22
The moment I stepped into my mansion that night, my mind was already racing, consumed by everything Lenora had revealed earlier. Her broken voice, the tear-streaked face she tried so hard to hide, and those haunting words—he took advantage of my innocence.
Fucking bastard.
My blood boiled just thinking about it. The bastard who had dared to hurt her had no idea what was coming. My fists clenched as I shrugged out of my jacket, my jaw so tight I thought it might shatter. Lenora might believe that part of her life was in the past, but it wasn't. Not anymore.
I couldn't sit idly by knowing that the person who had destroyed her trust, her sense of safety, was still walking free. No, I would find him. And I would make him pay.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed one of my most trusted investigators—Dimitri, a man whose reputation for uncovering even the most deeply buried secrets was unmatched.
"Luca," he greeted, his voice gruff but respectful.
"I need you to dig into someone's past," I said without preamble, pacing the length of my office. "England. About a six years ago. A distant relative's household—his son."
"Understood," Dimitri said, not even flinching at the lack of details. He didn't need much to go on. He thrived on scraps, weaving them into full-fledged exposes. "And once I find him?"
"You'll report back to me. But make no mistake, Dimitri—I want every detail. Every move he's made since then. And when I have what I need, I'll decide what happens next."
There was a pause on the other end, and I could almost hear Dimitri's smirk. "Consider it done. You'll have updates within the week."
I ended the call, my chest heaving as I stared out the window at the sprawling city below.
This wasn't just about vengeance—though I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to destroy the man who had hurt her.
It was about protecting Lenora, ensuring she never had to look over her shoulder or carry the weight of that trauma alone again.
The next morning, I arrived at the office early, more on edge than usual.
My employees quickly recognized the mood I was in and wisely stayed out of my way.
I wasn't in the mood for excuses or incompetence today.
The only thing on my mind was Lenora—and how I could shield her from the world's cruelty, even if she didn't think she needed it.
When I stepped into my private office, I was surprised to find her already there, seated at the small table in the corner.
Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, strands of it falling around her face as she leaned over a sketchpad.
Her expression was one of pure concentration, her pencil moving across the paper with swift precision.
I hadn't known Lenora could draw.
"Good morning," I said, my voice cutting through the silence.
She jumped slightly, her head snapping up to meet my gaze. Her cheeks flushed as she quickly closed the sketchpad, tucking it under her arm.
"Good morning, Mr. Maroni," she said, standing as if to excuse herself.
"Stop," I said, taking a step closer. Her movements froze, her eyes wide as I gestured to the sketchpad. "What were you working on?"
"It's nothing," she said hurriedly, clutching the pad against her chest.
"It didn't look like 'nothing,'" I said, my tone softening. "Let me see."
But before I could press further my phone buzzed distracting me which Lenora took as an opportunity to slip past me without a word.
What was she hiding?
Later that night, I was reviewing contracts in my study when my phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, I saw Lenora's name and immediately picked up.
"Lenora?"
Her voice was shaky, barely a whisper. "L..luca..."
"What's wrong?" I demanded, already standing and grabbing my car keys.
"I... I had another nightmare," she admitted, her words broken by quiet sobs. "I didn't know who else to call."
"I'm on my way," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Stay on the line with me until I get there."
I could hear her breathing, uneven and ragged, as I drove through the city at breakneck speed. By the time I reached her apartment, my mind was a storm of emotions—anger, concern, and an overwhelming need to comfort her.
When I opened the door, her face was pale, her eyes red from crying. Without a word I stalked towards her and pulled her into my arms, cradling her against me like she was the most precious thing in the world.
She is the most precious thing in the world to me.
"You're safe now," I murmured, stroking her hair. "I won't let anything hurt you, Lenora. Not now, not ever."
Her sobs quieted turning into little hiccups as I held her, my resolve hardening. I would find the man who had caused her so much pain—and when I did, he would wish he'd never been born.