The first sound Luca Ferraro heard inside his mansion was not the alarm system, the security team, or the polished voice of his estate director announcing his arrival.

The cleanup took three days, but the atmosphere inside the Ferraro estate had permanently shifted.

The carriage house was deemed unsafe, too exposed near the perimeter walls. Without asking, Luca ordered his men to move Elena and Nora’s belongings into the main house. Specifically, into the massive, sunlit guest suite directly across the hall from his own master bedroom.

Elena stood in the center of the opulent room, staring at the silk sheets and the massive crystal chandelier.

“Luca, this is too much,” she said softly as he leaned against the doorframe, watching her. “I’m a housekeeper. The other staff will talk.”

“Let them talk,” Luca replied, his voice firm but warm. “You are not a housekeeper anymore. You do not touch a mop or a laundry basket ever again.”

“Then what am I?” she asked, turning to face him, her heart pounding.

Luca pushed off the doorframe, walking slowly toward her until he was standing just inches away. He reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear.

“You are mine,” he said, the words heavy with a fierce, undeniable possessiveness. “And I protect what is mine.”

Before Elena could respond, a loud squeal echoed from the hallway.

Nora came sliding into the room in her socks, holding a massive, terrifyingly fierce-looking Doberman by its diamond-studded collar. The dog, trained to rip an intruder’s throat out on command, was happily licking Nora’s cheek while she giggled.

“Look, Mama! A puppy!” Nora cheered.

Matteo appeared in the doorway a second later, looking deeply traumatized.

“Boss, I tried to stop her, but she just walked up to Brutus and... booped his nose. He usually bites people for looking at him.”

Luca laughed. It was a rich, deep sound that Elena had never heard before. It made his entire face light up, erasing the cruel shadows of the mafia king.

“It seems Brutus knows who really runs this house now,” Luca smiled, looking down at Nora.

He looked back at Elena, his dark eyes filled with absolute sincerity.

“Stay here, Elena. Let me take care of you. Let me give her the life she deserves.”

Elena looked at the ruthless monster who had burned down a rival empire to keep them safe, and the gentle man who had wept over a ruined shirt. She didn't want to run anymore.

She reached up, rising onto her tiptoes, and kissed him.