Chapter 17 - A Shift in Power
Two weeks after the fall of the Russian syndicate, the Duca penthouse was restored to its former pristine glory. The shattered glass was replaced; the blood was washed from the marble floors; the armed sentries stood at attention with renewed, fanatical pride.
But everything within the household had fundamentally changed.
Lena was no longer wearing the gray scrubs of a caregiver. She wore a tailored black dress, her dark hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders, standing in the center of the grand foyer where her file had once been thrown like trash.
Caruso approached her, bowing his head slightly—a gesture of profound respect that he usually reserved only for Marco and Isabella. "Miss Carter. The vehicle is ready whenever you and your sister wish to visit the clinic."
"Thank you, Caruso," Lena said softly.
The security chief lingered for a moment, a faint smile touching his rugged face. "For what it's worth, ma'am... the boys and I are glad you stayed. This house was a graveyard before you got here."
Before Lena could reply, the heavy double doors of the master study opened. Marco stepped out, dressed in his signature dark suit, his eyes immediately finding hers across the grand expanse of the room. The coldness that had once defined his presence was entirely absent when he looked at her.
He walked toward her, the guards naturally parting to give them space. He stopped in front of her, offering his arm without a word.
"Isabella is asking for her afternoon reading," Marco said, his voice warm, rich, and intimate. "And after that... I believe you and I have dinner plans."
May you like
Lena slipped her arm through his, feeling the solid, protective strength of him beneath the fine wool of his coat. "Are we going out into the city, Mr. Duca?"
Marco smirked, his dark eyes dancing with quiet devotion. "The city belongs to us, Lena. We can go wherever you want."
