Chapter 6 - The Unlikely Guardian
Up in the private suite on the third floor, the atmosphere was entirely transformed.
The heavy, oppressive silence of the Duca fortress had been replaced by the soft, soothing sound of splashing water and gentle giggles echoing from the master bathroom.
Ranata sat on the edge of the oversized plush sofa, wiping happy tears from her cheeks as Anna bustled around the room carrying a silver tray laden with hot chocolate, buttered toast cut into fun triangle shapes, and fresh strawberries.
"I can't believe this," Ranata whispered, looking at Anna in sheer disbelief. "When the boss grabbed me in the hallway, I thought for sure we were heading for the gates. Or worse."
Anna paused, setting a plate of warm toast down on the marble coffee table. Her stern expression softened into a motherly smile. "Mr. Lorenzo is a hard man, Ranata. The world made him that way. But he’s not a cruel man. He remembers what it’s like to lose a family in this house. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt your little girl."
Just as Anna spoke, the bathroom door swung open.
Maya stepped out wearing an oversized, impossibly soft white cotton bathrobe that swallowed her up completely, the sleeves rolled up four times so her tiny hands could peek out. Her brown curls were damp and fluffy, smelling faintly of lavender and baby soap.
She took two steps into the room, spotted the plate of hot chocolate and strawberries, and her eyes lit up like Christmas morning.
"Toast!" she squealed, forgetting her shyness entirely as she scrambled onto the sofa.
Ranata rushed forward, catching her in a tight, desperate embrace, burying her face in Maya’s damp curls. "Oh, my sweet baby... my brave little girl..."
At that moment, the heavy mahogany door clicked open, and Lorenzo walked in. He had removed his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his dress shirt, looking less like a syndicate overlord and more like an exhausted father returning home from a long shift.
Pino trotted in right beside him, immediately lying down across the rug near the sofa, resting his chin on his paws right next to Maya’s dangling feet.
Maya paused mid-bite of her strawberry, looking up from the sofa with a bright, fearless smile.
"Big Man!" she greeted cheerfully, crumbs dusting her chin.
Ranata gasped, quickly pulling Maya down into a respectful bow. "Mr. Duca! I... I don't know how to thank you. For everything. My job, clearing my name, and... and for protecting her."
Lorenzo walked over, holding out a clean white linen napkin, which he gently handed down to her to wipe the chocolate from Maya’s chin.
"You don't need to thank me, Ranata," Lorenzo said quietly. "You earned your place in this house. Both of you."
He turned to look down at Maya, who was staring up at him with those massive, trusting brown eyes.
"You finish your toast, Maya," Lorenzo instructed softly. "Because tomorrow morning, we have a very important mission."
May you like
Maya tilted her head, her curls bouncing. "What mission?"
Lorenzo’s lips curved into the faint ghost of a smile. "Teaching your mother’s former boss how to pack a suitcase."
