Chapter 10 - THE GUARDIAN OF THE PENTHOUSE
Elena stared at him in complete, speechless shock. "The master suite...? Mr. Duca, I'm just your housekeeper—"
"You are the mother of that child," Alessandro corrected her, his voice leaving no room for argument. "And as long as she breathes under this roof, you are under my personal protection."
Heavy footsteps echoed from the private elevator corridor as Marco and three heavily armed security guards in black suits rushed into the penthouse, their hands resting on their sidearms.
"Boss!" Marco called out, stopping short as he saw Alessandro Duca standing near the floor-to-ceiling windows, holding an eight-month-old baby in a pink dress against his tailored black suit. "The perimeter is locked down. What's going on? The New York bosses are threatening war over the conference disconnect!"
Alessandro didn't turn around to face his lead enforcer.
He adjusted his hold on little Mia, keeping her safe against his chest, his broad hand supporting her back with practiced, natural care.
"Let them threaten war," Alessandro said, his low baritone echoing off the marble walls with terrifying weight. "Tell New York that the territory agreement is cancelled. Tell them Chicago is closed."
Marco blinked, utterly bewildered by the sudden shift in strategy. "Boss... why? What changed?"
Alessandro turned slowly, his sharp masculine features illuminated by the brilliant sunlight, his dark eyes burning with an unyielding, protective fury that made every guard in the room stand straight.
"Everything changed, Marco," Alessandro declared softly.
May you like
He looked down at Mia, who reached up and grabbed the lapel of his suit once more, giggling happily in the quiet penthouse.
"Order full tactical security for the entire building," Alessandro commanded, turning back to Elena, whose face was filled with a mix of shock, relief, and deep uncertainty. "Starting today, anyone who wants to reach this child has to go through me."
