27
The morning light poured through the glass walls of my office, illuminating the dark oak desk in front of me.
I'd arrived earlier than usual, as I often did when my mind refused to grant me peace.
The events of last night lingered in my thoughts, the quiet vulnerability Lenora had shared with me stirring emotions, her nightmare I hadn't expected.
I sat back in my chair, absently tapping a pen against the edge of my desk.
My mind replayed her words, the anguish in her voice when she spoke about her past. Every time I thought about what she had endured, my blood boiled.
And the thought of the man—the one who had dared to lay a hand on her—ignited a fury I could barely contain.
I didn't have to wait long for the answers I sought. At exactly 8:00 AM, my phone buzzed. It was Dimitri, the investigator I had hired to dig into her past.
"It's done," he said without preamble. His tone was sharp, professional. "I found him."
I straightened in my chair, gripping the phone tightly. "Talk."
"His name is Sam Kenneth. Twenty-six years old. Lives in a small town outside Manchester. Currently unemployed. He has a history of minor offenses—bar fights, public disturbances, that kind of thing. But nothing major on his record."
Minor offenses. Public disturbances. The words made my jaw clench. They painted a picture of a man who thrived on chaos, someone who had likely used his physicality to intimidate and harm.
"What about his connection to Lenora?" I asked though I knew that, my voice cold.
"He's the son of her distant relative-uncle. From what I could gather, he lived in the same house as her when she first moved to England. There were no official reports or complaints, but..." He hesitated.
"But what?" I demanded, my tone sharper now.
"There were whispers. Neighbors who noticed Lenora seemed withdrawn during her time there. A few people said she would avoid him, even crossing the street if she saw him coming. It's circumstantial, but it paints a picture."
A picture that made my stomach churn with rage. I stood abruptly, pacing the length of my office. The walls seemed to close in on me as the reality of what Lenora had endured became clearer.
"Send me everything you have on him," I said, my tone icy. "His address, his habits, any details you've uncovered."
Dimitri hesitated. "Luca, I know your temper, and I'm obligated to remind you to let the law handle—"
"Send me everything," I interrupted, my voice leaving no room for argument.
There was a long pause before he sighed. "You'll have the file within the hour."
I ended the call and tossed the phone onto my desk. My hands gripped the edge of the desk as I stared out the window, my reflection barely visible in the glass. My chest heaved with the effort of controlling the storm brewing inside me.
Lenora didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve any of it. And I would make sure Sam Kenneth regretted every second of his miserable existence.
I was still fuming when Lenora knocked lightly on my office door. I turned, forcing my expression into something neutral as she stepped inside.
"Good morning," she said softly, offering me a small smile. She carried a stack of folders in her hands, her usual air of calm masking the storm I knew she carried within her.
The kiss yesterday is all I could think about.
"Good morning," I replied, my voice softer than I intended.
She placed the folders on my desk, her movements graceful and efficient. "These are the reports you asked for. The marketing team also wanted to confirm the timeline for the new campaign."
I nodded, barely registering her words. My eyes followed her as she moved, her presence somehow both soothing and infuriating. She had no idea what I had just learned, no idea that the man who had haunted her past was now in my sights.
"Lenora," I said suddenly, my tone making her pause.
"Yes?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
I hesitated, the urge to tell her everything warring with the knowledge that it might only upset her further. Instead, I chose my words carefully. "You don't need to worry about your past anymore. I'll take care of it."
Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Just trust me," I said firmly. "I'll make sure you're safe. Always."
Her lips parted as if to protest, but she seemed to think better of it. Instead, she nodded, her eyes searching mine. "Thank you, Luca," she said softly.
Her gratitude was like a knife to my chest. She shouldn't have to thank me for something that should have been her right all along—safety, peace, freedom.
As she left my office, I sank back into my chair, my resolve hardening. Sam Kenneth would pay for what he had done, and he would never hurt Lenora—or anyone else—again.
And as for Lenora... I would protect her with everything I had. Even if it meant tearing the world apart to keep her safe.