Chapter 1: The Unexpected Encounter

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.”

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