No Woman Dared Enter the Crime Boss’s Forbidden Room—Until the New Maid Found Him Bleeding Inside, Refused to Become His Property, and Discovered the Man Trying to Save His Empire Might Be the One Who Needed Her Most

One week after the assault on the estate, the sun was shining brightly over the Hudson River.

Declan sat behind his grand desk in the primary office. On the mahogany surface lay a thick leather folder.

Nora stepped into the office, wearing a simple white silk blouse and navy trousers, looking radiant and peaceful.

"You wanted to see me, Don Hayes?" she teased softly, stopping in front of his desk.

Declan stood up. He picked up the leather folder and handed it to her.

Nora opened it. Inside was a legal deed to a beautiful four-story brownstone in downtown Manhattan, a clean bank account balance containing five million dollars, and a signed release contract freeing her from any employment obligation to the Hayes estate.

Nora looked up, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What is this, Declan?"

Declan walked around the desk, stopping inches from her.

"Three weeks ago," Declan said quietly, "you told me you helped me because you chose to. You said you wanted a choice—that you never wanted to be owned by any man."

He took her hands gently in his.

"I promised you that if I took back my empire, you would be free," Declan continued, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "This deed and this account give you total, complete independence. You can buy ten auto shops. You can move to Europe. You never have to scrub another floor or dodge another bullet for as long as you live."

Nora looked down at the deed, then looked up into the dark eyes of the man who had changed her entire world.

She didn't take the folder.

She set it back down on his desk.

"You really don't get it, do you, Declan Hayes?" Nora asked softly, a tiny, beautiful smile tugging at her lips.

Declan blinked. "Get what?"

"I didn't stay because I was trapped," Nora whispered, stepping into his chest, resting her hands over his heart. "I stayed because I fell in love with a stubborn, wounded idiot who needed a maid to teach him how to be human again."

Declan’s breath caught in his throat.

"I don't want freedom from you, Declan," Nora said, her hazel eyes locking onto his with absolute, unshakeable conviction. "I want freedom with you. As your wife. As your Queen."

Declan stared at her for two long seconds before a joyous, triumphant laugh burst from his chest.

He lifted her high into his arms, spinning her around the grand office, his mouth covering hers in a deep, passionate, soul-binding kiss that echoed through the sunlit room.