Chapter 16 - The Declaration
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Before Isabella could scramble back to her feet, the heavy wooden doors of the powder room burst open. Luca’s guards rushed in, weapons drawn, followed immediately by Luca himself.
He took in the scene in a fraction of a second—Isabella sprawled on the velvet sofa, furious and disheveled, and me standing over her, breathing heavily but completely unharmed.
Luca didn't even look at his former fiancée. He walked straight to me, his hands gently checking my arms and face.
"Did she hurt you?" he asked, his voice low and tight with restrained violence.
"No," I said, catching my breath. "I handled it."
A fierce, proud smile touched the corner of Luca’s mouth. He finally turned his attention to Isabella, who was sobbing fake tears of victimization, trying to pull herself together.
"She attacked me, Luca!" Isabella cried, pointing a shaking finger at me. "She’s a violent animal!"
Luca walked slowly toward her. The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"If you ever come within fifty feet of this woman again, Isabella, I will not hesitate to end you," Luca said coldly. "And I will make sure your father watches."
He turned his back on her, grabbing my hand, and led me out of the bathroom. We didn't return to the gala. We walked straight through the center of the ballroom, ignoring the stares and whispers of the elite crowd.
As we reached the grand exit, Don Romano stepped into our path, flanked by four massive bodyguards.
"You disrespect my family, Moretti," the Don growled, his face purple with rage. "You parade this whore around my daughter."
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Luca stepped forward, his presence overwhelming the older boss.
"This woman is under my absolute protection," Luca announced, his voice echoing through the silent lobby. "If any of you look at her wrong, the truce is dead."
