Page 73 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“Fine,” I relent with a smile. “She’s all yours for now.” I open the door just enough to let her slip back inside and close it softly behind her.

I rub absently at the ache in my chest. It’s a good pain but one that terrifies me. I glance back at the door, where she sleeps, peaceful and unaware. She’s become the center of everything. And now, I have to make sure the world never figures that out—while ensuring she never doubts me. Not for a second.

Reluctantly, I head to my own room to shower, hesitating before I step under the water, not wanting to lose the scent of her lingering on my skin. But it’s time to slip into the role I’ve known all my life—The Reaper. The man who does what needs to be done, no matter the cost.

I’ve never had to switch between two sides of myself before. I’ve always been The Reaper, with every breath, every decision. But now, I feel something shifting. Having glimpsed heaven in her arms, hearing it in her moans—there’s no way I’ll ever want to go.

Once I’m dressed for the day, I head downstairs later than usual and find Teresa cooking, her back turned to me as she hums softly.

“Oh, Mr. Lucchese, you’re still here! Would you like some breakfast this morning?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder with a warm smile.

I shake my head. “No, thank you. I’ll just grab a coffee.”

She watches me for a moment, a knowing look crossing her face. “Just so you know, I’m taking good care of her. We all care for her, you know.”

“Yes,” I murmur, feeling a tightness in my chest. “She’s impossible not to love, isn’t she?”

Indeed, she is.

I don’t want to leave today. Every instinct in me tells me to stay, to work from home, to be near her—to make sure she doesn’t regret us and is willing to do it all again and again. But duty calls. I need to set the plan in motion and work on my father’s diversion. The sooner this business with Leo is forgotten, the sooner I can focus on spending more time with Nora. And maybe, just maybe, start working on the heir I never thought I’d want.

Kids were never my thing—tiny, needy humans with endless demands. But a child with Nora? That changes everything. Achild with her would be different. It wouldn’t just be a legacy, it’d be a part of her, a part of us.

I finish my coffee quickly and make my way out of the house, but not before looking back toward the stairs, where I know she’s still sleeping. A part of me wants to rush back up, crawl into bed beside her, and hold her again. But business calls, and I have to deal with this now.

By the time I arrive at my father’s estate, I feel the weight of the day settling in. I promised Vargas I’d let him off the hook if he and his tech genius could pull this off. It’s no small mission, and it needs to be foolproof. If they succeed, everything will be set in motion.

When I step into the estate, I notice a few of my father’s most trusted men exiting his office. Their faces are grim, but that’s no surprise. I can’t help but smirk as I pass them, knowing full well what they’ve been discussing.

The plan is working.

The diversion is already in motion. Soon, my father will be too distracted with the new mess I’ve laid before him, and I’ll finally have the time and freedom to focus on what really matters—Nora, my queen, and the future we’ll build together.

I enter the office, knowing my father’s waiting. But for once, I’m not concerned about the confrontation. Today, I have the upper hand.

“Is everything alright?” I ask, watching him closely. His face is flushed, anger simmering just beneath the surface as he clutches a tumbler of scotch, drinking it down in one go.

“Fredo was a fucking traitor,” he spits out, slamming the empty glass down on the desk.

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “I know. We established that already. Drinking this early?” I raise an eyebrow. “It’s not even ten.”

“It doesn’t matter. I haven’t slept yet.” He runs a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. “It’s worse than we thought. It wasn’t just him.”

I sit up, feigning mild surprise. “Really?”

“He was involved with the whole cartel,” he continues, his voice tight. “And it seems he killed a few of their men.”

This is better than I expected. I cross my legs, settling in for the show. “Do you need my help?”

My father shoots me a sharp look, then glances toward the ceiling as if asking for patience. “No. Rodrigo only wants to deal with the boss. That’s me.”

“Ah.” I nod, biting back a smirk. For once, I won’t be cleaning up the mess. I won’t lie—watching him squirm gives me a twisted sense of satisfaction. He’s always kept me in the trenches, executing plans and dealing with the fallout while he stays on his throne. But today, he gets to deal with the flames while I sit comfortably on the sidelines.

“Well, good luck with that,” I say, adjusting my jacket. “You know where to find me if you need anything.”

He grunts, swirling the remaining scotch in his glass, clearly displeased with the situation. But for once, it’s not my problem. Yet, there’s something inside me that wants to push this further, twist the knife.

“I’m taking Nora to Tuscany,” I announce casually, watching him closely for his reaction.

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