Chapter 12 - The Traitor in the CourtyardThat night, Luca showed the world what happened to those who threatened his household.
By midnight, thirty raided safehouses across two states had crippled the Detroit syndicate forever.
Their leadership fled the country.
The Moretti family’s dominion over the Midwest was absolute.
Unchallenged.
Undisputed.
Two days later, a grand banquet was announced at the Moretti estate.
Not a party for society elites or fake socialites.
A celebration for the entire inner circle.
The loyal guards, the staff, the captains.
Antonio was back in the kitchen, preparing a feast that filled the mansion with the rich aromas of roasted meats and fine pastries.
I stood on the second-floor balcony overlooking the grand ballroom.
I was wearing an emerald green silk evening gown that Luca had personally chosen for me.
My hair fell in soft curls around my bare shoulders.
A delicate diamond necklace rested against my collarbone.
A gift from Sienna.
The grand double doors at the end of the balcony opened.
Luca walked out into the cool evening breeze.
He wore a tailored black tuxedo, looking impeccably handsome and commandingly powerful.
He stopped beside me at the railing.
He looked down at the lively ballroom below, then turned his gaze entirely to me.
His breath caught.
“You take my breath away, Emma.”
I smiled, blushing under his intense stare.
“I feel like Cinderella.”
Luca shook his head gently.
“Cinderella had to run away at midnight.”
May you like
He stepped closer, closing the distance between us until his warmth surrounded me.
“You are never running away from me.”
