Chapter 4 - A Dangerous Proposal
The private dining room of the Uptown estate was lit by a single heavy crystal chandelier that cast a warm, golden glow over the long mahogany table. Outside, the rain beat a relentless rhythm against the floor-to-ceiling windows. Della sat at one end of the table, a plate of untouched gourmet food before her, while Antoine sat at the opposite end, nursing a glass of dark amber whiskey.
"You don't have a choice," Antoine said, cutting through the silence with surgical precision.
Della set her fork down with a sharp clink against the china. "Stop saying that. I always have a choice. I can walk out those front gates right now."
"And you'll be intercepted within three blocks by Salvatore Rossi’s enforcers," Antoine replied coldly, swirling the liquid in his glass. "They already know a waitress at Bayou Grace made my children speak. They don't know your name yet, but they have the security footage from the diner. It's a matter of hours before they trace your license plate to your apartment."
"You're threatening me?" Della asked, her voice rising in a mixture of fear and fury.
"I'm protecting you," Antoine corrected, his dark eyes locking onto hers with unblinking intensity. "And more importantly, I'm protecting my children. They need you. For reasons medical science can't explain, your voice is the only thing that brings them peace from the trauma of their birth. And I am offering you a contract."
Della stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. "A contract?"
"Stay here in this house," Antoine said, leaning forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Act as the primary caregiver and nanny for the triplets under my roof. You will have absolute security, unlimited resources, and a salary that will allow you to buy the entire block your diner sits on within six months. In exchange, you give them the voice they lost."
"And what happens when the Rossi family comes looking for blood?" Della demanded, her voice trembling. "What happens when your war spills over these brick walls and into the nursery?"
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A dark, dangerous smile touched the corners of Antoine’s mouth—a terrifying flash of the ruthless underworld kingpin everyone whispered about in the French Quarter.
"The Rossi family will never cross these gates," Antoine said softly. "Because anyone who tries will never make it past the front lawn."
