Boston’s most lethal underworld king had made an unbelievable vow: whoever could help his four-year-old son speak again would receive half of his criminal empire—and become his wife.

Julian’s private study was a fortress of dark wood, leather, and cigar smoke. He sat behind a massive desk, his fingers steepled, watching me with calculating intensity.

“Maya Vance,” he said, reading a dossier on his desk. He already knew everything. “Top of your class at Boston University. Three years at Boston Children’s Hospital. Then... a blank spot. A dead child. A mountain of debt. And a dangerous ex-husband who owes fifty-five thousand dollars to Silas Vance’s crew.”

I felt entirely exposed. “You ran a background check on a maid?”

“I run a background check on anyone who breathes the same air as my son,” Julian said coldly. “Silas Vance is a bottom-feeder. But his men will kill you for that debt.”

“I am aware,” I said tightly. “Which is why I need this job.”

Julian leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk. “I made a vow to my syndicate three days ago. Anyone who can make my son speak again gets half my empire. And my hand in marriage.”

I stared at him, utterly stunned. “You can't be serious. That’s insane.”

“I am a desperate man, Maya,” Julian’s voice cracked slightly, revealing the agonizing pain beneath the mob boss exterior. “I have hired the best doctors in the world. They poke and prod him, and he slips further away. But today... today he approached you. He hasn't approached anyone in nine months.”

He stood up, walking around the desk to stand in front of me. “I will pay off your debt to Silas Vance tonight. I will guarantee your safety. You will no longer be a maid. You will be Leo’s sole therapist and caretaker.”

“And if I fail?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Then I am no worse off than I am now,” Julian said softly. “But if you succeed... I am a man of my word. Half my empire. And my name.”

“I don't want your empire, Mr. Thorne,” I said firmly. “And I certainly don't want to marry a mob boss. I just want to survive.”