Chapter 8 - The Estate's Walls
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The Moretti Estate in daylight was even more intimidating than it had been during the chaotic gala. High stone walls, wrought-iron gates, and security cameras tracking every movement.
Hannah drove her beat-up Honda Civic up the sprawling driveway, feeling utterly out of place among the luxury vehicles parked near the garage.
Lorenzo was waiting for her on the front steps. He wore black slacks and a dark fitted sweater that highlighted the broad, muscular lines of his chest.
"You came," he said as she stepped out of her car.
"You bought my shelter," Hannah replied dryly, grabbing her duffel bag of training supplies. "I didn't have much of a choice."
"There is always a choice, Hannah," Lorenzo murmured, stepping close enough to take the heavy bag from her hands, his knuckles brushing hers. "I'm just glad you made the right one."
He led her through the massive mansion and out toward the rear gardens, bypassing the manicured lawns for a secluded, heavily fortified enclosure near the edge of the woods.
As they walked, a sharp voice called out.
"Lorenzo! Are you seriously bringing a civilian into the compound?"
Hannah turned. A man who looked like a slightly younger, much sleazier version of Lorenzo was marching toward them. He wore a flashy suit and a scowl.
"Vincent," Lorenzo warned, his voice dropping in temperature. "Mind your business."
Vincent looked Hannah up and down, a nasty sneer forming on his face. "This is the dog whisperer? She looks like she eats the dog food. We have professionals on payroll, Lorenzo. We don't need some bleeding-heart fatty wandering around the estate."
Hannah's stomach dropped. The familiar sting of the insult hit her hard, making her instinctively cross her arms over her stomach.
Before she could speak, Lorenzo moved.
He didn't yell. He grabbed Vincent by the throat with terrifying speed, slamming his cousin against the stone wall of the enclosure.
"Listen to me very carefully," Lorenzo hissed, his eyes black with murderous rage. "She is a guest in my home. If you ever disrespect her again, if you ever look at her with anything less than absolute reverence, I will tear your tongue out of your mouth. Do you understand?"
Vincent choked, his face turning red, frantically nodding his head.
Lorenzo dropped him in disgust. "Get out of my sight."
Vincent scrambled away, coughing violently.
Lorenzo turned back to Hannah. The violence instantly vanished from his eyes, replaced by a deep, fierce protectiveness.
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"No one speaks to you like that," Lorenzo said softly. "You are beautiful. Do not let small men make you feel otherwise."
Hannah stared at him, her heart hammering against her ribs. No one had ever defended her like that. No one.
