Chapter 10 - The Safe Haven
When Dante returned to the mansion, the grand marble hall was peaceful.
He walked into the East Wing and knocked gently on the door of the luxury guest suite. Lucia opened the door. She looked rested, her bruised cheek treated by the doctor, and she was wearing comfortable, expensive clothes instead of her maid uniform.
"He's gone, Lucia," Dante said softly, standing in the doorway. "He will never hurt you or your daughter ever again. The debt is settled."
Lucia covered her mouth, bursting into tears of pure, profound relief. She had spent months living in absolute terror, and this dangerous, powerful man had completely erased her nightmare in a single afternoon.
"Thank you," Lucia sobbed, bowing her head. "I don't know how to repay you, sir."
"You don't owe me anything," Dante replied firmly. "And you aren't going back to scrubbing floors. I need a new House Manager. The pay is triple, and it comes with permanent residency in this suite for you and Sophie. Your daughter will be protected by my men until the day she goes to college."
Suddenly, Sophie peeked out from behind her mother's legs. She was still holding her stuffed rabbit, looking up at the towering boss.
She didn't point her finger this time. She ran forward and wrapped her tiny arms around Dante’s leg in a tight, innocent hug.
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Dante smiled, a genuine, warm expression crossing his harsh features. He gently patted the little girl's head, realizing that the tiny child who had demanded an apology had actually given him a chance to do the most honorable thing in his life.
If you had the power to completely destroy your employee's abuser, would you step into enemy territory to do it?
