Chapter 8
The heavy armored door of the SUV slammed shut, sealing Luca inside the driver's seat. He immediately hit the ignition. The massive engine roared to life with a deep, powerful hum, and the bright, cinematic LED headlights flooded the dark concrete garage, illuminating the unconscious bodies of Marcus and his henchman.
In the backseat, the ambient luxury lighting of the SUV cast a warm, comforting glow over Hannah and Sophia. The drastic shift from the cold, terrifying garage to the pristine, leather-scented interior allowed Hannah to finally let out a long, shuddering breath. Her mint-green service dress was damp with nervous sweat, and her soft blonde-brown bun was completely disheveled, but she didn't care. She looked down at Sophia.
The three-year-old girl, exhausted by the adrenaline and the miraculous use of her legs, was already drifting back to sleep. Her long curly golden-brown hair rested peacefully against Hannah’s ample chest, her rosy cheeks soft and relaxed.
Luca put the SUV into gear and accelerated up the exit ramp, smashing right through the wooden security gate of the garage. The vehicle burst out into the cool, dark Chicago night. A heavy, cinematic rain had begun to fall, the droplets streaking across the bulletproof glass and reflecting the neon lights of the city skyline.
Luca gripped the steering wheel, his sharp masculine jawline illuminated by the dashboard lights. He glanced up into the rearview mirror, his piercing, intense eyes locking onto Hannah’s reflection. The cold, terrifying Mafia boss was completely gone, replaced by a man looking at a miracle.
"Are you hurt?" Luca asked, his deep voice incredibly gentle, a stark contrast to the violence he had just executed moments ago.
"No, Mr. Moretti," Hannah replied softly, gently stroking Sophia’s pale-yellow floral dress. "We are okay. Sophia is sleeping."
"Call me Luca," he insisted, his tone carrying a profound, absolute respect. "You saved my entire world twice, Hannah. Titles are meaningless between us now."
Hannah blushed deeply, her fair rosy skin warming under his intense gaze. She looked at the exceptionally handsome man driving the car. Despite his dark tattoos, his tailored black suit, and his lethal reputation, she saw the desperate, loving father beneath it all.
"Where are we going, Luca?" Hannah asked, her expressive eyes looking out at the rain-slicked city streets. "The Falcones know who I am now. I can't go back to my apartment. I can't go back to the catering company."
"You are never going back to that life," Luca stated firmly, navigating the heavy SUV through the downtown traffic with effortless precision. "You are coming home with us. To the main estate. It is the most heavily fortified compound in the state. No one will ever touch you there."
Hannah’s breath caught in her throat. "Luca, I... I’m just a waitress. I can't live in a Mafia estate."
"You aren't a waitress," Luca corrected her, his voice low and fiercely protective. "You are a trained nurse. You are the woman my daughter ran to when her mind finally allowed her to walk. You are going to be her permanent, private caregiver. I will pay you ten times whatever you were making, and you will have absolute freedom within my walls."
Hannah looked down at the sleeping child in her arms. The bond she felt with Sophia was undeniable, forged in the terrifying fires of that night three years ago and rekindled tonight in the ballroom. She couldn't walk away from this little girl again.
"Okay," Hannah whispered, tears of relief welling in her eyes. "I'll stay."
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Before Luca could respond, the encrypted satellite phone mounted on the dashboard began to ring. The shrill, piercing sound shattered the quiet peace of the SUV. The caller ID flashed a blocked, untraceable number on the screen.
Luca’s expression instantly darkened. He knew exactly who was calling. He reached out and pressed the speaker button, his broad chest rising as he prepared to face the man who had tried to destroy his family.
