Chapter 4

An Offer She Couldn't Refuse

The entire ride home, Elena's words refused to leave my mind.

The newly appointed head of the Moretti Mafia.

Every news headline suddenly made sense.

The international business deals.

The sudden change in leadership.

The rumors surrounding the Moretti family.

And me...

I'd spent the night with the man everyone feared.

I unlocked my apartment door, only to find Elena pacing back and forth in my living room.

The moment she saw me, she rushed over and grabbed my shoulders.

"Tell me he didn't touch you."

Heat crept up my neck.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Her eyes widened.

"Oh my God."

She covered her mouth.

"He did."

"It's not what you're thinking."

"It's exactly what I'm thinking!"

I gently pushed her hands away.

"Would you relax?"

"Relax?" she repeated. "Aurora, do you have any idea who that man is?"

"I do now."

"You should never see him again."

I wanted to agree.

I really did.

After everything that had happened with Damian, getting involved with a mafia boss sounded like the worst decision imaginable.

"I won't."

The words left my mouth with surprising confidence.

"It was one date."

One unexpected night.

Nothing more.

Or so I thought.

***

The next morning, I arrived at De Luca Group headquarters for the first time since my divorce.

The moment the elevator doors opened, conversations stopped.

Some looked at me with pity.

Others with curiosity.

A few didn't even bother hiding their amusement.

News traveled fast among the wealthy.

Everyone knew Damian had divorced me.

Everyone knew he'd gone back to Seraphina.

I kept my head high.

I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

As I approached my office, my assistant hurried toward me carrying a black envelope.

"Ms. De Luca... this was delivered for you first thing this morning."

There was no sender's name.

Only a single silver seal.

I frowned before opening it.

Inside was a handwritten card.

Lunch.

Today. One o'clock.

You still owe me a proper goodbye.

— Lucian

Before I could process it, my phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

Against my better judgment...

I answered.

"Hello?"

"I was beginning to think you'd ignore my invitation."

His deep voice sent an unexpected warmth through me.

"You found my number?"

"I have my ways."

"I thought we agreed last night was a mistake."

A soft chuckle came through the phone.

"I don't remember agreeing to that."

I couldn't help smiling.

That was exactly the problem.

Neither could I.

"You should stay away from me," I said quietly.

"Because I'm dangerous?"

"Because you're a mafia boss."

Silence.

Then—

"Does that frighten you?"

I looked out the window, watching people rush through the streets below.

It should have.

Every sensible part of me knew it should.

Instead...

"I'm more afraid of how calm I feel when I'm with you."

His laughter was low and genuine.

"I'll see you at one, Aurora."

Before I could refuse...

He hung up.

I stared at the phone in disbelief.

Somehow...

Without asking.

Without demanding.

Without forcing me.

Lucian Moretti had just made me want to see him again.

By the time I left the office, the sky had faded into shades of orange and gold.

I stood outside the building for a moment, staring at the message on my phone.

I'll send someone to pick you up at seven.

No pressure.

No insistence.

Just a simple sentence.

I could still say no.

A part of me knew I probably should.

He was the head of the Moretti family—a man whose name was spoken in whispers. Every article Elena had shoved in front of me painted him as ruthless, calculating, and untouchable.

None of those descriptions matched the man I'd met the night before.

The Lucian I knew apologized when he was late.

He listened more than he spoke.

He made me laugh when I hadn't thought it was possible.

I let out a quiet sigh.

Maybe one dinner wouldn't hurt.

---

At exactly seven o'clock, a sleek black sedan pulled up outside my apartment.

The driver stepped out and opened the rear door.

"Good evening, Ms. Rossi."

The name caught me off guard.

For years, hearing it had made me smile.

Now it only reminded me of a marriage that had fallen apart.

"It's Aurora," I corrected gently.

The driver nodded with an apologetic smile.

"My apologies, Miss Aurora."

The ride was quiet.

As the city lights passed by, I found myself wondering what Lucian's home would be like.

For some reason, I'd imagined something extravagant—marble floors, intimidating security, and guards standing at every entrance.

Instead, the penthouse was surprisingly warm.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering skyline. Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with novels, history books, and biographies. A grand piano rested near the windows, and a small olive tree stood in the corner, giving the room an unexpected sense of life.

It didn't feel like the home of a feared mafia boss.

It felt... lived in.

"You look disappointed."

I turned to find Lucian watching me, one corner of his mouth lifted in amusement.

"I was expecting something a little more intimidating."

"Oh?"

"I don't know." I shrugged, embarrassed. "More guards. More expensive decorations. Maybe a secret underground dungeon."

A quiet laugh escaped him.

"I'll have to remember that."

"So there isn't a dungeon?"

"I'm afraid not."

"I've been misled."

His laugh came easier this time, and I couldn't help smiling.

It was strange.

I'd only known him for two days, yet being around him felt effortless.

Dinner was simple.

Nothing extravagant.

Just two people sharing a meal while the city glowed outside.

For a while we talked about ordinary things—travel, music, the best coffee in the city.

Then, somewhere between dessert and another cup of coffee, the conversation became quieter.

More personal.

Lucian leaned back in his chair.

"You've been carrying something around all evening."

I looked down at my cup.

"Am I that obvious?"

"Only to someone paying attention."

His answer caught me off guard.

No one had paid attention to me in a long time.

I traced the rim of the cup with my finger.

"My parents adopted me when I was young."

The words felt heavier spoken aloud.

"I used to think that made me lucky."

A sad smile touched my lips.

"It wasn't until Seraphina came back that I realized I was only filling an empty space."

The memories came flooding back.

Every birthday where my parents compared us.

Every family dinner where my achievements were ignored.

Every time I convinced myself that if I just tried a little harder, they'd finally look at me the way they looked at her.

"They always chose her," I whispered.

"When Damian left..." I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. "It felt like history repeating itself."

Silence settled between us.

Not uncomfortable.

Patient.

Lucian never rushed me.

He simply waited.

Finally, he spoke.

"I know."

I looked up.

"You know?"

He gave a small nod.

"I looked into your background."

I should have been angry.

Instead, I found myself curious.

"Why?"

"Because I don't let strangers into my life without knowing who they are."

There was no apology in his voice.

Just honesty.

"My report told me who your family was," he continued.

His eyes met mine.

"It didn't tell me who you are."

Something inside me softened.

For the first time in years, I felt seen.

Not as Damian's ex-wife.

Not as the adopted daughter who was never enough.

Just...

Aurora.

Outside, the city lights shimmered against the glass, and for the first time since my divorce, the future didn't feel quite so frightening.