice urgent.

oice. She grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV, her b

cks: Police Investigating P

ontation-shattered crates, bloodstains on

zed the location. She didn't need any

d again, this t

on't worry a

ss of relief, anger, and confusion. She had been dragg

held, but one thing was certain: