THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME UNFASTEN A PINK BALLET SLIPPER FROM HIS ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER'S SWOLLEN FOOT DURING HIS ENGAGEMENT DINNER—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE TWISTED HER ANKLE PLAYING ON THE STAIRS,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE LITTLE GIRL WAS CRYING AND BEGGING ME NOT TO MAKE HER DANCE AGAIN

The morning sun poured through the massive windows of the estate, casting a warm, golden glow across the swept marble floors. The broken chandelier had been cleared away. The nightmares of the previous evening felt like a distant storm that had finally passed.

I stood in my small room in the servant's quarters, zipping up my canvas duffel bag.

I had barely slept. My mind kept replaying the gunshot, the shattered glass, the look in Vanessa’s eyes. Luca’s men had secured the perimeter. Vanessa was being dealt with by her father’s syndicate—a permanent exile, I was told. She would never hurt anyone again.

But as I looked around the tiny, sterile room I had lived in for thirteen months, I knew I couldn't stay.

I had assaulted a mafia boss’s fiancée. I had crossed lines a housemaid was never supposed to cross. And more importantly, I was terrified of how much I had come to care for Sophie—and for Luca. It wasn't my place. I was an employee. It was time to go back to my real life, find a quiet job, and take care of my mother.

I picked up my bag and walked quietly toward the kitchen to leave my uniform and keys on the counter.

"Leaving without saying goodbye?"

I stopped dead in my tracks.

Luca was leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen. He was wearing a simple gray sweater and dark jeans, looking exhausted but softer than I had ever seen him. He held two mugs of coffee.

"Mr. Moretti," I stammered, lowering my bag. "I... I thought you and Sophie were still asleep."

"Sophie is exhausted. She’s finally sleeping peacefully," Luca said, walking toward me and handing me a mug. "Drink. You look like you're about to pass out."

I took the mug. The warmth seeped into my cold hands. "Thank you. Sir, I wanted to leave before I caused any more disruption. I'll send my final timecard—"

"Stop calling me sir, Claire," Luca said gently. "And you're not fired. You're never being fired."

I swallowed hard, looking down at my shoes. "I can't be your maid anymore, Luca. Yesterday... everything changed. I can't just go back to polishing silver and pretending I didn't hold your crying daughter while a gun was pointed at her."

"I know," Luca said quietly. "That’s why you're not going to be a maid."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, navy blue velvet box.

My heart skipped a beat. "Luca... what is that?"

He opened it. Inside wasn't a ring. It was a beautiful, antique silver key.

"This is the key to the master guest house by the rose garden," Luca said. "It has three bedrooms, a private kitchen, and full handicap accessibility."

I stared at him, confused. "Handicap accessibility?"

Luca stepped closer, his dark eyes intensely serious. "I had my men visit your mother's house at dawn. We packed her things. She is currently in a private ambulance being moved to the guest house on this estate. I have hired a 24-hour private nursing staff to care for her. All her medical debts have been paid in full."

The coffee mug almost slipped from my hands. "What? Luca... you can't do that. I can't accept that kind of money. I could never pay you back!"

"You already paid me back!" Luca said, his voice thick with raw emotion. He reached out and gently gripped my shoulders. "Claire, you put yourself in front of a bullet for my little girl. You saved my daughter’s life. You gave me back the truth about my wife. There is not enough money in the world to repay the debt I owe you."

Tears welled in my eyes. "Luca..."

"I don't want you working for me, Claire," he whispered, his thumb gently brushing a tear from my cheek. "I want you living here. I want you to be safe. I want Sophie to have the woman she loves down the path. And... I want you to stay."

I looked into his eyes. The hardened mafia boss was gone. In front of me was just a man, asking for a chance to heal.

"Okay," I whispered, crying and smiling at the same time. "I'll stay."

Luca exhaled a breath he looked like he’d been holding for three years. He pulled me into a tight, warm hug, burying his face in my neck.

Suddenly, a tiny voice echoed from the hallway.

"Miss Claire?"

We pulled apart. Sophie was standing there in her pajamas, leaning on her crutches, rubbing her eyes. She looked at my duffel bag on the floor, panic immediately flashing across her face.

"Are you leaving?" Sophie cried.

I smiled, wiping my tears, and walked over to her. I knelt down so we were eye level.

"No, sweetheart," I said, taking her little hand. "I'm not going anywhere. Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to the guest house. My mom is moving in today, and she makes the best chocolate chip pancakes in the world."