Maverick continues:
“If I die before I have a son and he’s not ready for the chair, the ring goes to Luca only as aplaceholder…a steward. He holds it until my son comes of age, and then he will yield it without hesitation.”
Luca’s chin raises with fierce devotion.
“And if I never have a son,” Maverick says, voice gentling in a way that hits like a bruise, “then Luca will guard the ring until he has a son of his own. Andhisson will be raised for the role. So, take it. Hide it. Pray you never need it. But if the day comes… you will be the one who decides whether my family lives or dies. Should you choose not to accept that responsibility, then Luca will step up. But, as of right now, he’s not ready. So, this is how I show you that I trust you, Spike. I freely give you my empire to care for until Luca is ready for that responsibility.”
Spike closes his fingers slowly around the ring.
And for a heartbeat, no one breathes.
Because everyone in the damn room understands exactly what just happened.
This isn’t just a ring. This isn’t just an alliance.
This is surrender. This is devotion.
This is a Don kneeling without ever touching the ground.
“This is intense,” Eli mutters under his breath.
Riley snorts, and Sunny wheezes. Within seconds, both women are laughing like they’ve been holding it in for ten minutes.
“You’re so right, Eli,” Riley manages, wiping her eyes.
“Maverick,” Abby says softly, “are your men… kind?”
And just like that, the laughter dies.
Of course,that’sher question.
Of course, she wants to know if the men of the Italian Mafia are gentle.
Because she’s seen the opposite. She’s lived the opposite.
And deep down, she’s probably always terrified of meeting it again.
Maverick opens his mouth, but he never gets the chance to answer.
Because Luca steps forward.
Then he kneels beside Abby’s chair.
Slow. Respectful. No theatrics. No swagger. Just a man lowering himself to her level because he most likely sees what we all see when we look at Abby. Something fragile and yet…pure.
He studies her face with a soft frown.
“Signorina… in the Moretti family, a man who is unkind does not remain a man for long.”
Abby’s breath catches.
Luca continues, voice lowering even further.
“We are raised to protect. To cherish. To honorla donna…women…because they are the heart of our home. The breath of our family. Any man who harms a woman…” He shakes his head slowly. “He is not our brother. He is not our blood. He is… nothing. Our Don…your friend…would never allow such scum to tarnish the Moretti name. You are safe with every male of oursyou encounter. Some may seem harsh and emotionless…much like your Bones…but all are safe.”
Abby blinks rapidly, overwhelmed.
And then, like dawn cracking through clouds, she smiles.
