He pinned her to the bed, fury radiating off him in controlled waves. His eyes were dark—dangerously so—and his jaw was clenched so tight a muscle ticked visibly.
"Do you want to find out," he asked coldly, "what happens when you fall into another Don's hands?"
His hand slid to her thigh, fingers grazing the fabric of her dress before pushing the hem higher—not roughly, but deliberately, almost like a demonstration.
Lucrezia's breath hitched and her eyes widened in disbelief and fear as she shoved against his chest. "No—"
He caught her wrists easily and pressed them into the mattress, holding her in place.
"You think I'm cruel?" he demanded, lowering his face closer to hers. "You think this is torment?"
He could still hear Malviero's words clearly ringing in his ears as he stared at her.
His grip tightened—not enough to bruise her but enough to immobilise her.
"You have no idea what men like Malviero would do to you if they for any reason, got their hands on you," he continued, voice dropping. "They wouldn't hesitate. They wouldn't pause. They wouldn't even care about your tears or your pride or your past."
Lucrezia felt her heart skip at the mention of Malviero, and for a brief moment, she swallowed, knowing he was not lying about one thing.
She could still remember the horror on her face the day at the auction when she had almost been sold to the old man. Even though she hadn't seen Maverick's face after he had bidded that outrageous money on her, she couldn't deny the bit of relief she felt, knowing she wasn't going to be bought by someone like the crooked man.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly beneath him as she held his gaze.
Then let me go, she wanted to retort but even she knew how stupid that would be. This was undeniably the safest place for her as much as she hated to admit it.
The only thing she was yet to come to terms with was the hurt and betrayal in her heart, knowing it was Maverick who had killed her father.
"I want space." She said when his breath fanned her and she could feel his lips almost grazing hers.
Something shifted in his expression.
It wasn't softness. It was like a conflict warring within him.
He released her wrists abruptly and pushed himself off her, stepping back as though the contact burned him.
Running a hand through his hair, he paced back and forth before stopping at the foot of the bed.
"We'll make an appearance three days from now at the black market," Maverick finally informed her.
Actually, that was his main reason for coming here. He'd wanted her to know beforehand.
"What-" Lucrezia's face paled until Maverick continued,
"El-Romano is arriving in country C," He let her know.
"I'm sure you know what that means," he said calmly.
Too calmly.
On the surface, Maverick looked composed and expressionless but deep down, he was slowly losing it. Lucrezia had begun to recognise the signs of exasperation he usually kept intact.
There was slight tightening at the corner of his mouth, knowing exactly what El-Romano was coming to Montoverra for.
El-Romano.
The name echoed in Lucrezia's mind like a warning bell.
She knew him.
Everyone in the underworld did.
A Greek legend. Not a Don—no, he was far above that. Dons ruled territories. El-Romano regulated their empires. Every major deal in Country C never moved without his approval. Even Montoverra operated under him.
If El-Romano was setting foot here, it only meant one thing.
Lucrezia's gaze lingered on Maverick. His face revealed nothing, but she could feel the tension radiating from him like heat before a storm.
El-Romano was here for the Ledger.
Her father's Ledger.
It was only the rule that when a Don overthrew a former kingpin, he had to seize his Ledger.
The Ledger was a secret book that mapped out hidden routes, offshore accounts, coded alliances, bribed officials, blood debts—years of leverage distilled into ink and paper.
The very document that could end the Mafia if it got into the wrong hands. Maverick had not truly outmanoeuvred Don Santiano and seized control if he didn't have the Ledger.
Without it, it was almost as if his usurpation was nothing. The kingpinship hadn't been established if he wasn't holding the most dangerous weapon of the former kingpin and now, El-Romano was here to confirm that.
Lucrezia cleared her throat at this, not knowing what to think of his situation.
"Okay." Her reply was curt. He likely intended to let El-Romano know he still had something belonging to Don Santiano in his grip.
The thought of having to go back to the black market haunted her but she was aware there was no choice at this point.
To anyone right now, she should feel good, knowing that her father's ledger didn't get to him which simply meant his new position as kingpin was not secured yet but somehow, Lucrezia felt unsettled about it.
It was strange.
Maverick left the room the next minute, not uttering any other word to her.
He was clearly not in the right state of mind, considering how serious he'd seemed since yesterday and Lucrezia felt this was related to the 'supposed' meeting he had with Don Malviero.
What had the viper possibly said?
Though, she didn't know, she was sure it had everything to do with her.
The underworld would unravel the moment her father's name was mentioned.
Don Santiano had not merely been powerful—he had been disruptive. He had rewritten routes, cut men out of deals they believed were their inherited rights, exposed alliances and buried secrets deep enough to destroy different Dons and empires. Even in death, he was an open wound.
She was the last piece of him still breathing and she was his blood. Blood usually meant memory and unfinished business.
If anyone wanted to strike against the late man's legacy, they would come for her.
"Miss?" Someone's voice pulled her attention and she whipped her head in the direction of the door.
"I was sent to get you a new set of clothes," she said, carrying a bounty of dresses and nightwears on her hand.
Lucrezia looked at the clothes before turning to the girl and nodding, nudging her to come in.
It was the same young girl from earlier who had helped her get a new uniform. The girl walked in and with trained precision, walked to the wardrobe and began arranging the clothes one by one.
Lucrezia watched her quietly but curiously as she did her job, not meddling or glancing at her like the other older women did whenever they had the chance to.
Now she was genuinely eager to know who this lady was and why she was the only young person allowed to serve as a maidservant in this mansion, besides her.
Just when the girl was done, she turned around and curtsied, "You may call me if you need anything, ma'am," she started to head towards the door, only for Lucrezia to block her path, forcing her to stop and narrow her eyes.
She cleared her throat as it worked, bobbing up and down in slight nervousness about what to say.
Even though she knew her status had been elevated, they were both still wearing the same uniform right now and it made it appear like they were on par.
"W-what is your name?" Lucrezia summoned the courage to ask the girl. At least, that was the most normal thing one could answer and wouldn't take offence at.
If this lady was going to be serving her, it was only right that she knew her name.
The girl paused for a moment as if contemplating what to say before she shook her head, "I... cannot tell you my name. I am only here on order."