Chapter 2 - THE PROTECTOR’S VOWBy 8:00 PM, Marcone Manor was under total lockdown.
Heavy steel shutters covered every window, and thirty armed guards in black tactical gear patrolled the perimeter. Outside, rain beat relentlessly against the glass, matching the storm brewing inside the estate.
In the private family quarters on the second floor, little Lena Bellini sat on a plush velvet armchair, clutching a mug of warm hot chocolate. Her mother, Sophia, sat beside her with an ice pack pressed against her bruised cheek, watching Lorenzo pace back and forth in front of the marble fireplace.
Lorenzo had stripped off his suit jacket, rolling his crisp white shirt sleeves up to his elbows, revealing the intricate dark tattoos tracing his forearms.
He stopped pacing and turned to the young mother.
"My brother is safe," Lorenzo announced, his voice steadying the room. "Marco’s team pulled him out of Pier 4 thirty seconds before the Chicago syndicate blew the warehouse. You saved my brother’s life today, Sophia."
Sophia looked down at her hands, her shoulders shaking. "I was so scared, Mr. Moretti. When Miss Valentina threatened Lena... I thought I lost everything."
Lorenzo walked over and knelt on one knee in front of Sophia’s chair, putting him at eye level with her.
Despite being the most feared mob kingpin in the tri-state area, his touch was surprisingly gentle as he reached out, taking her trembling hand in his large, warm palm.
"Look at me, Sophia," Lorenzo commanded softly.
Sophia raised her dark brown eyes to meet his.
"You have served my family for four years," Lorenzo said, his hazel eyes burning with an intense, unshakeable sincerity. "You cooked for my father when he was dying, you kept my home running when I was at war, and today you risked your life for my brother. Under Moretti law, you are not staff. You are blood."
Little Lena put her hot chocolate down and leaned over the arm of the chair, looking at Lorenzo. "Is the mean lady gone, Mr. Lorenzo?"
A soft, genuine smile broke across Lorenzo’s harsh face—a rare sight that made Sophia’s heart skip a beat.
"She’s in a locked room where she can never hurt you or your mama again, little one," Lorenzo promised, gently tweaking Lena’s nose.
He turned back to Sophia, his expression growing serious.
"The Ricci family will find out that Valentina failed," Lorenzo explained. "When they realize she was captured, Don Hector will target everyone linked to this house. You and Lena cannot stay in the servants' quarters anymore."
"Where will we go?" Sophia asked nervously. "I don't have anywhere else..."
"You stay here," Lorenzo declared, standing up. "In the master suite. Next to my room. I am placing six of my best soldiers outside your door 24/7."
Sophia’s jaw dropped. "The master suite?! Mr. Moretti, that’s where your guests... where your family stays! I am just the housekeeper!"
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Lorenzo took a step closer, his tall, imposing figure casting a warm shadow over her. His eyes darkened with an unspoken, magnetic heat that made the breath catch in her throat.
"Not anymore, Sophia," Lorenzo murmured, his voice dropping to a low, husky register. "From tonight on, you are under my personal protection. Anyone who wants to touch you will have to go through me first."
