Chapter 2 THE DEVIL'S DEAL

Sophie sat down immediately, her legs trembling beneath her. She hadn't expected such a response. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

"I'm sorry, Miss Turner. I didn't mean to snap at you," Luca said, softening his voice. He forced a smile, but it vanished just as quickly as it appeared.

"I don't want you to be my mistress," Luca continued. "I already have people for that. I want you to be my woman. Read the contract. Fall in love with me and maybe even have my children."

Sophie stared at him, stunned into silence. She couldn't begin to comprehend how a mafia boss could expect her to fall in love with him. Luca might be handsome, but Sophie came from a decent, conservative background. She hadn't even had sex before; she was still a virgin.

She had tried dating a few times, but none of the relationships lasted. One guy had even tried to forcefully kiss her in his car. She'd slapped him and walked away, never looking back.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to force you to sleep with me," Luca added, as if reading her mind. "I will be patient. I will wait until you're willing."

But was that really true? Could a ruthless mafia boss like Luca Moretti truly be patient? Could he really resist taking what he wanted?

"You will wait forever then," she muttered under her breath.

"I will cover your mother's medical bills," Luca said smoothly. "And I will hire the best experts to care for her. You will find all of this and more outlined in the contract."

Sophie wanted to run, but the estate was massive and heavily guarded. Escaping would be impossible. If she even moved, she would be caught before she made it past the front gate.

With a resigned sigh, she opened the contract and read through it, her hands shaking. After a long pause, she stood and handed it back to him.

Could she really walk out of there without giving this man what he wanted?

"What is this?" she demanded. "I'm not interested. I'm the only one my mom has, and you want to trap me here?"

At that moment, Sophie didn't care if he killed her. All she wanted was to leave.

"Since your mother is in a coma and we don't know when she'll wake up," Luca said, "I will make a generous adjustment to the contract. I will allow my men to take you to see her for a few hours each month. She will be well cared for by top professionals."

Luca Moretti was the most feared mafia boss in St Louis. He could keep anyone locked away for as long as he wished. But with Sophie, it was different. He had carried feelings for her before he even knew she existed in the real world.

"I'm not interested in your deal, Mr Luca Moretti. I want to leave. Tell your men to take me back to where they had picked me from, or I will find my own way."

Sophie's voice rose with frustration.

The estate was isolated, nestled on the outskirts of town, surrounded by tall trees and silence. A private road led to it – no public access, no passing traffic. She hadn't paid attention to the roads on her way in, having been too busy struggling against the guards.

"You can't keep me here! I-" she began. She could not complete her statement.

"But I can," Luca said, chuckling as he sat back in his chair. "I can keep you here for as long as I want. I'm Luca Moretti after all. I can make you disappear, and no one will ever find you again."

Sophie froze. Her eyes widened, and her legs felt like they might collapse. But she refused to let him see the fear in her. She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze with a cold, unreadable expression.

He was telling the truth. He could keep her locked away here forever if he wanted to. But she wouldn't go down without a fight. For her mother's sake, she would battle the devil himself.

She had heard stories about mafia bosses; their brutality, their ruthlessness. Luca may have a handsome face, but underneath, he was still a monster cloaked in charm.

"Please let me go," she whispered. "My mother needs me."

"What your mother needs is expert care. And I have the money to make that happen," Luca replied. "Sign the contract. Submit to me for six months. If nothing comes of it, I will let you go."

The room fell into silence. Luca's eyes lingered on her lips; small, soft, inviting. He wanted her, but he didn't want to force her. He wanted her to surrender willingly.

"You're free to go. I will make an exception for you," he said quietly, disappointment etched into his tone.

But this wasn't the end for him.

He hadn't waited six years to find her, only to let her walk away now. The next time he saw her, things would be different.

"Marco will take you back," he added, his voice flat.

Even if he was letting her go, he wasn't about to leave her unprotected. And who better than Marco to guard what he believed was his?

"Okay," Sophie whispered with relief. She rushed to the door without a second glance and slipped out, her heart pounding with joy.

She swore she would never return to this place.

At least, that's what she thought.

Descending the stairs with Marco and two other guards, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

Ring. Ring. Ring.