1. The Lion's Den

SOPHIA'S POV

The rain had been relentless since I left the city. By the time the car turned into the long, winding driveway of the Moretti estate, my nerves were as frayed as the edges of my leather tote bag. Through the rain-streaked window, I could see the outline of the mansion. It was massive, imposing, its windows glowing faintly against the stormy night.

This wasn’t the kind of job I had imagined for myself when I became a teacher. But then again, nothing in my life had gone according to plan lately. I had to take whatever was available.

“Miss Blake?”

The driver’s voice startled me. He was one of the many men I had spotted patrolling the grounds when we pulled up. I nodded and stepped out of the car, clutching my bag to my chest. The cold air bit at my skin as I followed him to the grand front doors, which creaked open to reveal an older man with a stern face and sharp eyes.

“Mr. Moretti is waiting.” He said curtly, motioning for me to follow him as he climbed the stairs.

I had done my research. At least, as much as I could. Luca Moretti wasn’t just a wealthy single father looking for a tutor. He was a man whose name carried weight in whispers and shadows, someone who reportedly controlled a significant piece of the city’s underworld.

And now I was walking straight into his home. The possibilities of what could happen to me were endless.

The study was dark and intimidating, with bookshelves lining the walls and a roaring fire casting flickering shadows. Luca Moretti sat behind a massive desk, his presence dominating the room. He was taller than I had expected when he stood, his broad shoulders filling the space as he crossed the room toward me.

I almost took a step backwards but I refused to let him know that I felt intimidated by him.

“Miss Blake." He said, his voice low and deliberate. He extended a hand.

I shook it, my grip firm even though my nerves screamed at me to run. His palm was rough, his grip tight—a man who wasn’t used to softness.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice.” He gestured for me to sit.

“Of course.” I replied, my voice steady despite the knot forming in my stomach.

I sat down, careful to keep my posture straight. His piercing gray eyes studied me as if he were trying to peel back the layers of who I was.

“Do you understand the terms of this position?” He asked.

“I believe so.” I nodded. “Your daughter requires private tutoring due to... unique circumstances.”

His lips curved slightly, not quite a smile. “That’s one way to put it.”

I glanced at the photo on his desk. It showed Luca, a younger Clara, and a woman with kind eyes and soft features. Clara’s mother, I guessed. The photo looked out of place in this room, as if it belonged to a different life.

“She’s been through a lot,” he said, his voice softer now. “I want her to have as normal a childhood as possible. Your job is to make sure she gets that.”

Something in his tone made my chest tighten. Beneath the layers of authority and menace, there was vulnerability, a father’s desperation to protect his child.

“I’ll do my best.” I promised, meaning it.

Before he could respond, the sound of light footsteps echoed down the hall. A moment later, a little girl with dark curls and big, curious eyes burst into the room.

“Papa!” She exclaimed, running straight to him.

The change in Luca was startling. The cold, calculating man who had interrogated me moments ago softened instantly. His eyes lit up as he scooped her into his arms, holding her close like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“Clara,” he said warmly. “I want you to meet someone.”

Clara turned to me, her head tilted in curiosity. She was beautiful, with her father’s sharp features softened by innocence.

“Hi." She said shyly.

“Hi, Clara.” I replied with a smile. “I’m Sophia. I’ll be your teacher from now on.”

Her eyes flicked to Luca, seeking his approval. He nodded, and she turned back to me.

“Do you like books?” She asked.

“I love books.” I smiled gently. “What’s your favorite?”

Her face lit up. “I like Alice in Wonderland! Do you know it?”

“Of course! Maybe we can read it together sometime?” I offered her and I watched her smile grow.

Her shyness melted away. She whispered something in his ear that made him chuckle and ruffle her hair before setting her down.

“She’s already warmed up to you.” Luca said, his tone lighter.

“She’s a sweet girl.” I replied.

He nodded, but his expression turned serious again. “She is. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

The weight of his words settled over me like a blanket of iron. This was more than a job. I wasn’t just stepping into a family—I was stepping into a world where danger lurked around every corner, where Clara’s safety was more fragile than I had realized.

That night, after Clara had gone to bed and I had been shown to my quarters, I stood on the balcony, staring out at the city skyline. The rain had stopped, leaving the air sharp and cold.

Luca Moretti was a man of contradictions. Dangerous and commanding, yet fiercely devoted to his daughter. Intimidating, but undeniably captivating.

I had taken this job to escape my own troubles, to find a sense of purpose again. But as I stood there, the enormity of what I had walked into began to sink in.

This was no ordinary family.

And Luca Moretti was no ordinary man.