Chapter 6 - The Only Thing Money Couldn't Buy
Two weeks later, the autumn sun broke through the heavy silver clouds over Manhattan, bathing the top floor of Duca Tower in brilliant, golden warmth.
The private elevator chimed softly.
The polished steel doors slid open between the twenty-third and twenty-second floors, jolting gently to a stop as Luca pressed the emergency override button.
Clare stood inside the glass cabin, holding a thin leather folder containing the morning’s financial reports. She wore a tailored burgundy suit, her dark hair pinned up, her skin glowing with fresh health and vitality. Her wrist was smooth, the ugly red marks completely gone.
Luca turned toward her, resting his hand against the mirrored wall.
"You jammed the elevator again, Luca," Clare noted, a small, playing smile touching her lips. "I have seven department heads waiting in the conference room."
"Let them wait," Luca said smoothly. "I sign their paychecks."
Clare chuckled, stepping closer to him, the professional distance that had separated them for four years officially dissolved.
Over the past fortnight, Evan Mercer had been sentenced to twelve years in federal prison for financial fraud. The Duca Holdings Hudson Yards project had broken ground smoothly. And every evening, Luca had personally driven Clare home, taking her to quiet dinners in Little Italy, showing her a side of himself that no board member or mafia rival had ever seen—gentle, fiercely loyal, and deeply in love.
Luca reached out, his long, powerful fingers gently catching her hand. He lifted it slowly, pressing his lips to the back of her wrist, right where the bruises had been two weeks ago.
"How is the wrist?" Luca murmured against her skin.
"It feels perfect," Clare whispered, her heart swelling with an overwhelming warmth. "Thanks to my personal security detail."
Luca looked into her eyes, his grey gaze burning with an absolute, unshakeable devotion.
"Four years ago, Clare," Luca said softly, "I built this tower because I thought power was the ultimate goal. I thought if I controlled enough land and enough money, no one could ever hurt me or the people I cared about."
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He opened it, revealing a magnificent, flawless emerald ring surrounded by delicate diamond baguettes—simple, timeless, and profound.
"And then two weeks ago," Luca continued, his voice thick with emotion, "I watched you take off a ring in this very elevator. And I realized that all the power in the world was worthless if I couldn't give you a home where you felt safe, respected, and loved."
Clare’s breath caught in her throat, tears of pure joy glistening in her eyes. "Luca..."
"I don't want to be just your boss, Clare," Luca whispered, sliding the velvet box closer to her. "I want to be the man who stands between you and the storm for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?"
Clare didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around his broad neck, pulling him down into a passionate, fiery kiss that echoed through the quiet space of the suspended elevator cabin.
Luca caught her securely in his arms, holding her tight against his heart, lifting her slightly off her feet as he returned the kiss with all the burning hunger and devotion he had suppressed for four long years.
When they finally pulled back, breathless and smiling, Clare rested her forehead against his chest.
"Yes," Clare whispered softly. "Yes, Luca. A thousand times yes."
Luca smiled—a rare, breathtaking smile that transformed his sharp features into pure light. He slid the emerald ring onto her finger, fitting perfectly.
May you like
He reached over and pulled the emergency stop button back out.
The elevator hummed back to life, descending smoothly toward the executive suites, bringing them down from the clouds and into a bright, beautiful new dawn—together, forever.
