Cook for the Mafia Boss

inder of everything she hadn't prepared for, it appeared to taunt her. She held on to it, hoping it would vanish. However, it persisted, unquestionable and unalterable. Her th

overed between them, causing Francesca's body temperature to plummet.yes. Something private. It made her uneasy. She started to reply, but a waiter cut her off by giving her an order. She felt as though Luca's eyes were still on her as she turned away, following her every move. She wice: appraising andke the sensation that he was the only person in the room. His presence was constant throughout the day as he continued to assign her the most important tasks, the ones that put her in charge of everything. Was there more to this than a simple display of respect? Luca eventually located her by the rear entrance. With a low rumble in his voice that made her shudder, he said softly, "I just want to protect you." A beat skipped in Francesca's heart. He had said something she hadn't anticipated. A mixture of comfort and unAlthough Rocco left, his presence lingered in the airin her chest. "Why?" was the question she couldn't help asking herself. "Because you're important to me," he whispered, leaning in and putting his lips to her ear. She was shaken by what he said. She felt a growing sense of uncertainty mixed with a twist of desire and fear. What was it that he truly desired from her? ⸻ Later that afternoon, Luca's façade started to fall apart in the seclusion of his office. "I wasn't always like this," he admitted, his eyes clouded by the weight of something darker and his voice now quieter. Where I'm from, loyalty was paramount. However, the cost... Something deep and painful flickered across his face before vanishing as he trailed off. Attracted to the honesty of his words, Francesca leaned closer. He was more than the icy, cunning individual he seemed to be. He was more complicated, more suffering, more conflict. With caution and a gentle tone, she questioned, "Why stay in this world?" Luca's face briefly displayed the old pain before he covered it up once more. "Because there's no e