"THE MAFIA BOSS FOUND ME ON MY KNEES SCRUBBING THE FLOOR WITH A SWOLLEN, BRUISED LEG—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE FELL WHILE CLEANING,” BEFORE I COULD ANSWER HIM.

The fallout from the broken engagement was immediate and catastrophic. The Chicago underworld thrived on rumors, and by nightfall, the whispers had reached every dark corner of the city. Luca Moretti had humiliated Don Romano's daughter, breaking a million-dollar peace treaty, all over a low-level maid.

I sat up in bed the next morning, watching the news on the massive flat-screen television. There were reports of sudden "accidental" fires at two of Luca’s downtown construction sites. The war had already begun.

The bedroom door opened, and Luca walked in carrying a tray of coffee and pastries. He looked exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes betraying a sleepless night, but he still wore a perfectly tailored suit.

"You shouldn't be bringing me breakfast," I said quietly, feeling a deep wave of guilt. "You have an empire to run. And I... I started a war."

Luca set the tray on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. He handed me a cup of black coffee.

"You didn't start anything, Mia," he said, his voice firm. "The Romano family has been looking for an excuse to strike for months. Isabella was just a spy in my house. Breaking the engagement was inevitable. You just sped up the timeline."

"But they are burning your buildings," I argued, gripping the warm coffee mug. "She threatened my mother, Luca. If they come after my family—"

"They won't," Luca interrupted, his dark eyes locking onto mine with fierce determination. "I moved your mother to a secure penthouse downtown last night. She is under 24-hour guard. Nobody will touch her."

I stared at him, completely overwhelmed by the lengths he was going to protect me. "Why are you doing all of this?"