THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME TURN MY RIGHT EAR TOWARD EVERY GUEST AT HIS ENGAGEMENT DINNER

The warmth in the room vanished instantly.

Luca’s posture shifted. He didn’t draw a weapon, but the lethal, terrifying aura of the mafia boss slammed back into place. He stepped slightly in front of me.

“Who are you?” Luca asked, his voice deadly quiet.

“I’m her family,” Arthur said, puffing his chest out, though I could see his eyes dart nervously to Luca’s broad shoulders. “And since Emma is living in luxury while her own blood struggles, I came to collect what’s owed to me.”

Chloe looked at me, tears in her eyes. “He showed up at my apartment, Emma. He wouldn’t leave until I brought him here. He says he’s going to the press to tell them you manipulated a grieving billionaire into a relationship.”

I felt a surge of nausea.

Arthur smirked. “A hundred thousand dollars. That’s all I’m asking for, Mr. Moretti. A small price to keep your new… arrangement… out of the tabloids.”

Luca’s jaw ticked. I saw his hand twitch toward his jacket pocket.

He could destroy Arthur with a single phone call. He could have him ruined, exiled, or worse.

But this wasn’t his fight.

“Luca,” I said softly, touching his arm. “Don’t.”

He looked at me, the rage in his eyes softening just a fraction.

I stepped out from behind him. I wasn’t a terrified maid anymore. I was a woman who had faced down guns in a bank vault. I had fought Vanessa Bellini in a warehouse.

Arthur was nothing but a cowardly bully.

“You aren’t getting a dime, Arthur,” I said, my voice ringing clear and strong in the quiet library.

Arthur frowned. “Emma, don’t be stupid—”

“You abandoned my mother when she couldn’t walk,” I cut him off, taking a step toward him. “You let us drown in medical debt. You don’t get to show up now and claim family.”

“I’ll ruin you,” Arthur spat.

“Try it,” I challenged, my eyes narrowing. “Go to the press. Tell them whatever you want. The man standing behind me just legally acquired half the real estate in Chicago. I have the best lawyers on the eastern seaboard on speed dial. If you speak my name, or Chloe’s name, or my mother’s name again, I will personally ensure you spend the rest of your life buried in defamation lawsuits.”

Arthur stared at me. He was looking for the weak, desperate girl he remembered.

He didn’t find her.

He swallowed hard, the color draining from his face. Without another word, he turned and practically ran out the library doors.

Chloe let out a massive sigh of relief and ran to hug me.

Over her shoulder, I looked at Luca.

He was leaning against the desk, watching me with an expression of pure, unadulterated awe. He looked incredibly proud.

“I’ll let you two talk,” Luca said softly, giving me a respectful nod before leaving the room.