783 He woke with his hand around a housekeeper and his pistol inches away—and instead of calling security, Victor made a choice that changed her future.

Tessa left the Romano estate that afternoon.

She moved into a small, bright one-bedroom apartment in the quiet outskirts of the city. She paid six months of rent in advance, bought fresh groceries, and enrolled in a local nursing program. For two weeks, her life felt like a dream. No harsh fluorescent lights, no ammonia fumes, no terror.

Except, every night when she closed her eyes, she didn't dream of freedom. She dreamed of the quiet study, the smell of bourbon and expensive cologne, and the heavy, protective warmth of Victor Romano’s arm wrapped around her waist.

On a rainy Tuesday evening, Tessa returned to her apartment carrying a bag of groceries.

As she unlocked her front door, a shadow moved in the dark hallway behind her.

Before she could scream, a heavy hand slammed over her mouth, dragging her inside her own apartment. The door slammed shut.

Tessa thrashed wildy, dropping her grocery bag. Oranges rolled across the hardwood floor.

"Shut up, girl!" a harsh, raspy voice growled in her ear.

She was shoved violently onto her small sofa. Standing over her were three men in dark leather jackets. Standing in the center was a sharp-faced man with cold grey eyes—Salvatore Moretti, the leader of the rival syndicate that had ambushed Victor two weeks prior.

"Look at you," Moretti sneered, looking around her modest apartment. "Victor Romano’s new soft spot. We spent two weeks figuring out why he let a debt-maid walk out of his fortress with fifty grand."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Tessa choked out, clutching her bruised wrist. "I was just a housekeeper! He paid me off and let me go!"

Moretti chuckled, a dry, evil sound. He pulled a silver pocket knife from his coat and flicked the blade open.

"Victor Romano doesn't let anyone go, sweetie," Moretti said, leaning down until his blade brushed the soft skin beneath her jaw. "My men watched him last night. He sat in his car down on your street for three hours just watching your light stay on. The man is obsessed with you."

Tessa’s heart stopped. Victor had been watching over her?

"Now," Moretti smiled, his yellow teeth glinting in the dim apartment light. "You're going to help me finish what I started in the West Wing. You're going to call Victor. You're going to tell him you're sick, or scared, or missing him. And when he comes through that door alone... my boys will put a bullet through his head."

Tessa stared at Moretti. Fear tore through her veins, but beneath the fear, an unexpected flame of anger ignited.

"No," Tessa said, her voice steady and clear.

Moretti’s smile vanished. "What did you say?"

"I said no," Tessa spat, glaring at the mobster. "Kill me if you want. I will never lure him into a trap."