Her Husband Left Her to Die—Then the Mafia Boss Made Her His Untouchable Queen
Chapter 4
Luca’s men increased security around the clinic.
Elena hated it.
“I don’t need guards.”
“You do.”
“I don’t want to live like a prisoner.”
“You won’t.”
“Then why are there two men outside my door?”
“They’re there so you don’t become a prisoner.”
She stared at him.
Luca sighed.
“Someone is trying to finish what Daniel started.”
“Who?”
“We don’t know.”
“Then find out.”
Luca almost smiled.
“You give orders easily.”
“I’ve learned.”
That evening, Luca brought her home.
Not to the mansion she had once shared with Daniel.
To his estate.
It sat behind tall iron gates on a hill overlooking the city.
Elena stepped out of the car.
“This is insane.”
“What is?”
“This house.”
“You’ll stay here until we know you’re safe.”
“No.”
Luca looked at her.
“You have nowhere else to go.”
“I’ll find somewhere.”
“You can.”
He paused.
“But not tonight.”
She looked at the enormous house.
“Why are you doing this?”
Luca answered honestly.
“I don’t know.”
That was the first time Elena saw something vulnerable in him.
The feared mafia boss looked tired.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Like a man who had spent years carrying things nobody else was allowed to see.
Inside the house, Elena met Luca’s younger sister, Sofia.
Sofia hugged her immediately.
“You’re the woman.”
Elena blinked.
“What woman?”
“The one who made my brother start acting like a human being.”
Luca frowned.
“Sofia.”
“What?”
“Enough.”
She laughed.
Elena smiled despite herself.
That night, Elena couldn’t sleep.
She walked downstairs.
She found Luca sitting alone in the library.
“You’re awake.”
“So are you.”
He poured two cups of tea.
She sat.
For a while, they listened to the rain.
Then Elena asked:
“Are you really as dangerous as people say?”
Luca looked at her.
“Yes.”
She swallowed.
“Have you killed people?”
“Yes.”
She expected fear.
Instead, she felt something more complicated.
“You’re honest.”
“I have no reason to lie to you.”
“Most people would.”
“Most people are trying to make you like them.”
He looked at her.
“I don’t need you to like me.”
Elena smiled faintly.
“That might be why I do.”
Luca stared at her.
Neither spoke.
Something changed in that quiet room.
Not love.
Not yet.
Just recognition.
Two damaged people sitting across from each other.
Neither pretending to be whole.
