Chapter 8 - The Federal Threat
Luca’s presence instantly extinguished Gina's arrogant demeanor. She shrank back against the wall, her face draining of color as the powerful crime boss walked slowly toward us.
Luca didn't even glance at Gina. His entire focus was locked on my pale, shaken face.
"Marco," Luca said coldly, his voice smooth as silk. "Escort this woman off my property. If she sets foot near my gates again, have her arrested for trespassing."
"Yes, Boss," Marco said, grabbing Gina's arm and dragging her out the door as she stammered helpless apologies.
Luca walked up to me, pulling me gently into his arms. I stiffened slightly, the echo of Gina’s words ringing in my ears: The feds are coming for this house. He’ll let you take the fall.
"What did she say to you, Claire?" Luca asked softly, his hand resting against the back of my waist.
I pulled back slightly, looking into his dark, intelligent eyes. "Is it true, Luca? Are the federal prosecutors building a RICO case against you?"
Luca’s expression hardened, a subtle shadow passing over his features. He didn't lie to me; he never did.
"They have been trying to build a case against my family for ten years, Claire," he admitted quietly. "It is the nature of the life I inherited."
"She said they think I'm involved now," I whispered, panic rising in my voice. "She said they think I was planted at Bellamy House to help you clean money!"
Luca’s eyes flared with a sudden, terrifying fury—not directed at me, but at the nameless prosecutors threatening our peace. He cupped my face gently in both of his hands, forcing me to look directly into his eyes.
"Listen to me very carefully, Claire Bennett," he said, his voice ringing with absolute certainty. "I have spent the last sixty days transferring every single asset I own into legal, audited blind trusts. I have surrendered control of the waterfront operations. My legal team has filed full disclosures with the state financial board."
I stared at him, stunned. "You... you legitimised everything?"
"I told you I was going to protect our family," Luca murmured, resting his forehead against mine. "I am not letting any prosecutor, any rival, or any past mistake take you or Mateo away from me. You are not my shield, Claire. You are my reason for changing."
Tears pricked my eyes as the cold knot of doubt in my stomach dissolved completely. I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face against his neck, inhaling his warm, familiar scent.
"I love you, Luca," I whispered, saying the words out loud for the very first time.
May you like
Luca froze for a fraction of a second, his arms tightening around me until I could barely breathe, holding me against his heart like a man who had just been handed the key to salvation.
"I loved you the moment you put yourself between my son and a shard of glass," he whispered back into my hair. "And I will spend the rest of my life proving it to you."
