Page 45 of Devil's Embrace
What was happening to me in this place?Was I becoming someone I wouldn't recognize?Or was this who I'd always been beneath the surface—someone capable of violence when pushed, someone who could adapt to this dangerous world?
A sudden knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts.Three sharp raps, authoritative and unmistakable.My heart jumped into my throat, my body responding to that sound before my mind could intervene.
I smoothed my robe, tucked my hair behind my ears, then moved to open the door.Luca stood in the hallway, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his posture perfect.The scar along his jawline caught the morning light, a reminder of the violence that had shaped him.His gaze met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
"Good morning."His deep voice sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine."I hope I didn't wake you."
"I was up."I hated how breathless I sounded."Watching the sunrise."
His gaze moved past me to the window, then back to my face.Something flickered in their depths—an emotion I couldn't name but that made my chest tighten with anticipation.
"I wondered if you and Mina would join me for breakfast."The invitation sounded oddly formal given everything we'd been through together.Everything we'd done together.
I hesitated, my body betraying me with its immediate response to his proximity—heart racing, skin warming, a flutter low in my belly that had nothing to do with hunger for food.My mind screamed warnings about the dangerous path I was walking, about the monster I was allowing into my life, into my daughter's life.
But the same mind reminded me that this monster had killed to protect us.Had bled for us.Had shown Mina nothing but gentleness despite the violence in his nature.
"Mina would like that."I refused to reveal my own feelings on the matter."She's still sleeping, but I can wake her."
"No rush."Luca’s gaze dropped briefly to where my robe had parted slightly at the neck, revealing the faint shadow of a bruise his mouth had left days ago.When his gaze met mine again, his eyes had darkened with a hunger that had nothing to do with breakfast."I'll have the kitchen prepare something special for her."
The simple consideration for my daughter's happiness melted something inside me I'd been trying desperately to keep frozen.This was how he disarmed me, how he slipped past my defenses—not with grand gestures or passionate embraces, but with small kindnesses directed at Mina.
"Give us fifteen minutes."
He nodded once, his eyes never leaving mine."I'll be waiting."
As I closed the door, I pressed my forehead against the cool wood, trying to slow my racing heart.This attraction was dangerous—more dangerous than bullets or rival mobsters.Because unlike those threats, I wasn't sure I wanted to resist it anymore.
Chapter Fifteen
Emory
I guided Mina to a chair with a booster seat already in place, another small thoughtfulness that had caught me off guard.Luca stood as we entered, a gesture so old-fashioned it almost made me smile.He pulled out my chair before returning to his seat at the head of the table.Mina's eyes widened with delight as a uniformed staff member placed a plate before her—pancakes shaped like unicorns, bears, and butterflies, with fresh berries arranged in colorful patterns around the edges.She seldom ate anything else for her morning meal these days, but the staff kept finding ways to make it unique.
"Look, Mama!"She bounced slightly in her seat."They're animal pancakes!And unicorns!"
"I see that, sweet pea."I glanced at Luca.Had he specifically requested this for her?The thought made something twist uncomfortably in my chest.
"The butterfly one is for you," Mina informed Luca solemnly, pointing with her fork."Butterflies are brave 'cause they change, and you're brave."
A flicker of surprise crossed Luca's face before his expression softened in a way I'd only seen when he looked at Mina."Thank you.That's very thoughtful of you."
I watched as he placed the pancake on his plate and cut into it.The man who had executed Mateo and Mateo, Junior without hesitation now carefully ate a butterfly-shaped pancake because a five-year-old had designated it for him.The contrast was so stark it was almost absurd.
"Would you like some help cutting those?"Luca asked Mina, nodding toward her plate where she was struggling to saw through a unicorn's horn with her child-sized fork.
"Yes, please."She pushed her plate toward him.
I observed in silent amazement as Luca Moretti, the Devil himself, meticulously cut a unicorn pancake into perfect bite-sized pieces for my daughter.His hands, which I'd seen covered in blood just days ago, moved with surprising gentleness as he prepared her food, then slid the plate back to her.
"Thank you."Mina speared a piece with her fork."You cut it better than Mama."
“He did not!"I protested automatically, but found myself smiling despite the minor betrayal.
Luca's gaze met mine over Mina's head, a hint of amusement lurking there.For a moment, we were just three people sharing breakfast, no violence or death hanging between us.The illusion was so perfect, so enticing, that I allowed myself to sink into it, accepting the coffee a staff member poured for me, taking a bite of my own perfectly prepared omelet.
"Is the bad man gone forever now?"Mina asked suddenly, her voice innocent but her question landing like a grenade on the table.
