Chapter 10 - THE PRICE OF PROTECTIONBy dawn, the estate was secure. Federal authorities—or rather, the specific government officials on Matteo’s payroll—had arrived and quietly removed Bianca and her conspirators, ensuring the incident never reached the public eye.
The grand foyer was quiet again, the broken glass swept away, the bloodstains washed from the marble.
Clara sat on a velvet bench in the courtyard, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of black coffee. Bruno rested his massive head heavily across her lap, fast asleep, snoring softly.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel. Matteo walked up, wearing a clean black coat, his expression unreadable. He sat down beside her on the bench.
"You handled yourself remarkably well last night for a clumsy maid," Matteo remarked quietly.
"I told you," Clara replied, staring out at the rising sun melting the snow on the courtyard. "I'm better when nobody is watching. Though having a 150-pound guard dog definitely helps."
Matteo chuckled—a rare, genuine sound that made the harsh lines of his face completely disappear. "He likes you. In fact, he likes you more than he likes me. That’s a dangerous precedent."
Clara turned her head to look at him, her heart skipping a beat. "What happens now, Matteo? Grant is gone. Bianca is gone. I don't have a job as a maid anymore."
"No, you don't," Matteo agreed, turning to face her fully. His dark eyes held hers with an intensity that made it difficult to breathe. "I don't need a maid. But I do need someone I can trust. Someone who isn't afraid of my dog, my enemies, or me."
"And what position is that?" Clara asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"My equal," Matteo said simply. "A partner. Here, inside the fortress. Though I must warn you—my protection comes with a price. You will never be able to leave this world behind."
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Clara looked down at Bruno, then back up at the most feared man in the city—the only man who had ever truly seen her, protected her, and valued her strength.
She placed her hand over Matteo’s gloved hand, feeling the solid warmth beneath. "I spent my whole life running, Matteo. I'm done running."
