Marco DeLuca, the youngest-ever boss of the DeLuca crime family, was used to getting what he wanted. He had power, influence, and wealth that most men only dreamed of. He was feared and respected in the underworld, a ruthless businessman who ran a multi-million-dollar empire. People either bowed down to him or feared him, but no one dared defy him.

Which is why when he met her—Amelia Hart—it was the first time Marco realized he might have met someone who didn’t immediately bow to him, and that intrigued him more than he cared to admit.

It all started at one of his rare forays into the "legitimate" world, where his family's business sometimes crossed paths with the upper crust. He had been invited to a charity event—some high-society gala for the city’s elite—and he had attended reluctantly. The last thing he wanted was to mingle with the stuffed-shirt crowd, but he knew appearances were important. So, he did what he had to do, greeted the important people, made a few necessary deals, and then made a beeline for the bar.

That was when he saw her.

She was standing by the balcony, a glass of champagne in her hand, laughing with a few people. The way she held herself was different—unpretentious, graceful, and effortless in a way that made every other woman in the room seem like they were trying too hard.

Her name, he later found out, was Amelia Hart, and she was the one person in the room who seemed completely unfazed by his presence. She wasn’t staring at him, she wasn’t even pretending to admire his suit or his watch. In fact, when he walked up to her, her eyes barely flicked in his direction.

That intrigued him even more.

“Mind if I join you?” Marco asked, leaning against the railing beside her, his voice casual but laced with the authority that he was accustomed to.

Amelia smiled, but it wasn’t the smile of someone trying to impress him. It was more of an amused smile, like she already knew exactly who he was and wasn’t impressed.

“Sure. But I have to warn you,” she said with a raised eyebrow, “I’m not your type. I’m not into expensive suits or men who think the world revolves around them.”

Marco’s eyebrows shot up. Was she mocking him? No one ever dared talk to him like that.

“I think you’ll find I’m a lot more interesting than that,” he said, a mischievous smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

She gave him a playful look, clearly amused by his persistence. “You’re probably right, but that’s not my problem, is it?”

He chuckled, his usual air of arrogance slipping just a little. He hadn’t met anyone like her in years. Most women fawned over him the second he walked into a room.

“You don’t seem to like me very much,” Marco said, leaning in closer. “Don’t worry, I’m a very likable guy once you get to know me.”

Amelia tilted her head slightly, considering him. “Oh, I’m sure you are. You probably have a whole army of people who think you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

Marco’s smile faltered just slightly. “You could say that.”

“Yeah,” she said, “but I don’t think I’d be on that list.” She raised her glass and took a sip, her eyes sparkling with a hint of humor.

Marco was momentarily taken aback. There was something about her—something that made him want to know more, despite her blatant indifference to his status.

“Well, maybe you’ll come around,” he said with a shrug, trying not to show just how intrigued he was.

Amelia smiled knowingly. “I doubt it.”

Over the next few weeks, Marco couldn’t stop thinking about Amelia. Their brief exchange at the gala had left him wanting more. The problem was, he had no idea who she actually was. She wasn’t some actress or socialite looking to climb the ladder. There was something genuine about her, something real, and that made her stand out to Marco in ways no one else did.

So, as any self-respecting mafia boss would do, Marco used his resources to find out everything about her.

What he learned made him do a double-take.

Amelia Hart wasn’t just some regular woman at a gala. She was the CEO of Hart Technologies, one of the most successful tech companies in the country, a multi-billion-dollar empire that had more influence than most governments.

Marco had heard of Hart Technologies, of course. Who hadn’t? They were the future of tech, the innovators who had changed the game with their AI systems and cutting-edge software. But what really shocked him was the fact that Amelia had kept her identity as the CEO completely under wraps. No one knew she was the face behind the empire. She was a ghost in the business world—known only for her achievements, never for her face. And yet, here she was, sipping champagne at a charity gala, laughing like she didn’t have the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Marco had to admit, that piqued his interest even more.

So, he did what any mafia boss would do. He invited her to lunch.

“I have a feeling you’re a woman of substance,” he said, his usual charm evident as he met her for the second time. This time, they weren’t at some fancy event. He’d invited her to a small, private restaurant—something low-key and intimate.

Amelia, of course, was unbothered. “You’re very persistent. I’ll give you that.”

“I don’t take no for an answer,” he said, a little too seriously for her taste.

She smirked. “You’re a dangerous man, Marco. I wonder if you know how dangerous you really are.”

Marco chuckled, savoring the challenge she was presenting. “I know exactly how dangerous I am. The question is, do you know how dangerous you are?”

Amelia raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need to be dangerous. I’m perfectly fine being the silent CEO who calls all the shots behind the scenes.”

Marco leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a lower, more playful register. “And yet, here you are, having lunch with me. I think you secretly like the danger.”

Amelia rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her smile. “Well, maybe you’re right. Maybe I do.”

They spent the next few hours talking, and for the first time, Marco found himself laughing in a way he hadn’t in years. Amelia had a sharp wit and a sense of humor that made their conversations light and easy. She wasn’t trying to impress him or even challenge him the way most people did. She was just… herself. And Marco realized, in that moment, that he liked her for exactly who she was.

Marco DeLuca had built his empire on control, power, and ruthlessness. He was used to manipulating every situation to his advantage, playing the game with calculated precision. But with Amelia Hart, none of the rules applied.

It wasn’t that she was difficult to deal with. No, it was her complete indifference to his usual methods that intrigued him. She wasn’t intimidated by his wealth, his status, or his underworld connections. And that was precisely what made Marco want her more than he had ever wanted anyone in his life.

For weeks, they met casually—lunches, dinners, and walks in the park—but there had been no mention of anything romantic. Amelia wasn’t the type to flirt, nor did she seem interested in playing games. She was refreshingly straightforward, always making him laugh or think in ways no one else ever had.

Tonight was different, though.

Marco had just finished a tense meeting with his family, dealing with a major conflict between his crew and a rival organization. As always, he handled the situation with cold precision, but by the time the meeting was over, he was exhausted. The weight of the world, it seemed, had settled on his shoulders once again.

And that was when Amelia had texted him.

"Meet me on the terrace. I know something’s bothering you."

She had this uncanny ability to see through his hardened exterior. So, after dismissing his bodyguards and retreating to his penthouse, Marco made his way to the terrace, his mind still racing over the events of the day.

He wasn’t prepared for what he found when he stepped outside.

Amelia was standing there, leaning against the railing, her dark hair swaying gently in the breeze. The soft glow of the city lights painted her features, casting an almost ethereal aura around her. She turned when she heard him approach, and the moment their eyes met, something inside him shifted.

“Hey,” she said softly, her lips curving into a smile that made his heart beat a little faster. “You look like you need a drink.”

Marco chuckled, though it wasn’t entirely from humor. “You know me too well.”

Amelia moved toward him, handing him a glass of whiskey. “I think you could use something stronger than that,” she teased.

He took the glass from her with a small grin, savoring the burn as the alcohol slid down his throat. “I think you’re right. A few more of these, and I might forget my own name.”

She laughed—genuinely, without a hint of the usual societal masks that most people wore around him. That was one of the things Marco loved about her. She didn’t act like she needed to impress him. There was no artifice.

“You’re always so serious,” she remarked, studying him intently. “What happened to the Marco who could relax, laugh, have fun?”

The question hit him harder than he expected. He hadn’t been able to let down his guard in years—not since he’d taken over the family business. “I don’t have the luxury of being that Marco anymore,” he muttered, his voice rough.

She was quiet for a moment, watching him as if seeing him for the first time. Then, she moved a little closer, her gaze softening. “That’s a shame.”

Her words lingered in the air like a gentle challenge. Marco felt a pull toward her, one he couldn’t ignore. He’d always been in control, always the one who made the first move, but Amelia—Amelia had a way of making him feel vulnerable in ways he hadn’t experienced before.

“I’m not sure you understand what I do, Amelia,” he said, his tone quieter now, a rare admission of his true burden. “The life I lead… it’s dangerous. And I don’t want to drag you into it.”

Her eyes softened, and for the first time, she placed a hand on his arm, her touch light but firm. “I’m not scared of you, Marco. I’m not scared of your world, either. I think I might actually like it.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You think you can handle the chaos that is my life?”

Her lips curled into a sly smile, and she leaned in a little closer. “You’d be surprised.”

The space between them was shrinking, the air thick with unspoken tension. Marco’s heart was pounding in his chest, and before he could second-guess himself, he closed the distance, capturing her lips in a kiss.

It was slow at first—tentative, as if testing the waters—but then it deepened. Amelia responded with a softness that took him by surprise, her hands finding their way to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Marco felt his entire world tilt as he kissed her with a hunger he hadn’t known he had.

For a moment, the noise of the city faded away. The only thing that mattered was the feel of her against him, the taste of her lips, the way she fit so perfectly in his arms.

When they finally pulled away, both of them breathless, Marco rested his forehead against hers, unable to stop the smile that tugged at his lips. “I didn’t expect that,” he confessed.

Amelia grinned, her fingers tracing the outline of his jaw. “Neither did I. But I’m glad it happened.”

Marco’s heart skipped a beat. In all his life, he had never been at a loss for control. But in that moment, with Amelia standing so close, he felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time—a sense of freedom.

“I think,” he said, his voice low and serious, “you’ve just made my life a lot more interesting.”

Amelia smirked, her hands still resting on his chest. “Just wait until I show you how much more interesting it can get.”

The challenge was there in her eyes again, and Marco knew one thing for certain—this was just the beginning.