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Las Vegas never slept.
It seduced.
It lied.
And sometimes, it ruined lives before sunrise.
Emma Reed stumbled out of the casino bathroom barefoot, holding her heels in one hand and a half-empty champagne bottle in the other.
The music downstairs pounded through the marble floors.
Her head spun.
Badly.
She should never have accepted those free tequila shots.
She definitely should never have challenged a stranger to poker.
And she absolutely should never have kissed him.
But tonight had already gone too far.
Emma leaned against the wall, laughing weakly at herself.
Twenty-four years old.
Three overdue bills.
Two jobs.
One cheating ex-boyfriend.
Her life was officially a disaster.
Then the elevator doors opened.
And he stepped out.
Tall.
Deadly.
Black suit.
Cold eyes sharp enough to cut glass.
The entire hallway seemed to freeze.
Even drunk, Emma recognized him.
Luca Romano.
Vegas whispered his name like a prayer and a warning.
Mafia king.
Casino owner.
The man who made powerful people disappear.
Emma stared at him.
Then burst out laughing.
“You!”
Luca’s expression barely changed.
But his bodyguards looked horrified.
Nobody pointed at Luca Romano.
Nobody talked to him like that.
Emma walked toward him unsteadily.
“You cheated at poker.”
One guard stepped forward.
“Watch your mouth.”
Luca lifted a finger.
The guard stopped instantly.
Luca looked at Emma.
“You lost because you were drinking.”
Emma squinted.
“No. I lost because you’re evil.”
For one impossible second, amusement flickered across Luca’s face.
That tiny reaction shocked his entire security team.
Emma pointed dramatically.
“There! You smiled! Mafia robots CAN smile.”
The guards looked ready to faint.
Luca stared at her longer than necessary.
Like he was trying to understand why she wasn’t afraid.
Emma suddenly grabbed his tie.
“You know what?”
Luca didn’t move.
“What?”
Emma grinned recklessly.
“You’re hot.
Terrifying.
But hot.”
The hallway went silent.
One bodyguard quietly whispered:
“She’s dead.”
But Luca kept staring at Emma.
Something dark shifted in his eyes.
Interest.
Dangerous interest.
Emma lifted the champagne bottle.
“Come on, Mafia Boss.
One more drink.”
Nobody had invited Luca Romano anywhere in years.
Yet somehow, ten minutes later, Emma sat across from him in a private penthouse bar laughing over cards and whiskey.
And Luca Romano — the man feared by an entire city — couldn’t stop watching her smile.
Three hours later, Emma climbed onto a poker table and shouted:
“LET’S GET MARRIED!”
The room exploded with laughter.
But Luca didn’t laugh.
He stared at her.
Slowly stood.
And said:
“Okay.”
...
CHAPTER 1 — WAKING UP MARRIED
Emma woke to sunlight burning her eyes.
Pain stabbed through her skull.
She groaned.
Silk sheets.
Huge bed.
Massive penthouse ceiling.
Definitely not her apartment.
Her stomach dropped.
She looked down.
A white wedding dress clung to her body.
No.
No no no.
Emma sat up violently.
Then froze.
A shirtless man slept beside her.
Tattooed chest.
Scar across his ribs.
Powerful arms.
Luca Romano.
Emma screamed.
Luca opened his eyes instantly.
Alert.
Deadly.
Like a predator waking.
His gaze locked onto her.
“Good morning, wife.”
Emma nearly fell off the bed.
“What?!”
Luca sat up slowly.
Calm.
Too calm.
Emma grabbed a lamp.
“Stay back!”
Luca looked at the lamp.
Then at her.
“You think that will help?”
Emma blinked.
Fair point.
“What happened last night?”
Luca reached toward the nightstand and handed her a document.
Marriage certificate.
Official.
Stamped.
Signed.
EMMA REED.
LUCA ROMANO.
Emma stared at it in horror.
“No.”
Luca leaned back against the headboard.
“You proposed.”
“I was drunk!”
“You were enthusiastic.”
Emma buried her face in her hands.
“Oh my God…”
Flashbacks hit her.
Casino lights.
Champagne.
Elvis impersonator.
Luca holding her waist.
Her laughing uncontrollably.
Then a kiss.
Deep.
Intense.
Dangerously real.
Emma looked up sharply.
“Did we…”
Luca’s expression darkened slightly.
“Yes.”
Emma almost died.
“Oh my GOD.”
She jumped out of bed.
“I’m leaving.”
Two armed guards immediately blocked the penthouse doors.
Emma froze.
Luca stood behind her.
Barefoot.
Shirtless.
Terrifying.
“You can’t leave yet.”
Emma turned.
“Excuse me?”
Luca walked closer.
“Last night changed things.”
“I know! We made a mistake!”
Luca’s eyes hardened.
“No.
We triggered a war.”
Emma laughed nervously.
“What does that even mean?”
Luca looked directly at her.
“Because according to mafia law…”
He paused.
“You’re now queen of the Romano empire.”
Emma blinked.
Then burst out laughing.
Luca didn’t.
The laughter slowly died in her throat.
Then the penthouse windows exploded.
Gunfire erupted.
Luca grabbed Emma and threw her to the ground.
Bullets shredded the room.
Emma screamed.
Luca pulled a gun from beneath the table.
His face transformed instantly.
Cold.
Murderous.
The real Luca Romano had arrived.
...
CHAPTER 2 — THE MAFIA QUEEN
Glass rained across the penthouse.
Emma covered her head.
More bullets tore through the walls.
Luca fired back calmly.
Like he’d done this a thousand times.
One sniper dropped from the rooftop opposite the building.
Dead.
Emma stared in shock.
“Oh my God…”
Luca grabbed her wrist.
“Move.”
He dragged her through hidden steel doors behind the penthouse bar.
The room sealed shut.
Soundproof.
Silent.
Emma shook violently.
“What the hell is happening?!”
Luca checked his weapon.
“My enemies found out about our marriage.”
“WHY WOULD THEY CARE?”
Luca looked at her.
“Because the Romano inheritance requires a legal wife.”
Emma frowned.
“What?”
“My grandfather built the empire with old Sicilian rules.”
He stepped closer.
“If I marry, my wife automatically gains legal claim to Romano assets, territories, and leadership rights.”
Emma blinked.
“So?”
“So now every rival family believes controlling you means controlling me.”
Emma went pale.
“You’re kidding.”
Luca stayed silent.
That silence terrified her more.
Emma backed away.
“No.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
I’m getting an annulment.”
Luca’s jaw tightened.
“You think they’ll care?”
Emma opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Luca stepped forward.
“From the moment you signed those papers…”
His voice lowered.
“You became a target.”
A massive explosion shook the building.
Emma screamed.
The emergency lights turned red.
Luca cursed softly in Italian.
“What?” Emma whispered.
Luca looked toward the steel door.
“They brought rockets.”
...
CHAPTER 3 — THE ESCAPE
Sirens screamed through the building.
Smoke filled the hidden bunker hallway.
Luca grabbed Emma’s hand.
“Stay close.”
Emma pulled away.
“You don’t get to order me around!”
Luca stopped suddenly.
His eyes locked onto hers.
Cold.
Intense.
“You think this is a game?”
Emma froze.
Luca moved closer.
“If they catch you…”
His voice dropped lower.
“They won’t kill you quickly.”
Fear crawled through Emma’s chest.
He wasn’t exaggerating.
The building shook again.
Luca pushed her forward.
They reached a hidden underground garage.
Black armored vehicles waited.
Dozens of armed men surrounded them.
One approached Luca immediately.
“Boss. Moretti soldiers breached the east tower.”
Emma frowned.
“Moretti?”
The man hesitated after noticing her.
Luca answered instead.
“Bianca Moretti’s family.”
Emma noticed the irritation in his voice.
“And who’s Bianca?”
Silence.
Luca opened the SUV door.
“Get in.”
Emma crossed her arms.
“Who. Is. Bianca?”
A female voice answered behind her.
“His fiancée.”
Emma turned.
A stunning woman stepped from the shadows.
Red dress.
Diamond earrings.
Eyes full of hatred.
Bianca Moretti.
The woman looked Emma up and down with disgust.
Then she smiled.
Cruel.
“So this is the bartender who ruined my wedding.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
She looked at Luca.
“You were engaged?!”
Luca’s expression darkened.
“It wasn’t real.”
Bianca laughed bitterly.
“Funny.
Your family announced it publicly.”
Emma stepped back.
“Oh my God…”
Bianca moved closer.
“You married my future husband after one drunken night.”
Emma immediately held up her hands.
“Okay, listen, I didn’t know—”
Bianca suddenly slapped her.
Hard.
Guards tensed.
Emma stared in shock.
Bianca whispered:
“You stole my life.”
Luca grabbed Bianca’s wrist instantly.
Too hard.
Bianca winced.
Luca’s voice turned lethal.
“Touch my wife again…”
The air went cold.
“…and I’ll burn your family to the ground.”
Emma’s heart stopped.
Because he sounded completely serious.
...
CHAPTER 4 — THE SAFEHOUSE
The safehouse sat deep in the Nevada desert.
Huge walls.
Armed guards.
Motion sensors.
Emma stared out the SUV window.
“This is insane.”
Luca sat beside her silently.
His hand rested near his gun the entire drive.
Like danger could appear at any second.
Maybe it could.
Emma looked at him.
“Are you always like this?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t smile much.”
“You talk too much.”
Emma rolled her eyes.
“I’m being kidnapped politely.”
Luca almost smirked.
Almost.
That tiny reaction frustrated Emma.
Because underneath the danger and violence…
He was unfairly attractive.
And that was a problem.
A massive problem.
The safehouse doors opened.
Inside looked less like a bunker and more like a luxury mansion.
Emma turned slowly.
“You rich criminals are dramatic.”
Luca ignored her.
A doctor approached immediately.
“Boss, your shoulder.”
Emma frowned.
“What shoulder?”
Luca removed his jacket.
Blood soaked through his shirt.
Emma gasped.
“You were shot?!”
Luca barely reacted.
“It grazed me.”
The doctor started cleaning the wound.
Emma watched silently.
Scars covered Luca’s body.
Knife wounds.
Gunshot marks.
Old burns.
He looked like a man built entirely from violence.
Yet somehow, seeing him injured hurt her chest.
Emma hated that feeling instantly.
The doctor finished.
“You need rest.”
Luca nodded.
Then looked at Emma.
“You’ll stay here.”
Emma blinked.
“You say that like I have a choice.”
“You don’t.”
Emma exploded.
“I’m not your property!”
Luca stepped closer.
Dangerously close.
“You think I want this?”
His voice cracked slightly for the first time.
“You think I wanted some reckless stranger becoming my weakness overnight?”
Emma froze.
Weakness.
The word hit differently.
Luca stared at her for a long second.
Then walked away.
Leaving Emma breathless.
...
CHAPTER 5 — OBSESSION
Three days passed.
Emma remained trapped in the desert mansion.
Technically not trapped.
But every exit had guards.
Every hallway had cameras.
And Luca Romano watched everything.
Emma sat by the pool angrily throwing olives into the water.
A maid approached nervously.
“Mrs. Romano, lunch is ready.”
Emma groaned.
“Please stop calling me that.”
But secretly…
The title sent strange heat through her chest.
She hated it.
Probably.
Inside the dining room, Luca sat at the head of the table reading reports.
Emma dropped into a chair.
“You know normal husbands buy flowers.”
Luca didn’t look up.
“I bought bulletproof windows.”
Emma sighed.
“Romance is dead.”
A tiny smirk appeared.
Tiny.
But real.
Emma noticed.
And for one dangerous second…
She forgot he was terrifying.
Then Luca’s phone rang.
His face darkened immediately.
“What happened?”
Silence.
Emma watched carefully.
Luca stood.
“No one touches my territory without permission.”
He hung up.
Emma frowned.
“What now?”
Luca looked at her.
“Bianca kidnapped one of my men.”
Emma crossed her arms.
“Your ex seems intense.”
“She’s not my ex.”
“She literally tried to kill me.”
“She’s trying to start a war.”
Emma stood too.
“Then end it.”
Luca’s expression hardened.
“You don’t understand this world.”
Emma stepped closer.
“Then explain it.”
Silence.
Luca finally spoke.
“My father built this empire with blood.
I inherited enemies before I could drive.
People don’t leave this life.”
Emma softened slightly.
For the first time…
He sounded tired.
Not ruthless.
Just exhausted.
Emma quietly asked:
“And what do you want?”
Luca stared at her.
Long.
Dangerously long.
Then said:
“You.”
Emma’s breath caught.
The tension between them exploded.
Luca moved closer slowly.
Emma didn’t move away.
His hand touched her waist.
Gentle.
Unexpectedly gentle.
Then alarms suddenly screamed through the mansion.
A guard burst inside.
“Boss!
We found a bomb in Emma’s room!”
...
CHAPTER 6 — THE WOMAN WHO WANTS HER DEAD
The bedroom was destroyed.
Half the walls burned black.
Smoke filled the air.
Emma stared in horror.
“That was supposed to kill me.”
Luca’s face turned terrifyingly calm.
The kind of calm before murder.
He picked up part of the explosive device.
Then saw the symbol.
A silver serpent.
Bianca.
Luca crushed the metal piece in his fist.
Emma swallowed hard.
“Your fiancée really hates me.”
Luca turned slowly.
“She’s not my fiancée anymore.”
Emma looked away.
Why did that sentence affect her?
That was ridiculous.
A few hours later, Luca arrived at the Moretti estate.
Massive gates opened.
Mafia soldiers lined the hallways.
Bianca waited beside a fireplace wearing white silk.
Like a queen waiting for war.
She smiled coldly.
“You came alone.”
Luca stared at her.
“You planted a bomb in my wife’s room.”
Bianca’s eyes darkened at the word wife.
“She stole you.”
Luca moved closer.
“No.
I chose her.”
Bianca flinched.
The truth wounded her more than anger.
She laughed bitterly.
“You barely know that girl.”
Luca’s voice lowered.
“I know enough.”
Bianca stepped closer.
“I loved you for years.”
Silence.
Then Luca said quietly:
“I never asked you to.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with tears.
But rage burned stronger.
“You’ll regret humiliating me.”
Luca leaned toward her.
“No.
You’ll regret threatening Emma.”
Then he walked away.
Bianca watched him leave.
Heartbroken.
Humiliated.
Dangerous.
Then she whispered to her bodyguard:
“Kill the bartender.
Slowly.”
...
CHAPTER 7 — THE KISS
Rain poured over the desert mansion.
Emma stood on the balcony staring into the storm.
She couldn’t sleep.
Too much had changed too fast.
Three days ago she worried about rent.
Now people were planting bombs to kill her.
Luca stepped beside her silently.
Emma didn’t look at him.
“You ever think about quitting?”
Luca frowned.
“What?”
“The mafia.
The violence.
All of it.”
Luca stared into the rain.
“Every day.”
Emma finally looked at him.
“You do?”
Luca nodded once.
“My father died for this empire.
Then my brother died.
Now everyone expects me to keep killing for it.”
Emma softened.
“You had a brother?”
Luca’s jaw tightened.
“He was supposed to lead after my father.”
“What happened?”
Silence.
Then:
“He was betrayed.”
Emma noticed the pain immediately.
Real pain.
Not the cold mafia mask.
The man underneath.
She stepped closer carefully.
“I’m sorry.”
Luca looked at her.
Rain reflected in his dark eyes.
“You’re the first good thing that’s happened to me in years.”
Emma’s heart slammed against her ribs.
Dangerous.
Everything about this was dangerous.
She whispered:
“This marriage isn’t real.”
Luca moved closer.
“Feels real to me.”
Emma stopped breathing.
Luca touched her face slowly.
Like she was fragile.
Precious.
Then he kissed her.
Deep.
Intense.
Possessive.
Emma melted instantly.
Her fingers grabbed his shirt.
Luca pulled her against him harder.
The storm disappeared.
The world disappeared.
Then a gunshot shattered the moment.
Blood sprayed across Emma’s shoulder.
She screamed.
Luca caught her before she collapsed.
And for the first time in years…
Luca Romano looked terrified.
...
CHAPTER 8 — THE WOMAN HE CAN’T LOSE
The mansion exploded into chaos.
Guards stormed the balconies.
Luca carried Emma through the halls.
Blood soaked through her shirt.
Emma cried in pain.
“Luca…”
His chest tightened violently hearing his name like that.
The doctor rushed forward.
“She’s losing blood.”
Luca slammed him against the wall.
“Then save her.”
The entire room froze.
Nobody had ever seen Luca lose control like this.
Hours passed.
Luca stood outside the medical room covered in Emma’s blood.
One of his captains approached carefully.
“Boss… we tracked the sniper.”
Luca’s expression turned deadly.
“Bianca?”
The captain nodded.
Luca picked up his gun.
Murder radiated from him.
The doctor suddenly emerged.
“She’s awake.”
Luca froze.
Then immediately entered.
Emma looked pale.
Weak.
Beautiful.
Luca sat beside her bed.
For several seconds neither spoke.
Then Emma whispered:
“You were scared.”
Luca looked away.
“No.”
Emma smiled weakly.
“You almost killed the doctor.”
Luca stared at her.
“I thought you died.”
The raw honesty stunned her.
Emma’s chest tightened.
Because she suddenly realized something horrifying.
She was falling for him.
The mafia boss.
The criminal.
The dangerous man everyone feared.
And somehow…
He looked at her like she mattered more than the entire world.
Emma whispered:
“This can’t happen.”
Luca leaned closer.
“It already did.”
Then he kissed her forehead gently.
And Emma’s heart was officially doomed.
...
CHAPTER 9 — THE BETRAYAL
Emma healed slowly.
But peace never lasted.
One morning, she woke to shouting downstairs.
She followed the voices.
Then froze.
Police.
Federal agents flooded the mansion.
Luca stood surrounded.
An FBI agent held up a warrant.
“Luca Romano, you’re under arrest for racketeering, murder, and conspiracy.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
Luca’s eyes immediately found hers.
Calm.
Too calm.
Then the lead agent turned toward Emma.
“Miss Reed.
Thank you for your cooperation.”
Silence.
Luca slowly looked at Emma.
Confusion.
Then betrayal.
Emma blinked.
“What?”
The agent frowned.
“You called us three nights ago.”
Emma’s blood ran cold.
Oh no.
The phone.
She remembered.
Before the shooting.
Terrified and desperate, she’d secretly contacted authorities.
But she never expected this.
Luca stared at her.
His expression shattered something inside her.
Not anger.
Hurt.
Emma stepped forward desperately.
“Luca, I didn’t know—”
He pulled away when she touched him.
That hurt more than screaming.
The agents dragged him away.
Luca paused at the doorway.
Then said quietly:
“I trusted you.”
The door slammed.
Emma burst into tears.
...
CHAPTER 10 — WITHOUT HIM
The mansion felt empty without Luca.
Cold.
Dead.
Emma sat alone staring at the news.
LUCA ROMANO ARRESTED.
MAFIA KING FINALLY FALLS.
Every channel celebrated.
But Emma’s chest only hurt.
Because she knew the truth.
Underneath the violence…
Luca protected people.
Protected her.
And she betrayed him.
A maid entered nervously.
“Miss Reed… someone’s here.”
Emma looked up.
Bianca Moretti walked inside smiling.
Beautiful.
Cruel.
Victorious.
“Well,” Bianca said softly.
“You finally destroyed him.”
Emma stood.
“I didn’t mean to.”
Bianca laughed.
“Oh, sweetheart.
You still don’t understand.”
Emma frowned.
Bianca moved closer.
“The FBI works for my family.”
Emma froze.
“What?”
“Luca’s arrest was planned.
And you made it easy.”
Emma’s heart stopped.
Bianca whispered:
“Now I get to kill him.”
...
CHAPTER 11 — THE TRUTH ABOUT LUCA
Emma rushed to the prison transport route.
Rain hammered the highway.
She screamed at guards.
“Please!
You don’t understand!
They’re going to kill him!”
Nobody listened.
Then explosions erupted ahead.
Black SUVs crashed into the prison convoy.
Gunfire exploded.
Chaos everywhere.
Emma screamed.
Bianca’s men attacked from both sides.
Vehicles burned.
Bullets tore through the rain.
Then Emma saw Luca.
Handcuffed.
Bleeding.
Fighting three armed men barehanded.
Even injured, he looked terrifying.
One assassin aimed a gun at Luca’s back.
Emma grabbed a fallen pistol.
Hands shaking.
She fired.
The assassin dropped.
Luca turned sharply.
Shock crossed his face seeing Emma.
She ran toward him.
“I’m sorry!”
Bullets flew around them.
Emma cried.
“I never wanted to hurt you!”
Luca grabbed her before another explosion hit.
He shielded her body with his own.
Always protecting her.
Even after betrayal.
Emma broke.
“Why are you still saving me?”
Luca looked at her like the answer was obvious.
“Because I love you.”
The confession hit harder than gunfire.
Emma kissed him instantly.
Desperate.
Crying.
Then Bianca appeared holding a rifle.
And aimed directly at Emma’s heart.
...
CHAPTER 12 — MAFIA WAR
Luca moved instantly.
He shoved Emma aside as Bianca fired.
The bullet tore through Luca’s side.
Emma screamed.
Luca dropped to one knee.
Bianca walked closer slowly.
Rain poured over her face.
“You chose her over me.”
Luca glared up at her.
“Yes.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with tears.
Then rage.
“I loved you!”
Luca stood painfully.
“You loved power.”
Bianca screamed and fired again.
Emma tackled her.
The gun slid across the pavement.
The women fought violently in the rain.
Hair pulling.
Punches.
Blood.
Bianca slammed Emma against a car.
“You ruined everything!”
Emma shoved her back.
“No.
You did.”
Bianca grabbed a hidden knife.
Luca saw it.
His face changed instantly.
Fear.
Real fear.
“EMMA!”
Bianca lunged.
Then a gunshot echoed.
Bianca froze.
Blood spread across her chest.
She slowly looked down.
Luca stood behind her holding the gun.
Bianca stared at him in heartbreak.
Then collapsed.
Dead.
Silence filled the rain.
Emma looked at Luca.
He looked shattered.
Not because Bianca died.
Because another piece of his soul just did.
Police sirens screamed closer.
Luca grabbed Emma’s hand.
“We need to go.”
Emma shook her head.
“No more running.”
Luca stared at her.
Emma stepped closer.
“We end this tonight.”
...
CHAPTER 13 — THE REAL ENEMY
Emma and Luca stormed the Moretti estate together.
Gunfire exploded through the mansion.
Romano soldiers versus Moretti assassins.
War.
Real war.
Emma hid behind marble pillars reloading weapons with shaking hands.
A month ago she served cocktails.
Now she was surviving mafia warfare.
Luca fought beside her.
Cold.
Precise.
Deadly.
But every few seconds his eyes checked Emma.
Always checking.
Always protecting.
They finally reached the main office.
Bianca’s father waited inside.
Antonio Moretti.
The true monster.
Older.
Calm.
Cruel.
He smiled slowly.
“Luca Romano.
The boy who destroyed his own empire over a woman.”
Luca aimed his gun.
“You used Bianca.”
Antonio shrugged.
“She was emotional.
Easy to manipulate.”
Emma’s stomach twisted.
Even in death Bianca had been a pawn.
Antonio looked at Emma.
“You know why the inheritance law exists?”
Emma frowned.
Antonio smiled.
“Because whoever marries the Romano heir gains access to offshore accounts worth billions.”
Luca’s eyes narrowed.
“You wanted Emma alive.”
Antonio nodded.
“At first.
Then you became obsessed with her.”
He laughed softly.
“A mafia king falling in love.
Pathetic.”
Luca fired.
Antonio ducked.
More gunmen flooded the room.
Chaos exploded again.
Emma fought beside Luca desperately.
Then Antonio grabbed Emma from behind.
Gun to her head.
Luca froze instantly.
Antonio smirked.
“There he is.
The weak version of Luca Romano.”
Emma whispered:
“Luca… don’t.”
But Luca already looked broken.
Because for the first time in his life…
He had something to lose.
...
CHAPTER 14 — THE KING CHOOSES LOVE
Antonio pressed the gun harder against Emma’s head.
“Drop your weapon.”
Luca slowly lowered his gun.
Every soldier in the room stared in shock.
Luca Romano never surrendered.
Ever.
Antonio laughed.
“A bartender destroyed the great Luca Romano.”
Emma’s eyes filled with tears.
“No.
I saved him.”
Antonio pulled the trigger.
Click.
Empty.
Emma elbowed him hard.
Luca fired instantly.
Antonio collapsed.
Dead.
Silence.
The war was over.
Romano soldiers slowly lowered their weapons.
Emma turned toward Luca.
Blood covered him.
Bruises.
Pain.
Exhaustion.
But his eyes only searched for her.
Emma ran into his arms.
Luca held her tightly.
Like letting go would destroy him.
Emma whispered against his chest:
“I love you too.”
Luca closed his eyes.
For the first time in years…
Peace.
...
EPILOGUE — MRS. ROMANO
Six months later.
Lake Como.
Italy.
Emma stood on a balcony overlooking the water.
Sunlight danced across the lake.
No gunfire.
No blood.
No fear.
Luca walked behind her quietly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist.
Emma smiled.
“You’re being suspiciously romantic.”
Luca kissed her shoulder.
“I’m trying to improve.”
Emma laughed softly.
The sound still destroyed him.
He handed her a small box.
Emma opened it.
Inside sat a new ring.
Massive.
Beautiful.
Emma blinked.
“Luca…”
He looked nervous.
Actually nervous.
Terrifying mafia boss.
Nervous.
Emma almost melted.
Luca cleared his throat.
“Our first wedding was… chaotic.”
Emma laughed.
“That’s one word for it.”
Luca took her hand.
“This time…”
His voice softened.
“I want you to choose me sober.”
Emma’s eyes filled instantly.
Luca Romano — the man feared across continents — looked at her like she held his entire heart.
And maybe she did.
Emma smiled through tears.
“Yes.
Obviously yes.”
Luca kissed her deeply as church bells echoed across the lake.
Far away from Vegas.
Far away from war.
Just Emma.
And the mafia boss who accidentally became her forever.
THE END
It lied.
And sometimes, it ruined lives before sunrise.
Emma Reed stumbled out of the casino bathroom barefoot, holding her heels in one hand and a half-empty champagne bottle in the other.
The music downstairs pounded through the marble floors.
Her head spun.
Badly.
She should never have accepted those free tequila shots.
She definitely should never have challenged a stranger to poker.
And she absolutely should never have kissed him.
But tonight had already gone too far.
Emma leaned against the wall, laughing weakly at herself.
Twenty-four years old.
Three overdue bills.
Two jobs.
One cheating ex-boyfriend.
Her life was officially a disaster.
Then the elevator doors opened.
And he stepped out.
Tall.
Deadly.
Black suit.
Cold eyes sharp enough to cut glass.
The entire hallway seemed to freeze.
Even drunk, Emma recognized him.
Luca Romano.
Vegas whispered his name like a prayer and a warning.
Mafia king.
Casino owner.
The man who made powerful people disappear.
Emma stared at him.
Then burst out laughing.
“You!”
Luca’s expression barely changed.
But his bodyguards looked horrified.
Nobody pointed at Luca Romano.
Nobody talked to him like that.
Emma walked toward him unsteadily.
“You cheated at poker.”
One guard stepped forward.
“Watch your mouth.”
Luca lifted a finger.
The guard stopped instantly.
Luca looked at Emma.
“You lost because you were drinking.”
Emma squinted.
“No. I lost because you’re evil.”
For one impossible second, amusement flickered across Luca’s face.
That tiny reaction shocked his entire security team.
Emma pointed dramatically.
“There! You smiled! Mafia robots CAN smile.”
The guards looked ready to faint.
Luca stared at her longer than necessary.
Like he was trying to understand why she wasn’t afraid.
Emma suddenly grabbed his tie.
“You know what?”
Luca didn’t move.
“What?”
Emma grinned recklessly.
“You’re hot.
Terrifying.
But hot.”
The hallway went silent.
One bodyguard quietly whispered:
“She’s dead.”
But Luca kept staring at Emma.
Something dark shifted in his eyes.
Interest.
Dangerous interest.
Emma lifted the champagne bottle.
“Come on, Mafia Boss.
One more drink.”
Nobody had invited Luca Romano anywhere in years.
Yet somehow, ten minutes later, Emma sat across from him in a private penthouse bar laughing over cards and whiskey.
And Luca Romano — the man feared by an entire city — couldn’t stop watching her smile.
Three hours later, Emma climbed onto a poker table and shouted:
“LET’S GET MARRIED!”
The room exploded with laughter.
But Luca didn’t laugh.
He stared at her.
Slowly stood.
And said:
“Okay.”
...
CHAPTER 1 — WAKING UP MARRIED
Emma woke to sunlight burning her eyes.
Pain stabbed through her skull.
She groaned.
Silk sheets.
Huge bed.
Massive penthouse ceiling.
Definitely not her apartment.
Her stomach dropped.
She looked down.
A white wedding dress clung to her body.
No.
No no no.
Emma sat up violently.
Then froze.
A shirtless man slept beside her.
Tattooed chest.
Scar across his ribs.
Powerful arms.
Luca Romano.
Emma screamed.
Luca opened his eyes instantly.
Alert.
Deadly.
Like a predator waking.
His gaze locked onto her.
“Good morning, wife.”
Emma nearly fell off the bed.
“What?!”
Luca sat up slowly.
Calm.
Too calm.
Emma grabbed a lamp.
“Stay back!”
Luca looked at the lamp.
Then at her.
“You think that will help?”
Emma blinked.
Fair point.
“What happened last night?”
Luca reached toward the nightstand and handed her a document.
Marriage certificate.
Official.
Stamped.
Signed.
EMMA REED.
LUCA ROMANO.
Emma stared at it in horror.
“No.”
Luca leaned back against the headboard.
“You proposed.”
“I was drunk!”
“You were enthusiastic.”
Emma buried her face in her hands.
“Oh my God…”
Flashbacks hit her.
Casino lights.
Champagne.
Elvis impersonator.
Luca holding her waist.
Her laughing uncontrollably.
Then a kiss.
Deep.
Intense.
Dangerously real.
Emma looked up sharply.
“Did we…”
Luca’s expression darkened slightly.
“Yes.”
Emma almost died.
“Oh my GOD.”
She jumped out of bed.
“I’m leaving.”
Two armed guards immediately blocked the penthouse doors.
Emma froze.
Luca stood behind her.
Barefoot.
Shirtless.
Terrifying.
“You can’t leave yet.”
Emma turned.
“Excuse me?”
Luca walked closer.
“Last night changed things.”
“I know! We made a mistake!”
Luca’s eyes hardened.
“No.
We triggered a war.”
Emma laughed nervously.
“What does that even mean?”
Luca looked directly at her.
“Because according to mafia law…”
He paused.
“You’re now queen of the Romano empire.”
Emma blinked.
Then burst out laughing.
Luca didn’t.
The laughter slowly died in her throat.
Then the penthouse windows exploded.
Gunfire erupted.
Luca grabbed Emma and threw her to the ground.
Bullets shredded the room.
Emma screamed.
Luca pulled a gun from beneath the table.
His face transformed instantly.
Cold.
Murderous.
The real Luca Romano had arrived.
...
CHAPTER 2 — THE MAFIA QUEEN
Glass rained across the penthouse.
Emma covered her head.
More bullets tore through the walls.
Luca fired back calmly.
Like he’d done this a thousand times.
One sniper dropped from the rooftop opposite the building.
Dead.
Emma stared in shock.
“Oh my God…”
Luca grabbed her wrist.
“Move.”
He dragged her through hidden steel doors behind the penthouse bar.
The room sealed shut.
Soundproof.
Silent.
Emma shook violently.
“What the hell is happening?!”
Luca checked his weapon.
“My enemies found out about our marriage.”
“WHY WOULD THEY CARE?”
Luca looked at her.
“Because the Romano inheritance requires a legal wife.”
Emma frowned.
“What?”
“My grandfather built the empire with old Sicilian rules.”
He stepped closer.
“If I marry, my wife automatically gains legal claim to Romano assets, territories, and leadership rights.”
Emma blinked.
“So?”
“So now every rival family believes controlling you means controlling me.”
Emma went pale.
“You’re kidding.”
Luca stayed silent.
That silence terrified her more.
Emma backed away.
“No.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
I’m getting an annulment.”
Luca’s jaw tightened.
“You think they’ll care?”
Emma opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Luca stepped forward.
“From the moment you signed those papers…”
His voice lowered.
“You became a target.”
A massive explosion shook the building.
Emma screamed.
The emergency lights turned red.
Luca cursed softly in Italian.
“What?” Emma whispered.
Luca looked toward the steel door.
“They brought rockets.”
...
CHAPTER 3 — THE ESCAPE
Sirens screamed through the building.
Smoke filled the hidden bunker hallway.
Luca grabbed Emma’s hand.
“Stay close.”
Emma pulled away.
“You don’t get to order me around!”
Luca stopped suddenly.
His eyes locked onto hers.
Cold.
Intense.
“You think this is a game?”
Emma froze.
Luca moved closer.
“If they catch you…”
His voice dropped lower.
“They won’t kill you quickly.”
Fear crawled through Emma’s chest.
He wasn’t exaggerating.
The building shook again.
Luca pushed her forward.
They reached a hidden underground garage.
Black armored vehicles waited.
Dozens of armed men surrounded them.
One approached Luca immediately.
“Boss. Moretti soldiers breached the east tower.”
Emma frowned.
“Moretti?”
The man hesitated after noticing her.
Luca answered instead.
“Bianca Moretti’s family.”
Emma noticed the irritation in his voice.
“And who’s Bianca?”
Silence.
Luca opened the SUV door.
“Get in.”
Emma crossed her arms.
“Who. Is. Bianca?”
A female voice answered behind her.
“His fiancée.”
Emma turned.
A stunning woman stepped from the shadows.
Red dress.
Diamond earrings.
Eyes full of hatred.
Bianca Moretti.
The woman looked Emma up and down with disgust.
Then she smiled.
Cruel.
“So this is the bartender who ruined my wedding.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
She looked at Luca.
“You were engaged?!”
Luca’s expression darkened.
“It wasn’t real.”
Bianca laughed bitterly.
“Funny.
Your family announced it publicly.”
Emma stepped back.
“Oh my God…”
Bianca moved closer.
“You married my future husband after one drunken night.”
Emma immediately held up her hands.
“Okay, listen, I didn’t know—”
Bianca suddenly slapped her.
Hard.
Guards tensed.
Emma stared in shock.
Bianca whispered:
“You stole my life.”
Luca grabbed Bianca’s wrist instantly.
Too hard.
Bianca winced.
Luca’s voice turned lethal.
“Touch my wife again…”
The air went cold.
“…and I’ll burn your family to the ground.”
Emma’s heart stopped.
Because he sounded completely serious.
...
CHAPTER 4 — THE SAFEHOUSE
The safehouse sat deep in the Nevada desert.
Huge walls.
Armed guards.
Motion sensors.
Emma stared out the SUV window.
“This is insane.”
Luca sat beside her silently.
His hand rested near his gun the entire drive.
Like danger could appear at any second.
Maybe it could.
Emma looked at him.
“Are you always like this?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t smile much.”
“You talk too much.”
Emma rolled her eyes.
“I’m being kidnapped politely.”
Luca almost smirked.
Almost.
That tiny reaction frustrated Emma.
Because underneath the danger and violence…
He was unfairly attractive.
And that was a problem.
A massive problem.
The safehouse doors opened.
Inside looked less like a bunker and more like a luxury mansion.
Emma turned slowly.
“You rich criminals are dramatic.”
Luca ignored her.
A doctor approached immediately.
“Boss, your shoulder.”
Emma frowned.
“What shoulder?”
Luca removed his jacket.
Blood soaked through his shirt.
Emma gasped.
“You were shot?!”
Luca barely reacted.
“It grazed me.”
The doctor started cleaning the wound.
Emma watched silently.
Scars covered Luca’s body.
Knife wounds.
Gunshot marks.
Old burns.
He looked like a man built entirely from violence.
Yet somehow, seeing him injured hurt her chest.
Emma hated that feeling instantly.
The doctor finished.
“You need rest.”
Luca nodded.
Then looked at Emma.
“You’ll stay here.”
Emma blinked.
“You say that like I have a choice.”
“You don’t.”
Emma exploded.
“I’m not your property!”
Luca stepped closer.
Dangerously close.
“You think I want this?”
His voice cracked slightly for the first time.
“You think I wanted some reckless stranger becoming my weakness overnight?”
Emma froze.
Weakness.
The word hit differently.
Luca stared at her for a long second.
Then walked away.
Leaving Emma breathless.
...
CHAPTER 5 — OBSESSION
Three days passed.
Emma remained trapped in the desert mansion.
Technically not trapped.
But every exit had guards.
Every hallway had cameras.
And Luca Romano watched everything.
Emma sat by the pool angrily throwing olives into the water.
A maid approached nervously.
“Mrs. Romano, lunch is ready.”
Emma groaned.
“Please stop calling me that.”
But secretly…
The title sent strange heat through her chest.
She hated it.
Probably.
Inside the dining room, Luca sat at the head of the table reading reports.
Emma dropped into a chair.
“You know normal husbands buy flowers.”
Luca didn’t look up.
“I bought bulletproof windows.”
Emma sighed.
“Romance is dead.”
A tiny smirk appeared.
Tiny.
But real.
Emma noticed.
And for one dangerous second…
She forgot he was terrifying.
Then Luca’s phone rang.
His face darkened immediately.
“What happened?”
Silence.
Emma watched carefully.
Luca stood.
“No one touches my territory without permission.”
He hung up.
Emma frowned.
“What now?”
Luca looked at her.
“Bianca kidnapped one of my men.”
Emma crossed her arms.
“Your ex seems intense.”
“She’s not my ex.”
“She literally tried to kill me.”
“She’s trying to start a war.”
Emma stood too.
“Then end it.”
Luca’s expression hardened.
“You don’t understand this world.”
Emma stepped closer.
“Then explain it.”
Silence.
Luca finally spoke.
“My father built this empire with blood.
I inherited enemies before I could drive.
People don’t leave this life.”
Emma softened slightly.
For the first time…
He sounded tired.
Not ruthless.
Just exhausted.
Emma quietly asked:
“And what do you want?”
Luca stared at her.
Long.
Dangerously long.
Then said:
“You.”
Emma’s breath caught.
The tension between them exploded.
Luca moved closer slowly.
Emma didn’t move away.
His hand touched her waist.
Gentle.
Unexpectedly gentle.
Then alarms suddenly screamed through the mansion.
A guard burst inside.
“Boss!
We found a bomb in Emma’s room!”
...
CHAPTER 6 — THE WOMAN WHO WANTS HER DEAD
The bedroom was destroyed.
Half the walls burned black.
Smoke filled the air.
Emma stared in horror.
“That was supposed to kill me.”
Luca’s face turned terrifyingly calm.
The kind of calm before murder.
He picked up part of the explosive device.
Then saw the symbol.
A silver serpent.
Bianca.
Luca crushed the metal piece in his fist.
Emma swallowed hard.
“Your fiancée really hates me.”
Luca turned slowly.
“She’s not my fiancée anymore.”
Emma looked away.
Why did that sentence affect her?
That was ridiculous.
A few hours later, Luca arrived at the Moretti estate.
Massive gates opened.
Mafia soldiers lined the hallways.
Bianca waited beside a fireplace wearing white silk.
Like a queen waiting for war.
She smiled coldly.
“You came alone.”
Luca stared at her.
“You planted a bomb in my wife’s room.”
Bianca’s eyes darkened at the word wife.
“She stole you.”
Luca moved closer.
“No.
I chose her.”
Bianca flinched.
The truth wounded her more than anger.
She laughed bitterly.
“You barely know that girl.”
Luca’s voice lowered.
“I know enough.”
Bianca stepped closer.
“I loved you for years.”
Silence.
Then Luca said quietly:
“I never asked you to.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with tears.
But rage burned stronger.
“You’ll regret humiliating me.”
Luca leaned toward her.
“No.
You’ll regret threatening Emma.”
Then he walked away.
Bianca watched him leave.
Heartbroken.
Humiliated.
Dangerous.
Then she whispered to her bodyguard:
“Kill the bartender.
Slowly.”
...
CHAPTER 7 — THE KISS
Rain poured over the desert mansion.
Emma stood on the balcony staring into the storm.
She couldn’t sleep.
Too much had changed too fast.
Three days ago she worried about rent.
Now people were planting bombs to kill her.
Luca stepped beside her silently.
Emma didn’t look at him.
“You ever think about quitting?”
Luca frowned.
“What?”
“The mafia.
The violence.
All of it.”
Luca stared into the rain.
“Every day.”
Emma finally looked at him.
“You do?”
Luca nodded once.
“My father died for this empire.
Then my brother died.
Now everyone expects me to keep killing for it.”
Emma softened.
“You had a brother?”
Luca’s jaw tightened.
“He was supposed to lead after my father.”
“What happened?”
Silence.
Then:
“He was betrayed.”
Emma noticed the pain immediately.
Real pain.
Not the cold mafia mask.
The man underneath.
She stepped closer carefully.
“I’m sorry.”
Luca looked at her.
Rain reflected in his dark eyes.
“You’re the first good thing that’s happened to me in years.”
Emma’s heart slammed against her ribs.
Dangerous.
Everything about this was dangerous.
She whispered:
“This marriage isn’t real.”
Luca moved closer.
“Feels real to me.”
Emma stopped breathing.
Luca touched her face slowly.
Like she was fragile.
Precious.
Then he kissed her.
Deep.
Intense.
Possessive.
Emma melted instantly.
Her fingers grabbed his shirt.
Luca pulled her against him harder.
The storm disappeared.
The world disappeared.
Then a gunshot shattered the moment.
Blood sprayed across Emma’s shoulder.
She screamed.
Luca caught her before she collapsed.
And for the first time in years…
Luca Romano looked terrified.
...
CHAPTER 8 — THE WOMAN HE CAN’T LOSE
The mansion exploded into chaos.
Guards stormed the balconies.
Luca carried Emma through the halls.
Blood soaked through her shirt.
Emma cried in pain.
“Luca…”
His chest tightened violently hearing his name like that.
The doctor rushed forward.
“She’s losing blood.”
Luca slammed him against the wall.
“Then save her.”
The entire room froze.
Nobody had ever seen Luca lose control like this.
Hours passed.
Luca stood outside the medical room covered in Emma’s blood.
One of his captains approached carefully.
“Boss… we tracked the sniper.”
Luca’s expression turned deadly.
“Bianca?”
The captain nodded.
Luca picked up his gun.
Murder radiated from him.
The doctor suddenly emerged.
“She’s awake.”
Luca froze.
Then immediately entered.
Emma looked pale.
Weak.
Beautiful.
Luca sat beside her bed.
For several seconds neither spoke.
Then Emma whispered:
“You were scared.”
Luca looked away.
“No.”
Emma smiled weakly.
“You almost killed the doctor.”
Luca stared at her.
“I thought you died.”
The raw honesty stunned her.
Emma’s chest tightened.
Because she suddenly realized something horrifying.
She was falling for him.
The mafia boss.
The criminal.
The dangerous man everyone feared.
And somehow…
He looked at her like she mattered more than the entire world.
Emma whispered:
“This can’t happen.”
Luca leaned closer.
“It already did.”
Then he kissed her forehead gently.
And Emma’s heart was officially doomed.
...
CHAPTER 9 — THE BETRAYAL
Emma healed slowly.
But peace never lasted.
One morning, she woke to shouting downstairs.
She followed the voices.
Then froze.
Police.
Federal agents flooded the mansion.
Luca stood surrounded.
An FBI agent held up a warrant.
“Luca Romano, you’re under arrest for racketeering, murder, and conspiracy.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
Luca’s eyes immediately found hers.
Calm.
Too calm.
Then the lead agent turned toward Emma.
“Miss Reed.
Thank you for your cooperation.”
Silence.
Luca slowly looked at Emma.
Confusion.
Then betrayal.
Emma blinked.
“What?”
The agent frowned.
“You called us three nights ago.”
Emma’s blood ran cold.
Oh no.
The phone.
She remembered.
Before the shooting.
Terrified and desperate, she’d secretly contacted authorities.
But she never expected this.
Luca stared at her.
His expression shattered something inside her.
Not anger.
Hurt.
Emma stepped forward desperately.
“Luca, I didn’t know—”
He pulled away when she touched him.
That hurt more than screaming.
The agents dragged him away.
Luca paused at the doorway.
Then said quietly:
“I trusted you.”
The door slammed.
Emma burst into tears.
...
CHAPTER 10 — WITHOUT HIM
The mansion felt empty without Luca.
Cold.
Dead.
Emma sat alone staring at the news.
LUCA ROMANO ARRESTED.
MAFIA KING FINALLY FALLS.
Every channel celebrated.
But Emma’s chest only hurt.
Because she knew the truth.
Underneath the violence…
Luca protected people.
Protected her.
And she betrayed him.
A maid entered nervously.
“Miss Reed… someone’s here.”
Emma looked up.
Bianca Moretti walked inside smiling.
Beautiful.
Cruel.
Victorious.
“Well,” Bianca said softly.
“You finally destroyed him.”
Emma stood.
“I didn’t mean to.”
Bianca laughed.
“Oh, sweetheart.
You still don’t understand.”
Emma frowned.
Bianca moved closer.
“The FBI works for my family.”
Emma froze.
“What?”
“Luca’s arrest was planned.
And you made it easy.”
Emma’s heart stopped.
Bianca whispered:
“Now I get to kill him.”
...
CHAPTER 11 — THE TRUTH ABOUT LUCA
Emma rushed to the prison transport route.
Rain hammered the highway.
She screamed at guards.
“Please!
You don’t understand!
They’re going to kill him!”
Nobody listened.
Then explosions erupted ahead.
Black SUVs crashed into the prison convoy.
Gunfire exploded.
Chaos everywhere.
Emma screamed.
Bianca’s men attacked from both sides.
Vehicles burned.
Bullets tore through the rain.
Then Emma saw Luca.
Handcuffed.
Bleeding.
Fighting three armed men barehanded.
Even injured, he looked terrifying.
One assassin aimed a gun at Luca’s back.
Emma grabbed a fallen pistol.
Hands shaking.
She fired.
The assassin dropped.
Luca turned sharply.
Shock crossed his face seeing Emma.
She ran toward him.
“I’m sorry!”
Bullets flew around them.
Emma cried.
“I never wanted to hurt you!”
Luca grabbed her before another explosion hit.
He shielded her body with his own.
Always protecting her.
Even after betrayal.
Emma broke.
“Why are you still saving me?”
Luca looked at her like the answer was obvious.
“Because I love you.”
The confession hit harder than gunfire.
Emma kissed him instantly.
Desperate.
Crying.
Then Bianca appeared holding a rifle.
And aimed directly at Emma’s heart.
...
CHAPTER 12 — MAFIA WAR
Luca moved instantly.
He shoved Emma aside as Bianca fired.
The bullet tore through Luca’s side.
Emma screamed.
Luca dropped to one knee.
Bianca walked closer slowly.
Rain poured over her face.
“You chose her over me.”
Luca glared up at her.
“Yes.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with tears.
Then rage.
“I loved you!”
Luca stood painfully.
“You loved power.”
Bianca screamed and fired again.
Emma tackled her.
The gun slid across the pavement.
The women fought violently in the rain.
Hair pulling.
Punches.
Blood.
Bianca slammed Emma against a car.
“You ruined everything!”
Emma shoved her back.
“No.
You did.”
Bianca grabbed a hidden knife.
Luca saw it.
His face changed instantly.
Fear.
Real fear.
“EMMA!”
Bianca lunged.
Then a gunshot echoed.
Bianca froze.
Blood spread across her chest.
She slowly looked down.
Luca stood behind her holding the gun.
Bianca stared at him in heartbreak.
Then collapsed.
Dead.
Silence filled the rain.
Emma looked at Luca.
He looked shattered.
Not because Bianca died.
Because another piece of his soul just did.
Police sirens screamed closer.
Luca grabbed Emma’s hand.
“We need to go.”
Emma shook her head.
“No more running.”
Luca stared at her.
Emma stepped closer.
“We end this tonight.”
...
CHAPTER 13 — THE REAL ENEMY
Emma and Luca stormed the Moretti estate together.
Gunfire exploded through the mansion.
Romano soldiers versus Moretti assassins.
War.
Real war.
Emma hid behind marble pillars reloading weapons with shaking hands.
A month ago she served cocktails.
Now she was surviving mafia warfare.
Luca fought beside her.
Cold.
Precise.
Deadly.
But every few seconds his eyes checked Emma.
Always checking.
Always protecting.
They finally reached the main office.
Bianca’s father waited inside.
Antonio Moretti.
The true monster.
Older.
Calm.
Cruel.
He smiled slowly.
“Luca Romano.
The boy who destroyed his own empire over a woman.”
Luca aimed his gun.
“You used Bianca.”
Antonio shrugged.
“She was emotional.
Easy to manipulate.”
Emma’s stomach twisted.
Even in death Bianca had been a pawn.
Antonio looked at Emma.
“You know why the inheritance law exists?”
Emma frowned.
Antonio smiled.
“Because whoever marries the Romano heir gains access to offshore accounts worth billions.”
Luca’s eyes narrowed.
“You wanted Emma alive.”
Antonio nodded.
“At first.
Then you became obsessed with her.”
He laughed softly.
“A mafia king falling in love.
Pathetic.”
Luca fired.
Antonio ducked.
More gunmen flooded the room.
Chaos exploded again.
Emma fought beside Luca desperately.
Then Antonio grabbed Emma from behind.
Gun to her head.
Luca froze instantly.
Antonio smirked.
“There he is.
The weak version of Luca Romano.”
Emma whispered:
“Luca… don’t.”
But Luca already looked broken.
Because for the first time in his life…
He had something to lose.
...
CHAPTER 14 — THE KING CHOOSES LOVE
Antonio pressed the gun harder against Emma’s head.
“Drop your weapon.”
Luca slowly lowered his gun.
Every soldier in the room stared in shock.
Luca Romano never surrendered.
Ever.
Antonio laughed.
“A bartender destroyed the great Luca Romano.”
Emma’s eyes filled with tears.
“No.
I saved him.”
Antonio pulled the trigger.
Click.
Empty.
Emma elbowed him hard.
Luca fired instantly.
Antonio collapsed.
Dead.
Silence.
The war was over.
Romano soldiers slowly lowered their weapons.
Emma turned toward Luca.
Blood covered him.
Bruises.
Pain.
Exhaustion.
But his eyes only searched for her.
Emma ran into his arms.
Luca held her tightly.
Like letting go would destroy him.
Emma whispered against his chest:
“I love you too.”
Luca closed his eyes.
For the first time in years…
Peace.
...
EPILOGUE — MRS. ROMANO
Six months later.
Lake Como.
Italy.
Emma stood on a balcony overlooking the water.
Sunlight danced across the lake.
No gunfire.
No blood.
No fear.
Luca walked behind her quietly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist.
Emma smiled.
“You’re being suspiciously romantic.”
Luca kissed her shoulder.
“I’m trying to improve.”
Emma laughed softly.
The sound still destroyed him.
He handed her a small box.
Emma opened it.
Inside sat a new ring.
Massive.
Beautiful.
Emma blinked.
“Luca…”
He looked nervous.
Actually nervous.
Terrifying mafia boss.
Nervous.
Emma almost melted.
Luca cleared his throat.
“Our first wedding was… chaotic.”
Emma laughed.
“That’s one word for it.”
Luca took her hand.
“This time…”
His voice softened.
“I want you to choose me sober.”
Emma’s eyes filled instantly.
Luca Romano — the man feared across continents — looked at her like she held his entire heart.
And maybe she did.
Emma smiled through tears.
“Yes.
Obviously yes.”
Luca kissed her deeply as church bells echoed across the lake.
Far away from Vegas.
Far away from war.
Just Emma.
And the mafia boss who accidentally became her forever.
THE END
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