Valentina's POV

I couldn't sleep—Luca's proposal echoing in my mind. As the first rays of sunshine crept through my bedroom window, I gave up on rest and headed to the kitchen of my apartment.

While drinking a cup of coffee, I stared at the pile of bills on my counter. The clinic's financial struggles were getting worse, and Luca's offer was becoming more tempting by the minute.

But could I justify working for a man like him, no matter how noble my intentions?

My phone buzzed, startling me. It was a text from my best friend and fellow doctor, Brianna: "Turn on the news. Now."

Heart racing, I fumbled for the remote. The TV came to life, and my breath caught in my throat.

The headline said in all bold letters: "Mob War Erupts in Chicago - Multiple Casualties Reported."

The reporter's voice was grim. "In what appears to be a violent power struggle within the city's underworld, at least a dozen people were killed last night in a series of coordinated attacks. Sources say the violence may be linked to the recent hospitalization of notorious crime boss Luca Moretti."

I felt the blood drain from my face. This was because of him because I saved him.

My phone rang – the hospital. "Dr. Rossi, we need you here immediately. It's chaos in the ER."

"I'm on my way," I said, already moving.

The scene at St. Mary's was worse than I'd imagined. Gunshot victims, bystanders caught in the crossfire, terrified family members. For hours, I worked tirelessly, my hands steady even as my heart ached for each life lost, each family torn apart.

As the flood of patients finally began to slow down, I found myself outside Luca's room.

I shouldn't go in. I should walk away, forget his offer, forget him. But I couldn't.

I pushed open the door, anger, and exhaustion fighting within me. Luca was sitting up, looking far too put together for a man whose actions had just torn the city apart.

"Did you know?" I demanded, my voice low and intense. "Did you order this?"

His eyes met mine, and momentarily, I saw a flicker of... regret. Shame? But it was gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

"Valentina," he said softly. "You look exhausted. Sit down, please."

"Don't avoid the question, Luca," I snapped, but I sank into the chair beside his bed, my legs suddenly too weak to hold me.

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I didn't order it. But yes, I knew it was coming. The Colombo family saw my injury as an opportunity. I had to show them, and everyone else, that I'm still in control."

"At what cost?" I whispered, thinking of the multiple bodies I'd tried to save. "How many innocent people have to die for your 'control'?"

Luca reached out, his hand hovering over mine before he thought better of it. "This is the world I live in, Valentina. It's ugly and violent, and I won't pretend otherwise. But with you by my side, maybe I could change things. Make them better."

I looked at him, really looked at him. Despite everything, I saw a man haunted by his choices, longing for something more. And God helped me; I wanted to be the one to help him find it.

"I'll do it," I heard myself say. "I'll be your doctor. But on one condition – you let me set up a free clinic in your territory. No questions asked, no strings attached. Just a safe place for people to get help."

Luca's eyes widened in surprise, then softened with something that looked dangerously like admiration. "Done," he said without hesitation. "Whatever you need, it's yours."

As I left his room, my heart raced with fear and excitement. I was stepping into the lion's den, but maybe, just maybe, I could tame the lion.

Luca's POV

I watched Valentina leave, her words still ringing in my ears. She'd agreed to my offer but on her terms. I couldn't help but smile. This woman never ceased to amaze me.

The smile faded as I thought about the night's events. The violence had been necessary – a show of strength to keep my enemies at bay. But seeing the pain in Valentina's eyes, the way she looked at me... it cut more profound than any bullet ever could.

Marco slipped into the room, his face grim. "It's done, boss. The Colombos got the message. But there's talk of retaliation."

I nodded, my mind already racing with plans. "Double the security on all our holdings. And get me out of this damn hospital. I need to be seen."

As Marco left to make arrangements, I stared out the window at the city below. Chicago had been my kingdom for so long, built on blood and fear. But now, for the first time, I was starting to see it through Valentina's eyes – the suffering, the innocents caught in the crossfire.

Could I change? Could I be the man Valentina seemed to think I could be?

The door opened again, and I tensed, expecting another report from Marco. Instead, I found myself face to face with Detective James Connors, the cop who had been trying to bring me down for years.

"Well, well, well," Connors drawled, a humorless smile on his face. "Luca Moretti laid up in a hospital bed. Christmas came early this year."

I kept my face expressionless, even as my mind raced.

How had he gotten past my men? "Detective Connors. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He tossed a file onto my bed—crime scene photos from last night's events. "Cut the crap, Moretti. We both know you're behind this. And I'm going to prove it."

I panned through the photos, my stomach churning at the sight of the bodies. Valentina's words echoed in my mind.

How many innocent people have to die?

"You've got nothing, Connors," I said, my voice steady. "And we both know it."

The detective leaned in close, his eyes hard. "I'm going to take you down, Moretti. And when I do, I will enjoy watching that pretty doctor of yours realize what a monster she's been protecting."

Something snapped inside me. In an instant, I had Connors by the throat, pain from my wounds forgotten in a surge of rage. "You stay away from her," I growled. "Or I'll show you what a real monster looks like."

Connors wrenched free, gasping. "Threatening a police officer? Not smart, Moretti. But then again, getting involved with Dr. Rossi wasn't smart either. I wonder how she'd react if she knew about your wife. About what happened to Maria."

I froze, ice flooding my veins. "Get out," I whispered, my voice deadly calm. "Now."

As Connors left, victory gleaming in his eyes, I sank back onto the bed. My past, the darkest parts of me that I'd tried to bury, was threatening to surface. And if Valentina ever found out the truth...

I closed my eyes, feeling the walls closing in. I'd started this game thinking I could have it all – my empire, my redemption, and Valentina. Now, I wasn't sure I could keep any of it.

But one thing was sure – I would do whatever it took to keep Valentina safe, even if it meant pushing her away. Even if it meant becoming the monster everyone already thought I was.

As night fell over Chicago, I made my choice. The game had changed, and so had the stakes. And I was determined to win, no matter the cost.