Chapter 3 Boundaries and Loyalties

Maria paced back and forth in her living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. The text from Luca-"I'm fine. Don't worry about me"-was a poor attempt to reassure her, and it was doing anything but that. She knew she shouldn't care. He was a client at best, and a complication at worst. But her thoughts kept circling back to him, to the way he had looked at her, the way he had spoken to her with a mixture of confidence and vulnerability.

Her legal training told her to cut ties with him now before she got pulled in any deeper. Yet her heart, defying all logic, told her to stay. Maria's internal conflict was interrupted by a knock at her door. She froze, her pulse quickening. She hadn't told anyone where she lived, and her friends rarely visited unannounced. Cautiously, she approached the door, her fingers brushing the cool metal of the lock as she peered through the peephole.

Luca stood on the other side, his suit slightly dishevelled and his expression unreadable. Maria hesitated before opening the door. "Luca? What are you doing here?" "I needed to see you," he said simply, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Maria closed the door, her nerves on edge as she turned to face him. "You can't just show up at my apartment unannounced."

Luca's gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to invade your space. But after what happened tonight..." He trailed off, running a hand through his dark hair. Maria crossed her arms, her frustration mingling with concern. "What happened tonight? I saw the news, Luca. People were hurt, and some might have been killed. Is that the kind of world you live in?"

Luca met her gaze, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity. "It's not a world I chose, Maria. But it's the one I was born into. And sometimes, you have to fight to protect what's yours." "And what exactly is yours?" she asked, her voice laced with scepticism. Luca took a step closer, his presence both intimidating and magnetic. "Right now? You." Maria's breath hitched, her resolve faltering under the weight of his words.

Luca's declaration hung in the air, heavy and electrifying. Maria opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She felt torn between two opposing forces, her duty to uphold the law and the undeniable pull she felt toward him. "Luca," she began, her voice wavering, "you can't just-" Before she could finish, Luca stepped back, his expression shifting to one of regret. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have come here. I didn't mean to drag you into this." He turned toward the door, but Maria's hand shot out, grabbing his arm. "Wait."

Luca stopped, his eyes searching hers. "I don't know what this is," Maria admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But if we're going to figure it out, you need to be honest with me. No more half-truths. No more secrets." Luca nodded, his gaze steady. "I can do that. But honesty goes both ways, Maria. Are you ready to admit that you feel something too?" Maria's silence was answer enough.

Elsewhere in the city, Dominic Romano sat in his dimly lit office, a cigar smouldering between his fingers. The confrontation on the docks hadn't gone as planned, but it was far from over. "DeLuca thinks he can humiliate me," Dominic growled, his voice thick with rage. "But he doesn't realize who he's dealing with." One of his lieutenants, a wiry man named Carlo, shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "What's the plan, boss?"

Dominic leaned forward, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "We hit him where it hurts. He wants to play the hero? Fine. Let's see how he handles being the villain." Carlo frowned, unsure of what Dominic meant, but he nodded obediently. "What do you need me to do?" "Find out what or who he cares about," Dominic said, his tone cold and calculating. "Everyone has a weakness. We just have to find and exploit his."

Back at Maria's apartment, Luca lingered in the doorway, his hesitation a stark contrast to the confidence he usually exuded. "There's something I need to ask you," he said, his voice low. Maria crossed her arms, her scepticism returning. "What is it?" "I need someone I can trust to handle a legal matter," Luca explained. "Someone who won't just follow orders but will do what's right."

Maria raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me to be your lawyer?" "Not officially," Luca admitted. "I know you'd never agree to that. But I need your advice. There's a deal coming up-one that could end this feud with Dominic once and for all. But it has to be handled carefully." Maria hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to say no. Getting involved with Luca's world was a risk she couldn't afford to take. But the look in his eyes, the vulnerability hidden beneath the surface-made it impossible to refuse. "I'll listen," she said cautiously. "But I'm not making any promises." Luca's expression softened, a hint of gratitude flickering in his eyes. "That's all I ask."

After Luca left, Maria sat alone in her living room, her mind racing. She had spent her entire career fighting to uphold the law, to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. But Luca's world was one where the lines between right and wrong were blurred, where loyalty and survival took precedence over justice. She thought about the way he had looked at her, the way he had spoken to her with a mixture of confidence and vulnerability. Despite everything, she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him. But then there was Adrian-steady, dependable Adrian, who had been her anchor for years. She knew he cared for her, even if he had never said it outright. Maria sighed, rubbing her temples. Her heart was a battlefield, torn between two men who represented two very different paths.

Meanwhile, Dominic's plan was already in motion. Carlo had spent the night gathering intel, and by morning, he had a name: Maria Moretti. "She's a lawyer," Carlo reported, sliding a photo across Dominic's desk. "DeLuca's been seen with her a few times. Word is, he's interested." Dominic studied the photo, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "Perfect." "What do you want us to do?" Carlo asked. "Nothing yet," Dominic said, leaning back in his chair. "We'll let DeLuca dig his own grave first. But when the time comes, we'll make our move. And Maria Moretti will be the key to bringing him down."

The next morning, Maria's alarm blared at 6:00 a.m., jolting her awake. Her night had been restless, her dreams a chaotic swirl of Luca, Dominic, and the faint but looming shadow of danger. She rolled over, staring at the ceiling as reality set in: she had willingly stepped into a world she didn't belong to-a world she couldn't easily leave behind.

By the time she arrived at her office, the weight of her decisions was already pressing down on her. Carmen, her assistant, greeted her with a knowing look. "Rough night?" Carmen asked, handing Maria a coffee. "You have no idea," Maria muttered, taking a grateful sip. Before Carmen could press for details, Maria's office phone rang. She frowned, glancing at the caller ID. It was an unknown number. "Maria Moretti," she answered cautiously. "Miss Moretti," a deep, unfamiliar voice said. "I trust you're having a pleasant morning."

Maria's stomach twisted. "Who is this?" "Let's just say I'm someone with a vested interest in your association with Luca DeLuca," the man replied. His tone was calm, almost pleasant, but it carried an undercurrent of menace. Maria gripped the phone tightly. "I don't know what you're talking about." "Come now, Maria. Let's not play games," the man said, his voice hardening. "You've caught Luca's attention, and that makes you... interesting to me. But be careful, Miss Moretti. The deeper you go, the harder it will be to get out."

The line went dead, leaving Maria frozen in her chair. Her heart pounded as she stared at the phone, her mind racing. "Maria?" Carmen's voice broke through the silence. "Everything okay?" Maria forced a smile, though her hands trembled. "Yeah. Everything's fine." But it wasn't fine. Not even close.

An hour later, Maria found herself standing outside Luca's office. The sleek black building loomed over her, its reflective windows offering no hint of what lay inside. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle. What am I doing here? she thought. I should walk away. But she didn't. Instead, she pushed the door open and stepped into the lion's den.

The receptionist glanced up, her expression polite but curious. "Do you have an appointment?" "No, but Luca is expecting me," Maria lied. The woman hesitated before nodding. "Take the elevator to the top floor." Maria's heels clicked against the marble floor as she made her way to the elevator. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirrored walls, her expression a mixture of determination and apprehension. When the doors opened, Luca was already waiting for her.

"Maria," he said, his tone surprised but not displeased. "This is a surprise." "We need to talk," she said, brushing past him and stepping into his office. Luca closed the door, his brow furrowed. "What's going on?" Maria turned to face him, her arms crossed. "I got a call this morning. Someone who knows about us, about you. They threatened me." Luca's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "What did they say?"

"They warned me to stay away from you," Maria replied. "And they made it clear that they're watching," Luca muttered a curse under his breath, running a hand through his hair. "It's Dominic. He's trying to get to me through you." Maria's stomach sank. "Why? What does he want?" "Power," Luca said simply. "Control. He'll do anything to weaken me, and he thinks targeting you will give him the upper hand." Maria shook her head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "This is exactly why I shouldn't be here, Luca. I'm not cut out for this. I can't live my life looking over my shoulder."

Luca stepped closer, his gaze steady. "I'll protect you, Maria. I promise." "You can't promise that," she said, her voice breaking. "Not in your world." "I can and I will," Luca insisted. "You don't know what you've done to me, Maria. I've spent my whole life building walls, keeping people at a distance. But you... you make me want to be better. To be someone worth protecting." Maria's breath caught, her defenses crumbling. Against her better judgment, she let him pull her into his arms, the warmth of his embrace chasing away her fear-if only for a moment.

Across the city, Dominic sat in his office, a glass of whiskey in hand. Carlo stood by the window, his posture tense. "She went to see him," Carlo reported. "Just like you said she would," Dominic smirked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "Of course she did. DeLuca's weakness has always been his need to play the saviour. He can't resist a damsel in distress." "What's the next move?" Carlo asked.

Dominic set his glass down, his expression cold and calculating. "We let him think he's in control. But when the time comes, we'll strike. And when we do, Maria Moretti will be his undoing." Carlo hesitated before speaking. "You think she'll turn on him?" Dominic chuckled darkly. "Everyone has a breaking point, Carlo. It's just a matter of finding hers."

That evening, Maria sat in her apartment, replaying Luca's words in her mind. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he could keep her safe. But deep down, she knew the truth: no one was truly safe in his world. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She froze, her heart pounding. "Who is it?" she called out, her voice trembling. "It's Adrian," a familiar voice replied. Relief washed over her as she opened the door to find her childhood friend standing there, his expression filled with concern.

"I heard about the docks," Adrian said, stepping inside. "And I saw the news. Are you okay?" Maria nodded, though her hands trembled. "I'm fine. It's just... a lot." Adrian studied her, his eyes narrowing. "You're not telling me everything, are you?" Maria hesitated before shaking her head. "No. But it's better if you don't know." Adrian frowned, his jaw tightening. "Maria, you know you can trust me. I'm here for you, no matter what." His words brought tears to her eyes, and for a moment, she considered telling him everything. But she couldn't, she wouldn't drag him into Luca's world.

"Thank you, Adrian," she said softly. "But this is something I have to handle on my own." Adrian's expression hardened, but he nodded. "Just promise me you'll be careful." "I promise," Maria said, though she wasn't sure she could keep it.

Maria lay awake that night, her thoughts spinning in endless circles. She replayed Adrian's visit, Luca's promises, and Dominic's looming threat. Every choice she made seemed to pull her further into a web she couldn't escape. Why am I doing this? she thought, staring at the dark ceiling. Why can't I just walk away? Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her from her thoughts. She reached for it, her heart sinking when she saw the message.

Unknown Number: I warned you to stay away, Maria.

Her hands trembled as she stared at the text. Before she could respond, another message appeared.

Unknown Number: But since you didn't listen, you'll need to learn the hard way.

Maria shot out of bed, her heart pounding. She scanned the room as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows, but she was alone. Her apartment was eerily silent, the only sound was her ragged breathing. A third message buzzed on her phone, and she hesitated before opening it.

Unknown Number: You should check your front door.

Her blood ran cold. She crept toward the door, her footsteps silent against the hardwood floor. With trembling hands, she unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door a crack. A single red rose lay on the welcome mat, its petals glistening as if freshly plucked. Maria's stomach twisted. She knelt to pick it up, her fingers brushing against the silky petals. But as she turned the flower over, she froze. Tucked into the stem was a small slip of paper. She unfolded it, her breath catching as she read the words scrawled in bold, menacing letters: Stay away from Luca, or next time it won't be a warning.

The next morning, Maria sat in her office, staring blankly at her computer screen. The note from the night before burned in her mind, but she hadn't told anyone about it, not even Luca. She couldn't shake the feeling that doing so would only make things worse. The last thing she wanted was to give Dominic the satisfaction of knowing he had rattled her. Carmen poked her head into the office, her cheerful demeanor a sharp contrast to Maria's somber mood. "Hey, you've got a delivery." Maria frowned. "A delivery?"

Carmen nodded, stepping aside to reveal a large bouquet of white lilies. A delivery man followed, setting the arrangement on Maria's desk. "Who sent these?" Maria asked, her voice wary. "No card," the man said before leaving. Maria's chest tightened as she stared at the flowers. She reached for the small envelope tucked into the bouquet, half expecting another warning from Dominic.

Instead, the note was simple: I'm sorry for everything. Let me make it right. -L

Maria's breath hitched. She wanted to believe Luca's words, to trust that he could shield her from the storm brewing around them. But the truth was, she didn't know if she could survive being caught in the crossfire.

Across town, Dominic leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk on his face. "She got the message?" he asked Carlo, who stood nearby. "Loud and clear," Carlo replied. Dominic chuckled. "Good. That should keep her in line for now. But we're not done yet." Carlo hesitated. "Are you sure this is the right move, boss? What if DeLuca retaliates?" Dominic's smirk vanished, replaced by a cold, hard glare. "Let him try. By the time I'm finished, he won't have anything left, not his power, not his allies, and certainly not Maria Moretti." Carlo nodded, though unease flickered in his eyes. "What's the next step?" Dominic's smile returned, darker than before. "Patience, Carlo. We'll let them stew for a while. Then we'll strike where it hurts the most."

Later that evening, Maria found herself standing outside Luca's office once again. This time, she didn't hesitate. She pushed open the door, her resolve firm. Luca looked up from his desk, his surprise quickly replaced by concern. "Maria? What's wrong?" She crossed the room, her gaze unwavering. "I'm in, Luca." "In?" he repeated, rising from his chair. "I'll help you," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. "Whatever you need-legal advice, strategy, anything. But I have conditions." Luca stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. "Name them." "First, you keep me out of harm's way. I can't do my job if I'm constantly looking over my shoulder," she said firmly. "And second... you have to be honest with me, Luca. No more secrets. No more lies." Luca nodded, his expression serious. "You have my word." Maria took a deep breath, the weight of her decision settling on her shoulders. She knew there was no turning back now. She was in too deep, and the only way out was to see it through to the end.