2. The Offer

SOPHIA'S POV

The morning light filtered through the curtains of my quarters, painting the room in hues of gold. The Moretti estate was deceptively peaceful at this hour, the quiet almost lulling me into a sense of normalcy. Almost.

I sipped the coffee that had been left outside my door, grateful for its warmth. The events of the night before replayed in my mind: Clara’s bright smile, her shy curiosity, and Luca’s unflinching, intense gaze. I couldn’t decide which had unnerved me more—the quiet joy of meeting Clara or the weight of Luca’s unspoken warning.

I had come here to teach, not to entangle myself in whatever dangerous world the Morettis inhabited. And yet, sitting here now, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had stepped into something far more complicated than I had realized.

A sharp knock at the door startled me.

“Miss Blake?”

It was Marco, Luca’s right-hand man. His voice was as steady and unyielding as his presence.

“Yes?” I called, setting my coffee down and standing.

“Mr. Moretti requests your presence in the study.”

The study. Again. My stomach tightened. I couldn’t imagine what he needed from me now, but refusing was obviously not an option.

“I’ll be right there.” I said, smoothing my blouse and pulling my hair into a low ponytail.

When I entered the study, Luca was standing by the window, his back to me. He didn’t turn when I entered, but I knew he had heard me come in.

“You wanted to see me?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.

He finally turned, his gray eyes locking onto mine. “Sit." He said, gesturing to the same chair I had occupied the night before.

I complied, folding my hands neatly in my lap. Luca didn’t sit. Instead, he remained by the window, his posture rigid, as though the tension in his body had no release.

“How do you like the estate so far?” He asked, his tone casual but his expression anything but that.

“It’s beautiful.” I replied honestly. “And Clara seems wonderful.”

He nodded, his gaze momentarily softening at the mention of his daughter. “She likes you. That’s important.”

I waited, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying.

“You’ve heard the rumors about me.” He said after a moment, his voice low but unyielding.

I froze. This was not where I thought this conversation was going.

“I... I’ve heard things,yes.” I admitted cautiously. “But they don’t affect how I do my job.”

His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “A diplomatic answer. Smart.”

He moved to his desk and leaned against it, crossing his arms. “I don’t expect you to fully understand the life I lead, but I need you to know one thing: Clara’s safety is my priority. Everything I do, every decision I make, is to protect her.”

“I understand.” I said softly, though I wasn’t sure I fully did.

He studied me for a long moment, and I fought the urge to squirm under his gaze.

“There’s a situation.” He said finally, his voice dropping. “A threat.”

My pulse quickened, though I tried to keep my face neutral. “What kind of threat?”

“One that puts Clara at risk." He said simply, as though that explanation was enough.

“Does this... threat have anything to do with me?” I asked carefully.

“No.” He said, shaking his head. “Not yet.”

Not yet. The words hung heavy in the air.

“I have a proposal.” He said, his voice hardening with resolve.

“A proposal?” I repeated, my brow furrowing.

He straightened, his full height towering over me. “I need to ensure Clara’s safety, and to do that, I need to stabilize certain... perceptions of my personal life.”

I blinked, completely at a loss. “I don’t understand.”

“I want you to marry me." He said, his words cutting through the room like a blade.

My mouth fell open. Of all the things I thought he might say, that wasn’t even close to making the list. “You... what?”

“It’s a contract.” He clarified, his tone businesslike. “Nothing more.”

I stared at him, waiting for some sign that this was a joke. There wasn’t one. He was deadly serious.

“Why?” I finally managed to ask.

“Because it will send a message.” He said, pacing now. “To my enemies, to my allies. That Clara has a stable, protected home. That I’m untouchable.”

“But I don’t understand what I have to do with any of that.” I said, my voice rising slightly.

“You’re already here,” he said simply. “You’ve made a good impression on Clara. You’re not tied to my world, which makes you appear... innocent. Perfect for the role.”

“The role?” I repeated, my tone sharp. “You’re talking about a marriage like it’s a business arrangement.”

“It is a business arrangement.” He said, his voice cold. “For both of us.”

I shook my head, disbelief washing over me. “I came here to teach your daughter, not to get caught up in... whatever this is. We met just yesterday and you're asking this of me today?”

“You will still teach her.” He said. “That wouldn’t change. But in exchange, you’d have my protection. Financial security. A future free of worry.”

I stood, my hands clenched at my sides. “And what about my freedom? My life? This isn’t some fairy tale, Mr. Moretti. You can’t just sweep me into your world and expect me to go along with it. This is all too new, too sudden.”

His jaw tightened, but his expression remained calm. “I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment. The arrangement would last as long as it’s necessary. Once the threat is neutralized, we part ways. No strings attached.”

“And if I say no?” I asked, my voice trembling.

He hesitated, and for the first time, I saw something flicker in his eyes—something like regret.

“Then I’ll find another way.” He said finally. “But it will be riskier for everyone. Including Clara.”

The mention of her name was like a punch to the gut. Clara, with her bright smile and curious eyes, was completely unaware of the danger that surrounded her.

Luca must have seen the hesitation on my face because he stepped closer, his voice softening. “I know it’s a lot to ask. But I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was the best way to protect her.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding. This man—this dangerous, complicated man—was offering me a way into his life, into his world. But at what cost?

“I need time to think." I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

“You have until tomorrow." He said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As I left the study, my mind raced with questions I didn’t have answers to. What would saying yes mean for me? For my future? And why did the thought of being tied to Luca Moretti—even temporarily—make my heart race for reasons I couldn’t fully understand?