The housekeeper's child crawled into my office—and a medal revealed her true identity and the truth about my family.

By nightfall, a heavy rainstorm rolled off Lake Michigan, hammering against the high slate roof of the Caruso mansion.

Dominic had immediately reassigned Hannah and Grace from the domestic quarters on the ground floor to the private master suite wing on the top floor. Four broad-shouldered enforcers in dark suits stood guard at the end of the long marble corridor.

In the master sitting room, Grace lay fast asleep inside a plush wooden crib that Dominic's staff had assembled, her small hand holding a soft wool blanket.

Hannah sat near the fireplace wearing a simple cream sweater, her brown hair loose over her shoulders. She looked exhausted, but the guarded terror in her eyes had begun to soften.

The heavy double doors opened, and Dominic stepped into the room. He had removed his suit jacket, wearing his white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled slightly over his tattooed forearms, his dark brown tie loosened at his collar.

He carried a silver tray with two fresh cups of tea, setting it down on the table beside Hannah.

"The house is secure, Hannah," Dominic said softly, taking a seat across from her. "My loyal men have doubled the perimeter security."

"Thank you, Mr. Caruso," Hannah murmured, taking a sip of the warm tea.

"Call me Dominic," he said, his intense gaze resting on her face. "You were my brother's heart, Hannah. That makes you family."

Hannah looked down at her cup, a faint flush touching her fair cheeks. "Julian spoke about you every single day, Dominic. He told me that beneath the power and the reputation, you were the most honorable man he ever knew."

Before Dominic could reply, a sharp knock sounded at the sitting room door.

Marcus, Dominic's head of security, stepped inside, looking unusually tense.

"Boss," Marcus reported softly. "Underboss Dante is downstairs in the foyer. He claims he noticed the maid moving into the master wing and demands to know why family security protocols are being altered."

Dominic stood up slowly, his broad chest rising as his posture turned ice-cold. "Dante is asking about my private wing?"