THE SISTER SHE NEVER WANTED TO BE

The Chicago mansion looked different in the daylight.

The heavy, oppressive atmosphere that had choked the halls during Vanessa's reign was gone, washed away by the morning sun streaming through the massive windows. The damage from the shootout had already been cleaned up by Luca's efficient crew, leaving the estate pristine once more.

I stood in the grand foyer, holding Sophia’s hand. The little girl was awake now, wearing a cozy oversized sweater, her eyes looking brighter than they had in years.

"Is she really gone, Daddy?" Sophia asked, looking up at Luca.

Luca knelt down, meeting his daughter at eye level. "She's really gone, baby. She is in police custody, and she will never, ever step foot near this family again. I promise you."

Sophia threw her arms around her father's neck, hugging him fiercely. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, sweetheart," Luca murmured, kissing her cheek.

He stood up, his eyes meeting mine over Sophia's head. The warmth in his gaze made my stomach flutter.

"Sophia," Luca said gently, "why don't you go upstairs and pick out a movie for us to watch tonight in the theater room? You can pick whatever you want."

Sophia’s face lit up. "Even the animated ones you say give you a headache?"

Luca chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that felt like music in the quiet house. "Even those."

Sophia grinned and bounded up the grand staircase, her footsteps echoing lightly.

I watched her go, a profound sense of peace settling over me. The little girl who had been crying into a bowl of soup just last night was finally free to be a child again.

I turned back to Luca. "She looks so happy."

"Because she feels safe," Luca said, stepping closer to me. "Because of you."

I looked down, suddenly feeling incredibly self-conscious standing in the grand foyer of a billionaire's mansion in my wrinkled, dirt-stained clothes.

"I should probably go pack my things," I said quietly, the reality of my situation creeping back in. "My shift ended hours ago, and I need to get back to my parents' house."

Luca frowned, reaching out to gently catch my arm before I could turn away.

"You're not packing anything, Megan," he said firmly.

"Mr. Moretti, I can't stay here," I reasoned, my voice trembling slightly. "I'm a maid. And now that Vanessa is gone, you don't need me to protect Sophia."

"I don't want you to protect her," Luca said, his voice dropping to a smooth, dangerous register. "I want you to help me raise her."

I froze, my heart pounding against my ribs. "What?"

Luca took a step closer, crowding my space in the best possible way. The scent of him—cedar and expensive soap—was intoxicating.

"I meant what I said in the car last night," Luca said, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Your parents' mortgage is paid. Your father's surgery is covered. You are never working as a maid again."

He reached out and gently touched the bandage on my right hand.

"I want you to stay here, Megan," he murmured. "Not as an employee. As my guest. As a part of this family."

"Luca, people will talk," I whispered, the fear of the social divide creeping in. "The staff, the Commission... I don't belong in your world."

"My world belongs to me," Luca stated, the undeniable authority of the mafia boss flashing in his eyes. "And I don't care what anyone says. You are the bravest, most beautiful woman I have ever met, and I am not letting you walk out that door."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pearl necklace.

The silver clasp had been repaired, the tiny initials buffed to a brilliant shine. The pearls gleamed flawlessly.

"I had Marco take this to a jeweler this morning while we were at the police station," Luca explained softly. "They cleaned the silk thread. It's perfect again."

He held the necklace up, gently turning me around. He draped the cool pearls around my neck, securing the silver clasp at the nape of my neck. His fingers brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

I turned back to face him, my hands instinctively reaching up to touch the pearls.

"Luca, these belong to Sophia," I gasped.

"They will belong to Sophia when she is older," Luca corrected, his hands resting on my waist. "But right now, she wants you to wear them. She asked me to give them to you."

My eyes filled with tears. "She did?"

Luca nodded, his thumb brushing a tear from my cheek. "She said you fought for them, so you earned the right to wear them."

I threw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest, completely overwhelmed by the love and acceptance this family was offering me.

Luca held me tight, burying his face in my hair.

"Stay with me, Megan," he whispered against my ear. "Let me take care of you."

"I'll stay," I promised, pulling back to look into his eyes. "I'll stay."

Luca smiled, leaning down to capture my lips in a deep, passionate kiss that sealed the promise between us.

But the moment was suddenly interrupted by the heavy, brass knocker on the front door echoing through the foyer.

We broke apart, Luca's mafia instincts instantly kicking in. He stepped in front of me, shielding my body with his as Marco hurried into the foyer to open the heavy wooden doors.