Chapter 9 - THE MORNING AFTER
By 6:00 AM, the storm had completely cleared, leaving behind a crisp, golden autumn sunrise over the DeLuca estate.
The courtyard had been cleaned, the police report details coordinated through the family's legal channels, and Marco Ferretti had already called Lorenzo to offer a total, unconditional surrender of all contested territories in exchange for his men's survival.
Inside the grand study, Mia sat on the leather sofa, her foot wrapped neatly in a tensor bandage, drinking a cup of hot black coffee.
The door opened, and Lorenzo DeLuca walked in alone.
He was carrying a thick leather folder. He didn't sit behind his desk; instead, he walked over and sat in the armchair across from Mia.
"How is the ankle?" Lorenzo asked gently.
"It’s fine," Mia said. "I’ll be back on full duty in three days."
Lorenzo set the folder on the coffee table. "Yesterday morning, I told the director of your agency that no woman could guard my son. I said women were soft, easily distracted, and panic in the face of danger."
Mia took a slow sip of her coffee, her expression neutral. "I remember."
Lorenzo looked at her with genuine humility. "I was wrong. In my fifty-eight years on this earth, I have never seen a tactical mind as sharp, a heart as brave, or a guard as fearless as you, Mia Callaway."
He opened the folder, revealing a signed contract.
"This is a personal retainer agreement," Lorenzo said. "I am offering you the position of Chief of Security for the entire DeLuca enterprise. You will oversee all perimeter protocols, all personal protection teams, and answer only to me and Matteo. The salary is four times what Varro Security pays you."
Mia looked down at the contract, then back at Lorenzo.
"On one condition," Mia said.
Lorenzo smiled faintly. "Name it."
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"I select my own team," Mia said firmly. "And no applicant is ever turned away based on their gender, their size, or whether they happen to knock over a trash can in the lobby."
Lorenzo let out a low, rare laugh. "Agreed."
