My Family Used Me to Settle Their Debt—I Never Expected the Mafia Boss to Open His Arms
Chapter 10
The arrests triggered a massive investigation.
Victor confessed to multiple crimes.
Fake debts.
Kidnapping.
Fraud.
Money laundering.
He admitted that Elena’s father had never truly owed the amount claimed.
The debt had been manufactured to force Elena into Victor’s control.
The trust remained intact.
But Elena didn’t want the money.
She wanted freedom.
Luca offered to transfer everything to a foundation.
Elena agreed.
The foundation helped families escaping criminal organizations.
It funded legal aid.
Housing.
Medical treatment.
Education.
Her father cooperated with investigators.
Rafael became head of legal security.
And Luca began dismantling the parts of his father’s empire that had been built on violence.
Some people called him weak.
Others called him a traitor.
Luca didn’t care.
He had already lost enough.
One evening, Elena found him on the balcony.
“You haven’t slept.”
“I sleep.”
“Four hours isn’t sleeping.”
He looked at her.
“You’ve become bossy.”
“You’ve become difficult.”
“I was always difficult.”
She smiled.
“True.”
She sat beside him.
“Do you regret taking me in?”
“No.”
“Even though my family caused all this?”
“You didn’t.”
She looked toward the city.
“I spent years believing I wasn’t worth much.”
Luca frowned.
“Why?”
“Because my family always treated me like a burden.”
He looked at her.
“You were never a burden.”
“You didn’t know me.”
“I know you now.”
That was enough.
She rested her head against his shoulder.
He went still.
Then relaxed.
“I was terrified the first night,” she admitted.
“I know.”
“I thought you would force me to marry you.”
“I would never.”
“I know.”
“Then why stay?”
She looked up.
“Because you were the first person who asked me what I wanted.”
Luca stared at her.
“Did I?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“Just not with words.”
He took her hand.
There was a long silence.
Then Luca said:
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?”
“My father wasn’t the only person who protected you.”
Elena frowned.
“Who else?”
“Your father.”
She laughed softly.
“My father sold me.”
“He believed he had no choice.”
“He made a terrible choice.”
“Yes.”
“But he tried to save me.”
“Yes.”
Elena looked away.
“I don’t know if I can forgive him.”
“You don’t have to.”
She turned back.
“Do you forgive yours?”
Luca stared at the city.
“No.”
“But you stopped becoming him.”
He nodded.
“That was harder.”
She smiled.
“I’m glad you did.”
He looked at her.
“You know what surprised me?”
“What?”
“The night you arrived.”
“What?”
“I expected someone afraid.”
“I was.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You were angry.”
She laughed.
“I was definitely angry.”
“I liked that.”
“You liked me yelling at you?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
Then he reached up and touched her cheek.
“May I?”
She nodded.
He kissed her.
Slowly.
Gently.
No contract.
No debt.
No arrangement.
Just choice.
When they pulled apart, Elena smiled.
“You know this is a terrible idea.”
“Probably.”
“You’re still a mafia boss.”
“Not for much longer.”
“You’re still dangerous.”
“So are you.”
She laughed.
Then her phone rang.
Her father’s name appeared.
She answered.
“Dad?”
His voice shook.
“Elena…”
“What?”
“You need to leave the house.”
“Why?”
“I found something.”
“Where?”
“In your mother’s old room.”
“What?”
“A photograph.”
“Of what?”
He paused.
“Of your mother standing beside another man.”
Elena’s face changed.
“Who?”
Her father whispered:
“Luca’s father.”
Elena looked at Luca.
Another secret.
Not everything had been uncovered.
