Chapter 5 - AN UNBREAKABLE VOW
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Luca remained kneeling by Sophia's bed for nearly an hour, speaking in gentle whispers until the sedative tea took effect.
Her breathing finally slowed into a deep, peaceful rhythm, her little hand resting safely inside his large palm.
Luca carefully laid her arm across the fleece blanket and pulled the heavy duvet up to her chin.
He stood up slowly, looking at me with an intensity that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
"Claire, step outside into the study with me."
I nodded quietly and followed him across the wide hallway into his private mahogany-lined office.
The room smelled of expensive Cuban cigars, aged scotch, and antique leather-bound books.
Luca walked over to the crystal decanter on his desk, poured two fingers of amber bourbon, and drank it in one swallow.
"How long has this abuse been happening under my nose?" he demanded, staring at the rain streaming down the glass.
"I noticed she was becoming withdrawn about two months ago, Mr. Moretti," I answered honestly.
"Vanessa dismissed the previous nanny and took complete control over Sophia's schedule."
"She forbade the household staff from entering Sophia's bedroom during the evenings."
"I tried to ask Sophia what was wrong last week, but she was terrified of retribution."
Luca slammed his heavy crystal glass down onto the desk with enough force to splinter the base.
"I was so consumed by expanding our shipping ports and grieving my late wife that I was blind to my own daughter's agony."
"You saved her today, Claire."
"If you hadn't been waiting by the front gates in that freezing storm, God knows what would have happened to her."
I shook my head gently, stepping forward into the warm glow of the desk lamp.
"I love Sophia as if she were my own little sister, Mr. Moretti."
"Any human being with a beating heart would have carried that child home."
Luca turned around, studying my face with a profound, unreadable expression that made my pulse quicken.
"No, Claire. The other staff members look the other way because they fear crossing the mistress of the house."
"You defied Vanessa's orders, confronted her to her face, and brought my princess back to safety."
"From this moment forward, you are no longer a maid in this estate."
I blinked in surprise. "Sir?"
"You are Sophia's personal guardian, head of the household, and the only person authorized to make decisions regarding her care."
"You answer directly and exclusively to me."
"Your salary will be quadrupled, and you will have round-the-clock armed security dedicated to your protection."
"Mr. Moretti, that is far too generous," I stammered, overwhelmed by his sudden declaration.
"It is not generous enough for the woman who saved the only light left in my life," he said softly.
Before I could reply, the heavy study door opened, and Matteo appeared with blood splattered across his cuffs.
"Boss, we broke the driver of the gray sedan."
"He's in the sub-cellar with Vanessa, and you need to hear what he just confessed."
Luca's face hardened back into a terrifying mask of ruthless stone.
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"Watch over Sophia, Claire," Luca commanded softly as he reached into his desk drawer for his silver pistol.
"I have unfinished business to settle beneath this house."
