Chapter 2 - The Hotel Standoff

The house felt incredibly quiet two days later.

Brielle and Marcus had disappeared. The official story, leaked to the press by Nico’s lawyers, was that they had fled the country to avoid federal embezzlement charges regarding a multi-million dollar trust fraud.

I didn't ask Nico what actually happened at the warehouse that night. I didn't want to know. Some secrets belonged in the dark, and all I cared about was that Ruby would never have to look over her shoulder again.

I stood in the kitchen, carefully pouring a cup of coffee with my left hand.

My right arm was in a sling. A doctor had finally examined it and confirmed a hairline fracture in the bone near my elbow.

Mrs. Turner, sporting a small bandage on her forehead, smiled at me from the stove. "You shouldn't be pouring that, Hannah. You're on paid leave."

"I like the routine," I smiled back.

Footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor. Nico walked into the kitchen.

He was wearing a casual gray sweater, looking more relaxed than I had ever seen him. The heavy, suffocating shadow that Brielle had cast over the house was entirely gone.

"Good morning," Nico said, leaning against the counter.

"Good morning, sir. Your coffee is ready."

He didn't take the cup. He reached out and gently touched the edge of my sling.

"How is the arm today?"

"Better," I said, my heart doing a strange little flutter at his closeness.

"Good." He took a deep breath. "Hannah, I want to talk to you about your position here."

My smile faded. I looked down at the granite counter.

Of course. I had seen too much. I knew too many secrets. Even though I had helped them, I was a liability. The mafia boss needed a clean slate.

"I understand, Mr. DeSantis," I said quietly. "I can pack my things this afternoon. I appreciate everything you've—"

"Pack your things?" Nico interrupted, frowning. "Hannah, what are you talking about?"

"You're firing me, aren't you?"

Nico stared at me, genuinely stunned. Then, a slow, warm smile spread across his face. It was the first time I had ever seen him truly smile. It completely transformed him.

"Hannah, I am not firing you," Nico said softly. He took a step closer, crowding into my space in a way that made my breath catch. "I was going to offer you a promotion."

I blinked. "A promotion? To what? Head housekeeper?"

"To estate manager," Nico corrected. "I want you running this house. You know what Ruby needs better than anyone. You protected my daughter. You stood between her and a bullet, figuratively speaking. You took a hit for this family."

He reached out, his warm fingers lightly tracing the line of my jaw.

"I want you here, Hannah," Nico murmured, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Ruby wants you here. And... I want you here."

The air between us suddenly felt charged, heavy with unspoken electricity. I looked up at him, seeing the vulnerability beneath the dangerous exterior of the man who ran the city.

"Daddy!"

Ruby came bounding into the kitchen, wearing a bright yellow dress, holding her mother’s faded quilt under her arm.

Nico quickly stepped back, clearing his throat, though the faint blush on his neck betrayed him.

"Morning, sweetheart," Nico smiled, scooping her up into his arms.

Ruby hugged his neck, then looked over at me.

"Hannah, Grandma is coming over for lunch today. Can we make the chocolate chip cookies?"

"Of course we can," I said, smiling at the little girl who had stolen my heart months ago.

Ruby leaned her head on Nico’s shoulder, looking at me with big, earnest eyes.

"Hannah?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Are you going to stay with us forever?"

The kitchen went perfectly still. Mrs. Turner suddenly found something very interesting to clean on the other side of the room.

Nico looked at me, waiting for my answer.

I looked at the beautiful, brave little girl, and the strong, fiercely protective man holding her. I thought about the cramped apartment I rented, the car that wouldn't start, and the lonely life I had lived before I walked through these doors.