Chapter 2 Into the Lion's Den

Maria stood in front of her closet, her phone buzzing insistently on the bed behind her. It was 6:45 PM, and Luca's driver would be outside in fifteen minutes. She had spent the entire day second-guessing her decision. Agreeing to dinner with him felt reckless, even dangerous, but something deep inside her urged her forward.

Her wardrobe wasn't designed for this. Pencil skirts and tailored blazers-her professional armour-lined the racks, along with a few casual pieces for weekend errands. Nothing screamed, "Dinner with a mafia kingpin."

She finally settled on a simple black dress, one that clung to her curves without being too revealing. Pairing it with a gold necklace and black heels, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked elegant but understated, professional yet alluring.

Her phone buzzed again. This time it wasn't a text-it was a call. "Hello? Miss Moretti," a smooth, unfamiliar voice said. "This is Antonio. I'm outside, ready to escort you to your destination." She swallowed hard, the reality of the situation hitting her. "I'll be right down."

The black car idling at the curb was the same one Luca had used to drop her off after coffee the other day. Antonio, the driver, stepped out to open the door for her, his demeanour polite but impassive. "Thank you," Maria murmured, sliding into the back seat.

The interior was just as luxurious as she remembered. The scent of leather and Luca's cologne lingered faintly in the air, and the seats were so comfortable it felt like sitting on clouds. As the car pulled away, Maria clutched her purse tightly, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her. The city lights blurred past the window, but she barely noticed them. "Do you know where we're going?" she asked, breaking the silence.

Antonio glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "You'll find out soon enough, Miss Moretti. Mr. DeLuca enjoys his surprises." His answer did little to calm her nerves. " Oh, okay." She stared out the window, her mind racing with possibilities. Was this a test? A trap? Or was it simply dinner, as he had promised?

The car eventually pulled into a gated estate on the outskirts of the city. The towering iron gates parted silently, revealing a long driveway lined with neatly trimmed hedges and flickering lanterns. The house at the end was less of a house and more of a mansion-grand, imposing, and utterly out of place in Maria's world. Antonio parked near the entrance and opened her door. "Mr. DeLuca is waiting for you inside."

Maria stepped out, her heels clicking against the stone driveway. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of roses from the sprawling gardens surrounding the property. The massive oak doors opened before she could knock, revealing Luca standing in the foyer. He was dressed in a tailored navy suit, his silver tie catching the light. His grey eyes lit up when he saw her, and for a moment, the tension in her chest eased.

"You made it, I thought you were going to, change your mind," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "I almost did," Maria admitted, her lips curving into a hesitant smile. "I'm glad didn't you changed your mind," Luca replied, stepping aside to let her in.

The interior of the mansion was as breathtaking as its exterior. High ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and marble floors stretched out in every direction. Paintings adorned the walls, each one more extravagant than the last. Luca led her through the foyer and into a dining room that looked like it belonged in a palace. A long table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, but instead of taking a seat, Luca guided her to a smaller table near the window. It was intimate, the kind of setting that made her stomach flutter.

"Do you always eat like this?" Maria asked, gesturing to the lavish setup. Luca chuckled, pouring wine into her glass. "Only when the company is worth it." Maria's cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away.

The first course arrived-handmade ravioli in a creamy truffle sauce. Maria was reluctant to admit how much she enjoyed it, but her empty plate betrayed her. "I hope it's to your liking," Luca said, his tone teasing. "It's delicious," she admitted, setting her fork down. "But I doubt you brought me here just to feed me." Luca leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine glass thoughtfully. "You're right. I didn't."

Maria tensed, her lawyer instincts kicking in. "Then why am I here?" Luca's gaze softened, but his words were sharp. "Because I see something in you, Maria. Something different." "Different? How?" she pressed. "You're not like the others," he said simply. "You don't flinch in the face of danger. You question everything, even when it's easier not to. That's a rare quality, Maria."

Maria's pulse quickened. She wanted to dismiss his words as manipulation, but the sincerity in his voice was hard to ignore. "I'm a lawyer," she said, forcing herself to stay grounded. "I have to question everything and anything." "And that's exactly why I need someone like you," Luca replied, his expression unreadable. Maria frowned. "Need me? For what exactly?"

Before Luca could answer, the doors to the dining room burst open. A man in a dark suit strode in, his face pale and his movements frantic. "Apologies, Mr. DeLuca," he said, glancing nervously at Maria. "But we have a situation." "I am busy can't it wait?" Luca asked trying to hide the irritation from his face. Then the man whispered something into his ear, Luca stood up immediately, his demeanour shifting in an instant. The warmth he had shown Maria was replaced by cold, steely authority. " Please, excuse me for a moment," he said, his voice clipped.

Maria watched as he followed the man out of the room, her curiosity piqued despite herself. She waited a few minutes, then stood, hesitating only briefly before slipping out of the dining room. The sound of raised voices guided her down a corridor. She stopped just short of an open door, peeking inside to see Luca standing at the head of a table. A group of men surrounded him, each one looking more dangerous than the last. Maps and documents were spread out on the table, and the tension in the room was palpable.

"This isn't just about territory," Luca was saying, his voice low but commanding. "If Dominic thinks he can move against us, he's mistaken." Maria's heart raced as she realized what she was witnessing. This wasn't just dinner. This was Luca's world, the underbelly of power and danger he lived in every day. She backed away slowly, her breath catching when she bumped into something solid.

"Enjoying the show?" Maria spun around to find Luca standing behind her, his expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. "I-I didn't mean to..." "It's all right," he interrupted, his tone softening. "I told you I wanted you to see the real me. I just didn't expect it to happen tonight." Maria looked into his eyes, searching for answers. "Why did you bring me here, Luca? Really?" "Because I need someone I can trust," he said simply. "And I think that someone might be you." Maria's breath hitched as she stared at him, her mind racing. She had stepped into the lion's den, and now there was no turning back.

Maria didn't know how to respond. Luca's words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning. Trust was a dangerous thing in her line of work, and she knew better than to give it freely-especially to a man like him. "I'm not sure what you think I can offer you," Maria said cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper. Luca's eyes softened, but his intensity remained. "Perspective. Insight. Honesty. You see the world differently than the people I'm used to dealing with. That makes you valuable."

"Valuable how?" she pressed, crossing her arms as if the gesture could shield her from the weight of his gaze. "Let's just say that in my world, having someone who isn't afraid to challenge me is... refreshing," Luca replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maria's lips parted in protest, but before she could respond, the man from earlier reappeared in the hallway. "Mr. DeLuca," he said, his voice urgent. "We need to move quickly. Dominic's men are already on the docks."

Luca's expression darkened. He gave the man a curt nod before turning back to Maria. "I'm afraid our evening is being cut short," he said. "Antonio will take you home." Maria blinked, caught off guard by the abrupt change in tone. "What's going on?" "Nothing you need to worry about," Luca said firmly. He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. "But I need you to trust me. Can you do that?" Maria hesitated, her instincts warring with the strange sense of safety she felt in his presence. Against her better judgment, she nodded. "Good," Luca said, his voice softening. "I'll see you again soon."

Maria found herself back in the black car, Antonio silent behind the wheel as they sped through the city. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more troubling than the last. What had she just witnessed? And why had Luca been so adamant about earning her trust? By the time she reached her apartment, Maria felt no closer to understanding the man who had so effortlessly turned her world upside down. She stepped out of the car, pausing briefly to thank Antonio, but the driver simply nodded before pulling away.

The silence of her apartment was almost oppressive. She kicked off her heels and sank onto the couch, her fingers brushing against the delicate petals of the rose Luca had sent her earlier. "In my world, trust is earned." His words echoed in her mind, their meaning becoming clearer with every passing moment. Luca was dangerous, but there was something else about him. Something that made her feel seen in a way she hadn't felt in years.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, her breath catching when she saw the message. "Thank you for tonight. Sweet dreams, Maria. -L" She stared at the message for a long time, her heart pounding in her chest.

Across town, Luca stood on the docks, the cold night air biting at his skin. The sound of waves crashing against the pier was almost soothing, but the tension in the air was palpable. Dominic's men were gathered in the distance, their faces shadowed by the dim light of the lampposts. Luca's men flanked him, their hands resting on the weapons hidden beneath their coats.

"This ends tonight," Luca said, his voice low but firm. "Are you sure about this, boss?" one of his men asked, glancing nervously at the opposing group. Luca's grey eyes were steely as he nodded. "Dominic crossed a line. He needs to be reminded who's in charge." As he stepped forward, the tension between the two groups reached its peak. Dominic emerged from the shadows, a smug grin plastered across his face.

"Well, well," Dominic said, his voice dripping with mockery. "The mighty Luca DeLuca graces us with his presence. To what do we owe the honour?" "You know why I'm here," Luca replied, his tone sharp. "You've been testing my patience, Dominic. That ends now." Dominic chuckled, shaking his head. "You think you can scare me? You're not the only one with power, Luca." The standoff escalated quickly, threats were exchanged and weapons were drawn. But Luca remained calm, his calculated demeanour a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him.

Maria woke to the sound of her phone buzzing incessantly on the nightstand. She groaned, rubbing her eyes as she reached for it. "Hello?" "Maria, it's Carmen," her assistant said, her voice urgent. "You need to turn on the news." Maria sat up, her heart sinking at the tone in Carmen's voice. She grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV, her breath catching at the headline scrolling across the screen. "Violence Erupts at City Docks: Police Investigating Possible Mafia Involvement."

Footage showed the aftermath of the confrontation-shattered crates, bloodstains on the ground, and police swarming the area. Maria's stomach turned as she recognized the location. She didn't need anyone to tell her who had been involved. Her phone buzzed again, this time with a text. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. -L"

Maria stared at the message, her emotions a tangled mess of relief, anger, and confusion. She had been dragged into Luca's world, and now there was no escaping it. She didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: her life would never be the same.