She attacked the curvy nanny in front of everyone, then the mafia boss walked in and called her his wife

The memory of Gregory’s baffled face faded as the cold reality of the marble foyer rushed back in. Luca Castellano stepped entirely out of the shadows, his presence suffocating the Meridian Capital employees who had come for a simple corporate retreat and found themselves in a mafia stronghold.

Vanessa’s face was completely drained of color. She looked like she might faint, her hands shaking violently at her sides.

“Mr. Castellano,” Vanessa stammered, her voice pitching an octave higher than usual. “I… I didn't know. She was dressed like a nanny. She was serving the coffee.”

Luca didn't look at Vanessa. He moved gracefully across the marble, dropping to one knee right in the center of the shattered sapphires. He didn't care about his expensive suit. He gently took Nora’s bleeding hand in his, his calloused thumbs brushing lightly against her pale skin.

“Are you hurt, mia regina?” Luca murmured, his voice a low, vibrating hum that only she could hear.

“It’s just a scratch,” Nora whispered back, her heart doing a familiar, dangerous flutter at the pet name.

Luca pulled a pristine white silk handkerchief from his breast pocket and carefully wrapped it around her palm, tying it secure. Then, he stood up, pulling Nora gently to her feet, tucking her securely against his solid side.

He finally turned his dark, lethal gaze back to Vanessa.

“You come into my home,” Luca said softly, though the acoustics of the grand foyer carried his voice to every terrified person in the room. “You drink my wine. You attempt to conduct business with my legitimate fronts. And then you put your hands on the woman who holds my heart.”

“It was a mistake!” Vanessa pleaded, tears of genuine panic spilling over her expensive mascara. “I swear, I thought she was just the help!”

“That makes it worse,” Luca stated coldly. “If she were just the help, you believe she deserves your cruelty? You are a guest in a house that does not forgive disrespect.”

He raised his hand slightly. Two massive men in dark suits detached themselves from the walls, stepping forward with terrifying synchronization.

“Remove her from the property,” Luca ordered. “Meridian Capital’s retreat is officially over. Your firm will no longer be doing business with Castellano Enterprises. Pack your bags and get out before I decide to be less civilized.”

The employees scrambled, turning on their heels and practically running toward the guest wings to gather their belongings. The two guards grabbed Vanessa by her arms, dragging the weeping, protesting executive out the heavy oak front doors.

As the chaos cleared, Nora bent down, swiftly picking up the white access card from the floor and sliding it into her pocket. Luca watched her do it, a dark, knowing smirk playing on his lips.