Chapter 6
The Moretti estate in Lake Forest was a sprawling limestone mansion situated on fifty acres of private, wooded land overlooking Lake Michigan. Surrounded by towering iron gates, security checkpoints, and dense oak forests, the estate was an impenetrable fortress built to withstand an army.
By midnight, the storm over the lake had intensified into a howling tempest. Lightning flashed across the black sky, illuminating the grand stone facade of the mansion and the rain-soaked gardens below.
Inside the master wing on the second floor, the atmosphere was warm, peaceful, and entirely transformed.
Sophia was sitting on a massive velvet canopy bed, wearing a soft pink pajama set decorated with embroidered yellow flowers. She was giggling happily as she kicked her little legs back and forth, showing off her mobility to Hannah, who sat beside her on the mattress holding a plate of warm butter cookies and fresh fruit.
Luca stood near the grand fireplace, his black suit jacket removed, his black dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar and rolled up to his elbows, exposing his thick, tattooed forearms. He held a glass of dark amber whiskey, his piercing eyes watching his daughter with a quiet, profound awe that softened his rugged, masculine features.
"Look, Daddy!" Sophia cheered, wiggling her pale-yellow socks. "I can kick high!"
"I see it, my angel," Luca said softly, his deep voice rich with a gentle warmth that his soldiers would never have believed possible. He walked over to the bed, setting his glass on the nightstand, and sat on the edge of the mattress.
He looked at Hannah, who was smiling softly, her blonde-brown hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders after removing her waitress headpiece.
"You haven't slept," Luca noted gently, his eyes scanning her warm, tired face.
"I don't think I could sleep tonight if I tried, Mr. Moretti," Hannah replied softly, her expressive eyes meeting his. "After three years of worrying, wondering if she was even alive... seeing her walk... it feels like a dream."
"It's not a dream," Luca said, his voice dropping into a low, raspy register. He reached out his large, tattooed hand, resting it flat over Hannah's hand on the silk duvet. His touch was large, warm, and unexpectedly tender. "You brought my daughter back to life, Hannah. There is no debt in this world I cannot pay you, but words aren't enough."
Hannah looked down at his tattooed hand covering hers, feeling the immense strength and fierce protection radiating from the Mafia boss. She didn't pull away.
"I don't want money, Luca," Hannah murmured softly. "I just want her to be safe. I want both of you to be safe."
Before Luca could respond, the heavy mahogany double doors of the master bedroom burst open.
May you like
Frank rushed into the room, his face pale, his tactical radio buzzing with frantic, static-laced shouting.
"Boss!" Frank announced urgently, drawing his suppressed sidearm. "We have a perimeter breach at the south gate! Two armored transport trucks just rammed the main gate! Sabato’s men are on the lawn!"
