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: