Chapter 6 - The Lion’s Vow
"So what are you going to do?" I asked, looking up into Luca's unyielding eyes. "Trade me to them to save your territory?"
Luca’s expression hardened instantly, his eyes darkening to midnight. "Is that what you think of me, Elena? That I would hand over the only woman who stayed to stitch my wounds while the rest of the world waited for me to bleed out?"
"I don't know who you are, Luca!" I shouted, tears of frustration finally brimming in my eyes. "One minute you're slamming walls and threatening me, and the next you're paying off my mother's debts and telling me I belong to a family of murderers! What am I to you? Just another piece on your board?"
Without warning, Luca grabbed both my hands, pulling me flush against his chest. His heart was hammering hard and fast beneath his linen shirt, steady and fierce.
"You are under my roof," he said, each word sounding like a sacred oath carved into stone. "In my world, once I claim someone under my protection, the entire United States military couldn't tear them from my hands. Don Moretti will not touch a single hair on your head. Not tonight. Not ever."
"Boss," Marcus warned from the doorway. "We have forty minutes. Moretti’s convoy is already crossing the bridge into Brooklyn."
Luca released my hands, stepping over to the heavy mahogany safe concealed behind the wall tapestry. He opened it, pulling out a small velvet box and an encrypted satellite phone. He turned back to me, opening the box to reveal a stunning antique ring—a deep blue sapphire encircled by brilliant platinum diamonds.
"Put it on," Luca commanded.
I blinked in shock. "What? Why?"
"At sunrise, the five families of New York meet to decide whether a war begins," Luca said, slipping the cold platinum band onto the ring finger of my left hand. It fit with uncanny perfection. "Under the ancient charter of the commission, no don may lay claim to, demand custody of, or touch the lawful betrothed of a reigning boss. The second you wear this ring, Elena, you are no longer an unprotected runaway heir. You are the future mistress of the Rossi syndicate."
"A fake engagement?" I asked, my voice trembling as I stared at the dazzling jewel on my finger.
May you like
Luca leaned down until his lips brushed against my ear, sending shivers racing straight to my core.
"There is nothing fake about what happens in this house, Elena. Play your part at the docks. And when this night is over, I will give you whatever life you choose."
