THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME CRAWL UNDER HIS ENGAGEMENT TABLE TO FIND HIS TEN-YEAR-OLD SON'S WHITE CANE—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “HE THREW IT AWAY BECAUSE HE WANTED ATTENTION,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE BLIND LITTLE BOY WAS ON HIS KNEES, CRYING AND BEGGING ME NOT TO MAKE HIM WALK ALONE AGAIN

The morning sun broke over the Moretti estate, casting a warm, golden light across the manicured lawns.

But inside the master guest suite, I was freezing.

Fifty thousand dollars.

I had spent the last four hours sitting on the edge of the massive bed, staring at the wall.

I couldn't ask Luca.

He had just saved my life. He had just endured the ultimate betrayal from the people closest to him. I couldn't immediately turn around and demand money. He would think I was just another vulture, manipulating his gratitude.

I stood up, wiping the dried tears from my face.

I walked to the closet.

Someone—probably Mrs. Carter—had stocked it with beautiful, expensive clothes in my exact size. Cashmere sweaters. Silk blouses.

I ignored them.

I found my jeans and a plain gray sweater I had brought from my locker downstairs.

I packed my small duffel bag.

I had to go. I had to sell my car, take out a payday loan, beg the hospital administrators—anything.

I quietly opened the bedroom door and stepped into the hallway.

"Where are you going?"

I jumped.

Noah was standing in the hallway, his white cane resting against the wall. He was wearing his pajamas, his hair messy from sleep.

"Noah," I breathed, my voice cracking. "What are you doing up?"

"I heard you crying," he said, stepping toward me. "Why do you have your bag?"

My chest tightened. "I have to leave for a little while, sweetheart. My mom is very sick. She needs help."

Noah frowned. "Daddy can help."

"No, honey. Your dad has done enough. This is my problem."

Noah reached into the pocket of his pajama pants.

He pulled out a small, velvet box.

He held it out to me.

"Take this."

I stared at it. "Noah, what is that?"

"It's Mommy's diamond necklace," he said softly. "The one Daddy gave her when I was born. It's really heavy. Vanessa tried to take it once, but I hid it in my shoe."

Tears blurred my vision.

"Noah, I can't take your mother's necklace. That's yours."

"You said your mom is sick," Noah insisted, pushing the box into my hand. "Mommy died because nobody could save her. You have to save yours. Sell it."

I dropped to my knees and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his shoulder.

"You have the biggest heart in the world, Noah Moretti."

"Put the necklace away, Noah."

The deep, calm voice came from the end of the hall.

I looked up.

Luca was standing there.

He was wearing dark slacks and a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his muscular forearms.

He looked rested. He looked like the king of his castle again.

I scrambled to my feet, wiping my eyes.

"Mr. Moretti, I'm sorry. I wasn't going to take it, I swear."

Luca walked toward us.

He gently took the velvet box from my hand and handed it back to Noah.

"Put it back in your room, buddy. I'll be down to make pancakes in five minutes."

"Okay, Daddy." Noah smiled, tapping his cane as he turned back to his room.

Luca watched him go.

Then he turned his dark, intense gaze on me.

He looked at my duffel bag.

"You were leaving."

"My mother is in the hospital," I blurted out, unable to hold it in anymore. "Her insurance denied the surgery. They need fifty thousand dollars by noon or they're moving her to hospice. I have to go to the bank, I have to figure something out—"

"Hannah," Luca interrupted softly.

"I didn't want to ask you," I cried. "You've been through so much, and I didn't want you to think I was just using you for your money."

Luca reached out and gently took my duffel bag from my shoulder.

He dropped it onto the floor.

"Hannah, look at me."

I met his eyes.

"The hospital administrator called me an hour ago," Luca said. "To confirm the wire transfer."

I stopped breathing.

"What?"

"I am the emergency contact on your employment file," Luca explained smoothly. "When the hospital couldn't reach you because your phone was off, they called me."

My mouth fell open.

"You... you paid them?"

"I didn't just pay them," Luca said, taking a step closer. "I bought the entire surgical wing. Your mother is currently being prepped by the top neurosurgeon in the state. She will have a private recovery suite, and round-the-clock care for as long as she needs it."

My knees literally buckled.

I would have hit the floor if Luca hadn't caught me.

His strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.

"I don't know how I'll ever repay you," I sobbed, burying my face in his shirt. "I'll work for free for the rest of my life."

Luca let out a low, rough chuckle.

One of his hands slid up my back, his fingers tangling gently in my hair.

"You already paid me, Hannah. You gave me back my son. You protected him when the woman I chose failed him."

He slowly pulled back, just enough to look at my face.

His eyes dropped to my lips.

"I don't want you to be my employee, Hannah."

My breath hitched.

"What do you want me to be?" I whispered.