The Devil’s Identity

Lussi rushed back home, her mind spinning with the events of last night. She couldn't believe how her birthday celebration had turned into such a life-changing event. As she entered her family's estate, her mother was waiting in the grand hall.

"Where have you been, young lady? We were worried sick!" Her mother's voice echoed through the marble halls.

"I'm sorry, Mother. The party went late, and I stayed at Alia's," Lussi lied, her heart pounding. She hurried to her room before her mother could question her further.

Once alone, Lussi collapsed onto her bed, pulling out the phone number she'd saved. No name, just digits. She stared at them, wondering about the mysterious man who'd helped her.

Meanwhile, across town in a luxurious penthouse office, Leonardo "Leo" Valentini, the notorious boss of the Valentini crime family, was reviewing the file his assistant Nick had compiled about Lussi.

"Lussi Cambridge, age 20. Daughter of Duke Cambridge. Currently studying Art History at the Royal University. No previous relationships, maintains a small circle of friends. The family's reputation is impeccable," Nick reported.

Leo leaned back in his leather chair, a small smile playing on his lips. "A duke's daughter," he mused. "Interesting."

His phone buzzed - an unknown number.

"Hello?" Lussi's soft voice came through. "It's... it's me from this morning."

"The brave little lady who demanded responsibility," Leo replied, amusement evident in his voice.

"I... I realized I don't even know your name."

"Why don't we discuss that over dinner? Tonight at 8. I'll send a car."

Before Lussi could protest, a text message arrived with the address of an exclusive restaurant.

That evening, Lussi found herself in front of her mirror, nervously smoothing her emerald green dress. A sleek black car waited outside her family's estate. The driver opened the door, revealing Leo in an impeccable black suit.

"You look beautiful," he said simply.

The restaurant was empty except for them. Lussi's eyes widened. "Did you...?"

"Reserve the entire place? Yes. I prefer privacy."

Over dinner, Leo watched as Lussi's nervousness gradually melted away. She spoke animatedly about her art studies, her dreams of opening a gallery someday.

"You still haven't told me your name," she reminded him.

"Leonardo Valentini," he said, studying her reaction carefully.

Lussi's fork clattered against her plate. Everyone knew that name - the young mafia boss who'd taken control of the underground empire at just twenty-five. The Devil of the Underground, they called him.

"You're... you're him?" she whispered.

"Does that frighten you?" His dark eyes held hers.

Lussi should have been terrified. Instead, she remembered how gently he'd helped her, how he'd protected her when she was in trouble.

"No," she said firmly. "You're not what they say you are."

Leo's expression softened imperceptibly. This girl was either incredibly brave or naively foolish. Perhaps both.

"You should be scared," he warned softly. "I'm not a good man, Lussi."

"Good men don't always make the best protectors," she replied, surprising them both with her wisdom.

As they finished dinner, Leo noticed Lussi shiver slightly. Without a word, he removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The gesture was so natural, so protective, it made her heart skip.

"I should take you home," he said, but his eyes said he didn't want the evening to end.

Outside, under the starlit sky, Lussi turned to face him. "Thank you for dinner, Leonardo."

"Leo," he corrected. "Only you can call me that."

As the car drove away with Lussi inside, Leo's phone rang. It was Nick.

"Boss, we have a situation. That girl from the party, Milan - she's planning something against Miss Cambridge."

Leo's expression darkened. "Handle it. No one touches what's mine."

He looked at the city lights, thinking of Lussi's smile. The Devil of the Underground had found something worth protecting, and heaven help anyone who tried to harm her.

The next morning, Lussi woke up hugging Leo's jacket that she forgot to return. His cologne still lingered on it, making her smile. As she got ready for university, her phone buzzed with a message.

"Good morning, little one. Have a good day at class."

- Leo

Her heart fluttered at his thoughtfulness. She quickly typed back:

"I still have your jacket!"

"Keep it. It looks better on you anyway."

At university, Lussi couldn't focus on her lectures. Her mind kept drifting to Leo's dark eyes and gentle smile. Who would have thought the scary mafia boss could be so sweet?

During lunch break, a delivery man approached her with a huge bouquet of red roses.

"Miss Cambridge?" he asked.

The card read: "Missing your smile. - L"

Alia, who was sitting next to her, squealed. "Oh my god! Who sent these?"

"Just... someone I met," Lussi blushed.

"Spill the details! Now!" Alia demanded.

Before Lussi could answer, another delivery arrived - this time a box of fancy chocolates.

Meanwhile, Milan watched from across the cafeteria, her face twisted with anger. Her plan to humiliate Lussi had backfired terribly. She didn't know that Lussi had met Leo that night, but seeing her happy made Milan's blood boil.

After classes, Lussi found a familiar black car waiting outside. The driver opened the door, revealing Leo himself.

"Get in, princess. I'm kidnapping you for ice cream."

Lussi giggled. "The mighty mafia boss likes ice cream?"

"Only with good company," he winked.

They drove to a cute little ice cream parlor. Leo ordered strawberry for her without asking - he'd already remembered her favorite flavor from their dinner conversation.

"How did you know?" she asked, surprised.

"I pay attention to everything about you," he said softly.

As they sat in a cozy corner, Leo noticed some ice cream on her cheek. Instead of telling her, he leaned forward and gently wiped it with his thumb. Lussi's heart nearly stopped.

"You're dangerous," she whispered.

"Why's that?" he asked, amused.

"Because you make me forget who you are. You make me forget to be careful."

Leo's eyes turned serious. "With you, I'm just Leo. Not the devil, not the boss. Just a man who can't stop thinking about a beautiful girl."

Suddenly, his phone rang. His expression changed instantly as he answered it.

"What?" he barked. After listening for a moment, his face darkened. "I'll handle it."

Turning to Lussi, his eyes softened again. "I'm sorry, but I need to go. Business."

"Dangerous business?" she asked worriedly.

He touched her cheek gently. "Don't worry about me, little one. But tomorrow... would you like to come to my place for dinner? I'll cook for you."

Lussi's eyes widened. "You cook?"

"There's a lot you don't know about me yet," he smiled mysteriously. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes," she said without hesitation.

As they stood to leave, Leo pulled her close suddenly, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Stay safe until tomorrow. I'll send a car."

What Lussi didn't know was that Leo was heading straight to a meeting about Milan. His men had discovered her plot to drug Lussi at the party, and Leo's blood boiled at the thought.

"Boss," Nick reported, "Should we teach her a lesson?"

"No," Leo said, surprising everyone. Usually, he was merciless with enemies. "Just make sure she never comes near Lussi again. I don't want to upset Lussi with violence."

His men exchanged knowing looks. The boss was changing, becoming softer, all because of one innocent girl.

Back home, Lussi hugged Leo's jacket again, excited about tomorrow. As she was about to sleep, her phone buzzed one last time:

"Dream sweet dreams, my little one. Tomorrow can't come soon enough. - L"

Lussi fell asleep with a smile, not knowing that across town, the feared Devil of the Underground was sitting in his office, looking at her picture and thinking how one pure-hearted girl had managed to tame the devil himself.

What neither of them knew was that tomorrow's dinner would bring unexpected guests and revelations that would test their budding romance in ways they never imagined...

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