Chapter 1
THREE FAMILIES REJECTED A LITTLE GIRL IN A WHEELCHAIR, BUT WHEN THE MOST FEARED MAFIA BOSS KNELT BEFORE HER, FIVE WORDS BROKE HIS HEART.
Three families rejected me at the orphanage because I was six years old and used a wheelchair, and one wealthy woman even said I wasn't worth the trouble. But when New York's most terrifying mafia boss arrived, he ignored every other child, knelt in front of me, and heard five words that made the ruthless man question everything he believed about family.
***
My name is Lily Harper.
I was six years old, with soft golden curls, big innocent blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and a pale blue princess dress.
I lived at St. Jude's Children's Home in New York.
My best friend was a worn teddy bear named Mr. Bear.
He had one missing button eye.
But he never left me.
That Saturday was Adoption Day.
Every little girl wore her prettiest dress.
Every little boy combed his hair.
And I sat beside the window, hoping someone would finally choose me.
Three families came.
Three families walked away.
The last woman looked beautiful in her expensive pink coat.
“What's your name, sweetheart?”
“Lily! I'm six!”
She smiled.
Then noticed my wheelchair.
Her expression changed.
Her husband frowned.
“Does she need special care?”
The volunteer smiled gently.
“Lily is bright, independent, and a wonderful artist.”
“I didn't ask about her drawings,” he snapped. “I asked how much trouble she'll be.”
His wife pulled him away.
“Come on, darling. We need a normal child.”
I stared at my little hands.
I wanted to tell them I could draw beautiful butterflies.
That I loved bedtime stories.
That I could make the funniest animal noises.
But they were already gone.
I hugged Mr. Bear and rolled beneath the old oak tree.
Then three enormous black SUVs entered the courtyard.
Everything went silent.
Armed men stepped out.
And behind them came the biggest man I'd ever seen.
Dominic Moretti.
Thirty-eight years old.
Six-foot-five, with massive shoulders, a muscular chest, powerful tattoo-covered arms, and cold gray eyes.
He ruled New York's most feared mafia empire.
Even the orphanage director trembled when he approached.
He had come to deliver supplies and fund renovations through his late mother's foundation.
But then he noticed me sitting alone.
“Why is that little girl by herself?”
The director hesitated.
“Families find her condition difficult.”
Dominic's jaw tightened.
“Did anyone ask what she wants?”
Nobody answered.
He walked toward me.
Then lowered his enormous body onto one knee.
“Hello, princess.”
I stared at the black tattoos covering his hands.
“Are you a bad man?”
His mouth twitched.
“Some people think so.”
“Then why did you bring presents?”
“Maybe bad men can still do good things.”
I considered that.
“Do you have children?”
“No, sweetheart.”
“Do you want one?”
His expression changed.
I hugged Mr. Bear tighter.
“Because nobody wants me. They say my wheelchair makes me too much trouble.”
Dominic's cold eyes darkened.
“Listen carefully, Lily. You are not a burden.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“Then why does everybody leave?”
For a moment, the powerful mafia boss said nothing.
I reached out and touched the tattoos on his enormous arm.
“Would you leave me too?”
He swallowed.
Then gently took my tiny hand.
“Lily, there's something I need to ask you.”
I held my breath.
He glanced toward the orphanage director.
Then back at me.
“Would you let me stay?”
Before I could answer, the director hurried toward us, holding a file with my name on it.
May you like
“Mr. Moretti, there's something about Lily's family you need to see.”
And suddenly, Dominic's face went completely pale.
