She attacked the curvy nanny in front of everyone, then the mafia boss walked in and called her his wife

That night, the Castellano estate on the Long Island Sound was bathed in warm, golden light.

The rain had finally cleared, leaving behind a crisp, starry night sky that reflected off the dark, calm waters of the harbor.

The Meridian Capital merger had been officially finalized at 6:00 p.m., with Arthur Thorne and Vanessa Thorne permanently removed from the board and replaced by Luca’s trusted financial advisors. The Castellano Holding Syndicate was more secure than it had ever been in its fifty-year history.

In the grand dining room, a modest, private dinner had been set for three.

Five-year-old Leo sat in his high chair, his cheeks messy with chocolate ice cream, giggling hysterically as Nora fed him fresh strawberries.

Luca sat at the head of the table, sipping a glass of deep red Tuscan wine, watching the two of them with an expression of quiet, profound peace that his lieutenants had never seen on his face before.

“Mommy, look!” Leo cheered, holding up a berry that looked vaguely like a heart. “It’s for you!”

Nora leaned down and kissed his sticky cheek. “Thank you, sweetie. It’s perfect.”

Leo yawned, his small eyes drooping as the excitement of the day finally caught up with him.

“I think someone needs bed,” Nora said softly, turning to Luca.

Luca stood up, walked around the long table, and gently lifted his son into his arms. Leo immediately tucked his head into Luca’s neck, his small thumb drifting toward his mouth.

“I’ll put him down,” Luca whispered, his eyes lingering on Nora’s face. “Will you meet me on the terrace in ten minutes?”

Nora felt a warm blush rise to her cheeks. “I’ll be there.”

Ten minutes later, Nora wrapped a thick cream-colored cashmere shawl around her shoulders and stepped out onto the wide stone terrace overlooking the water.

The sea breeze was cool and fresh, carrying the salty scent of the tide.

Luca was standing by the stone balustrade, two glasses of champagne resting on the flat stone ledge beside him. He had removed his suit jacket, wearing only his dark silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the powerful, tattooed forearms beneath.

Nora walked over to him, stopping right beside his side.

Luca picked up a glass of champagne and handed it to her. “To the new CEO of household operations.”

Nora clinked her glass against his, taking a small sip. “I think the operation is running pretty smoothly now.”

“It is,” Luca murmured, looking out at the dark water. “The board ratified the merger this evening. My uncle Marco has officially surrendered his voting proxy. My control of the estate is absolute.”

Nora looked down at her glass, a sudden, quiet hesitation entering her chest.

“Then... your contract is secured,” she said softly, her voice barely louder than the sound of the waves striking the rocks below.

Luca turned his body to face her fully. “What do you mean?”

“Our agreement,” Nora explained, looking up into his dark eyes. “The six-month clause. You have voting control now. Your uncle can't challenge your custody of Leo anymore.”

She took a slow breath, trying to keep her voice steady.

“If you want to amend the two-year timeline... if you want to dissolve the marriage early so you can find someone who fits your permanent corporate life... I understand, Luca. You’ve done more for me than anyone ever has.”

Luca stared at her for three agonizing seconds.

Then he set his champagne glass down on the stone ledge with a sharp clink.

He stepped forward, closing the distance between them until Nora was pinned gently against the balustrade, surrounded entirely by his massive frame and the deep, intoxicating scent of his cedarwood cologne.

“Nora Bennett,” Luca said, his voice dropping into a dark, rough rumble that vibrated against her chest. “Are you completely insane?”

Nora blinked, startled. “Luca... I was just saying—”

“I don't give a damn about the contract,” Luca interrupted, reaching out and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her soft body tightly against his chest. “I didn't care about the contract three weeks ago.”

Nora’s breath hitched. “You... you didn't?”

“I brought you into this house because I needed a savior for my son,” Luca whispered, his face inches from hers. “But within forty-eight hours, I realized that I was the one who needed saving.”

He brought his hand up, his long fingers tangling gently into her dark, wavy hair.

“Do you really think I let you stand in front of my board because of a legal document?” Luca murmured, his eyes blazing with absolute, unadulterated passion. “Do you think I brought down Whitmore’s firm because of a business agreement? I did it because I am completely, irrevocably, helplessly in love with you, Nora.”

Nora felt the tears finally rise to her eyes—not tears of pain, not tears of grief, but pure, overwhelming joy that flooded every single corner of her soul.

“Luca...” she breathed.

“I love your mind,” Luca whispered, leaning down until his lips were brushing against hers. “I love your fierce, unstoppable courage. I love every single curve of your beautiful, breathtaking body. And if you think I am ever letting you leave this estate, Mrs. Castellano, you are severely underestimating how selfish a mob boss can be.”