Chapter 5

LORENZO

The view from the hotel penthouse balcony is growing tedious as I long for my home in New York City. The city that never sleeps' restless energy mirrors my own. I take a deep breath, the cool salty sea air filling my lungs, but there's no real calm to be found here tonight.

I twirl the glass of bourbon in my hand, watching the amber liquid catch the light. The city holds countless threats and opportunities, alliances and betrayals. It's a delicate balance and one I manage daily. I miss it and can't wait to return home. The only thing holding me back is thoughts of a gorgeous blonde I can't wipe from my thoughts or my heart.

The sliding door opens behind me, and I hear Luca's footsteps. I don't need to turn around to know it's him; his presence is as familiar as my own shadow.

"Lorenzo," he says, his voice low and urgent. "We have a problem."

I turn to face him, sensing the weight of his words before he even speaks them aloud. "What is it?"

He steps closer, lowering his voice even further, though we're alone out here. "Intel just came through. The Grimaldis have someone in the hotel. They've been leaking information."

I feel a spike of anger, but I keep it controlled. "What do they know?"

Luca's expression darkens. "We suspect they know all of our movements. And they were able to find out Mira's name and room number as easily as we did. They probably suspect something happened between the two of you since you sent a bottle of aloe vera gel to her room."

Fucking hell. It only took Luca five minutes and one call to discover my curvy little blonde heart thief's name and room number. I should've realized at that time my girl could be in danger, but I'm losing my goddamn edge. Meeting Mira fried my brain circuits.

The mere mention of her name makes my pulse quicken and turns my cock to stone. "Grimaldis…" I curse under my breath as all the possibilities flow through my mind. "Those motherfuckers."

Luca nods, his eyes filling with concern. "You always knew having close personal relationships would supply them with potential weak spots. It's time for us to go into damage control." Then he adds almost under his breath, "If you plan to pursue a relationship with this girl."

There's no doubt in my mind and no choice for me. Leaving Mira alone now just isn't possible. I set my glass down on the railing, a new wave of protectiveness surging up within me. "Where is she now?" I ask without answering his question while a little voice in the back of my mind celebrates having an excuse to keep her close.

"She's still at the hotel, enjoying her vacation, completely unaware of the danger she's in," Luca replies.

I turn to face the sea again, my mind racing. Mira is innocent, completely removed from the bloody chess game of power and retribution I play daily. The thought of her being dragged into this mess, of her being hurt because of me, is intolerable.

"We need to get her out of here," I say, my voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "Tonight."

Luca nods, already anticipating my next move. "I'll arrange it. We can have her moved to a secure location. But she'll have questions, Lorenzo. Lots of them."

"That's my problem," I reply. "Just make sure she's safe." I'm not sure how I'll convince the innocent woman to give me a chance, but I'll figure it out somehow.

Luca turns to leave, his mission clear, but then pauses. "And Lorenzo… are you one hundred percent sure this is what you want?"

"Yes," I admit. "I know it's not wise, and it's probably not the right thing to do, but I can't give her up."

"You drank the goddamn water in Silver Spoon Falls when you met with Dante Arakas, didn't you?" He shakes his head.

Not this fucking bullshit again. One visit to the small Texas town where there are more millionaires and billionaires than common folk and an unexplainable number of happily ever after unions, and the craziness seems to have worn off on me.

I lean back, rolling my eyes at his question. "I did."

Luca raises an eyebrow, a rare sign of interest. "And you ignored the rumors about the water?"

I chuckle without humor, the sound unexpected even to my own ears. "Magical water that causes love at first sight didn't really sound too dangerous at the time."

"And now?" Luca asks, eyes narrowing slightly.

I take a moment, considering what to say. The memory of Silver Spoon Falls is fresh with serene landscapes, the affluent calmness, and yes, the almost palpable sense of charm in the air. "Now, I don't know what to think about the water, but I do know I have real feelings for Mira Jones that I can't fight."

"Oh, how the mighty fall," Luca says, a note of amusement mingled with disbelief.

"I know. It's goddamn crazy," I concede. "What I used to believe in could be counted in assets, alliances, and power dynamics. But now? Everything has changed."

"And you're sure this is a permanent condition?" He rubs his bottom lip. "It will be viewed as a weakness. Maybe even a sign that you're no longer able to control the Amante Family."

"Are you suggesting I've lost my edge?" My voice carries a warning, but he doesn't flinch. He never does.

"No. I just want you to consider all the possible ramifications of this new… relationship of yours."

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I haven't lost sight of who I am or what I need to do. I can maintain control of the family while pursuing Mira."

Luca nods, accepting my words, but I can see the lingering doubt in his eyes. He's been in this life long enough to know this won't be easy. "So, what now?"

"Now, we focus on the Grimaldis. Ensure every move is calculated and effective. Protect Mira. Her safety remains a priority, whether you believe it's because of the water or not."

"And Silver Spoon Falls?" he asks. "Does it have a role in our future?"

I pause, letting the question settle. "Not yet. But Dante's right about one thing: there's potential there. Both business and…" I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. "Other avenues." My little sister just married my best friend, and they now live in the small Texas town.

Luca's smirk returns, albeit smaller. "Maybe we'll all need a drink of that water. See if we can balance the chaos with some of that peace."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," I reply, but there's a lightness in my tone. "We've got enough to handle without all of you fuckers dropping like fucking flies."

Luca shudders dramatically. "Never happening to me."

"Find out everything there is to know about my girl." I can't believe I didn't do this before now. I really am slipping.

"I'll get right on it." He leaves me to my thoughts, and I return my gaze to the beach. But in the back of my mind, memories of Silver Spoon Falls linger.

Mira's face comes to me unbidden, her eyes filled with trust and a hint of something more. Did the small Texas town's water have any bearing on this strange connection? Maybe. Maybe not. But the feelings are real, and in the midst of my world's brutality, they're a reminder that sometimes, even the most powerful man needs a touch of magic.

I return to my glass, but it's no longer the baccarat crystal form of solace it was moments ago. Now, it's a reminder of the treacherous world I inhabit, and the innocent life unknowingly caught in its crossfire.

Thoughts of Mira flood my mind. It's fucking insane how a simple gesture, a bottle of aloe vera gel sent to soothe her sunburn, has potentially put my little soulmate in harm's way. She's become a target, a pawn in a game she doesn't even know exists.

I take a final swig of my bourbon, the burn a sharp reminder of the harsh reality I have to face.

There's no time to waste. I need to act, to ensure her safety. My world may be one of shadows and violence, but even in that darkness, there are lines I won't cross. And allowing harm to come to an innocent woman because of my actions? That's a red line.

Mira doesn't know it yet, but her life is about to change. Now that I've got an excuse to keep her, I'll do whatever it takes to make her mine. And if the Grimaldis think they can use her against me, they'll soon learn the real meaning of retribution.

I stand by the floor-to-ceiling window, fingers drumming against the glass, thoughts swirling in my mind like a storm. Luca's footsteps are barely audible, but I've been waiting for him.

When he enters the room, I turn to face him. His expression is solemn, a dossier clutched in his hand. He hands it to me without a word, and I flip it open, scanning the contents.

"Mira Jones," I read aloud, the name now even more familiar. "A teacher at a small private school in Florida."

"Since it's summer vacation, no one will miss her for several weeks," Luca continues, filling in the gaps. "Her younger sister, Lila, is in college in Colorado, working two jobs to help pay for her education. Their parents died three years ago. Mira's been living frugally to help put her sister through college."

I swallow hard, the weight of her burdens more palpable. The thought of someone so pure, so distant from my world, being dragged into my dark reality is unsettling, but I can't seem to help myself. The curvy little blonde stole my goddamn heart earlier in the elevator. Admitting that to myself was the easy part. Keeping her safe in my world will be a nearly impossible task, but I'll do whatever it takes to keep her. And to win her heart.

"She doesn't have any ex-boyfriends or close friends," Luca adds, and I realize I was holding my breath. I breathe easy, knowing I don't have the added complication of getting rid of some asshole. "It's a clean slate. She's lived a quiet, responsible life."

The stark contrast between her world and mine couldn't be clearer. "She's entirely innocent," I say, more to myself than Luca. "She doesn't deserve any of this."

Luca shifts slightly as if uncomfortable with the sincerity in my voice. "I've arranged for us to rent a private yacht. It will sail us back to New York discreetly. In the meantime, a decoy private plane will leave the island to throw the Grimaldis off our trail."

I nod, appreciating Luca's thoroughness. "Good. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," he replies. "We'll move her from the hotel and get her on the yacht. The new pilot is already briefed on the decoy mission. Her sister and friends have a flight two hours before hers is supposed to leave. Once their flight takes off, we'll make our move."

I look out at the ocean again, my mind racing. "I don't want a goddamn hair on her head harmed."

"We'll make sure she's treated with kid gloves," Luca says carefully. "We'll have to explain enough to make her understand the urgency but not so much that she's overwhelmed."

I exhale deeply, the responsibility weighing heavy on my shoulders. "I want her brought straight to me."

Luca nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. With one last look, he turns and leaves to finalize the arrangements.

I remain at the window, staring into the vast expanse of the Caribbean that now holds both my demons and my future. It's a cruel twist of fate, how an innocent encounter can complicate lives so easily.