Chapter 2 - The Weight of Sapphire
Luca fled. The doors of the service elevator shut behind him with a heavy shudder, leaving the corridor in absolute silence.
Elena stood frozen near the grand double doors of the penthouse, staring down at her left hand. The dark sapphire caught the soft light of the overhead chandeliers, heavy and cold against her knuckle. Mia let out a soft yawn, rubbing her face against Elena’s shoulder.
“In,” Alessandro commanded gently, taking the heavy leather bag from Elena’s shoulder and holding the penthouse door open.
She walked inside, her mind spinning. The penthouse was a sprawling fortress of glass, dark marble, and polished hardwood overlooking the sprawling skyline of the city. For months, it had been her refuge—a place where no one asked where she came from or why she arrived six months pregnant with a battered suitcase and no money.
Alessandro closed the door and turned to Marco. “Put two men at the street entrance. Four on the parking levels. If Luca Moretti touches the pavement near this building, bring him to the basement.”
“Yes, Don Alessandro,” Marco replied, bowing his head before departing down the hall.
Elena turned to face Alessandro, her knuckles white as she cradled Mia. “Why did you do that?”
Alessandro unbuttoned his suit jacket, tossing it over the back of an armchair. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing the dark ink of syndicate tattoos creeping up his forearms. “Because he threatened you.”
“You didn't have to put your family’s ring on my finger to drive him away,” she whispered. “You could have had Marco throw him out.”
“Marco throwing him out solves the problem for ten minutes,” Alessandro said, walking toward her. He stopped a foot away, his tall frame blocking out the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Luca Moretti is a coward, Elena. But cowards talk. He knows you live here now. He knows about the baby. If he goes to the street, the other families will think you are my vulnerability.”
He reached out, his thumb gently brushing a strand of dark hair away from her cheek. Mia reached out with her small hand, grabbing Alessandro’s thumb with her tiny fingers. Alessandro’s expression softened instantly, his harsh features melting as he let the baby hold his finger.
“If they think you are a servant I protect out of pity, they will target you to get to me,” Alessandro explained quietly. “If they know you wear the Duca crest, touching you means war with every soldier I command.”
Elena swallowed hard, looking down at the ring. “It’s a fake engagement.”
“It is protection,” Alessandro corrected. “Though the city will not know the difference.”
May you like
“And when the city expects a wedding?” Elena asked, raising her eyes to meet his. “When your lieutenants ask why the Don of the city is marrying his maid?”
Alessandro looked down at her, his slate-gray eyes unreadable. “Then we give them a wedding.”
