Chapter 3 - FRANCESCO MORETTI
The man who entered was a commanding presence.
He was nothing like Vincent. That was Faith’s immediate thought. Where Vincent was loudly confident and constantly seeking validation, this man possessed an effortless, terrifying quietude.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, carrying himself with fluid grace. His dark hair was neatly styled, graying slightly at the temples. His espresso-colored eyes swept across the room, taking in every detail with practiced precision. He wore a charcoal-gray three-piece suit that was impeccably tailored to his frame.
Everything about him signaled authority—the kind that never needed to raise its voice to be obeyed.
“Miss Buchanan,” he said. His voice was low and resonant, carrying the rich Italian accent she remembered from the darkness of the alley. “I trust you slept comfortably.”
Faith found herself standing straighter, her nursing posture kicking in automatically. “I did. Thank you, Mr. Moretti. Thank you for saving my life last night. I don't know how I can ever repay you.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “There is no debt. You were in danger, and I had the means to assist. Any civilized man would have done the same.”
The faint emphasis he placed on the word civilized was subtle, but Faith caught it. It was an implicit dismissal of the man who had left her in the cold without a second thought.
“Maria tells me you are a nurse,” Francesco said, stepping further into the room and motioning toward a pair of leather armchairs. “At Mount Sinai?”
“Yes,” Faith replied, sitting carefully opposite him. “Or at least, I was supposed to be. Yesterday was scheduled to be my first day on the cardiac care floor.”
“Supposed to be?”
Faith hesitated, unaccustomed to sharing her vulnerabilities with strangers, yet finding it oddly natural under his steady gaze. “I missed my orientation. The hospital has strict policies regarding unexcused absences. Given the circumstances, I assume they’ve already replaced me.”
It hurt to say it out loud. That position had represented her independence—the proof that she could build a stable life on her own merits without relying on anyone else.
Francesco observed her silently for a moment. Then he reached into his jacket, withdrew a sleek phone, and selected a contact.
He placed the call on speaker, resting the device on the small table between them.
“Dr. Williams,” Francesco said smoothly when the line connected.
“Mr. Moretti,” a sharp, professional voice replied from the speaker. Faith instantly recognized it as Dr. Patricia Williams, the formidable head of cardiac nursing at Mount Sinai. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I am calling regarding one of your new hires, Faith Buchanan,” Francesco said, his tone casual yet unyielding. “She encountered a severe personal emergency yesterday evening that rendered her unable to contact the hospital. She is currently recovering under my care.”
There was a brief pause on the line. Faith held her breath.
“I see,” Dr. Williams said, her tone softening noticeably. “Miss Buchanan came highly recommended from her clinical rotations. We were concerned when she failed to report. If she is with you, Mr. Moretti, I assume the matter was serious.”
“It was,” Francesco said calmly. “She will require a few days to fully recover. I expect her position will remain open until she is ready to return.”
“Of course,” Dr. Williams responded without a moment’s hesitation. “Her spot on the cardiac floor is secure. Have her contact my office whenever she is prepared to begin her onboarding. Give her my best regards.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Francesco ended the call and placed the phone back into his pocket.
Faith stared at him, stunned by how effortlessly he had resolved an issue that had caused her hours of despair. “How... why did she agree to that so easily? Who are you, Mr. Moretti?”
Francesco leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. His dark eyes remained fixed on hers.
“I am a man with extensive interests in this city, Miss Buchanan,” he said quietly. “Mount Sinai benefits greatly from my family’s charitable foundation. More importantly, I value competence and dedication. It would be a waste for a talented nurse to lose her career over the actions of a cowardly man.”
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Faith felt a flush of warmth rise to her cheeks. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” Francesco replied. “I know you fought to survive in a blizzard rather than remain in a house where you were disrespected. That tells me everything I need to know about your character.”
