Chapter 6 - The Spark in the Dark
The kiss tasted of rain, danger, and a deep, buried hunger that swept through Sarah’s entire body like wildfire.
She wrapped her arms around Julian’s neck, her fingers twisting into his thick dark hair, pulling him closer as she kissed him back with equal passion. For two years, she had been a survivor—a woman fighting alone in the dark. But in Julian’s powerful embrace, she felt protected, desired, and deeply cherished.
When Julian finally pulled back, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together in the quiet kitchen.
“I shouldn't have done that,” Julian whispered, his thumb gently tracing her lower lip. “You are under my roof. You are under my protection.”
“Don't apologize,” Sarah murmured softly, looking into his dark eyes. “I didn't want you to stop.”
Julian took her hand, leading her out of the kitchen and into the quiet nursery.
Baby Leo was sleeping peacefully in his ivory crib, undisturbed by the drama outside.
Julian stood over the crib, looking down at his son. In the soft glow of the nightlight, the terrifying Capo dei Capi looked remarkably human—and deeply burdened.
“He isn't my biological son,” Julian said quietly.
Sarah looked up at him in surprise.
Julian stared out the arched window toward the dark waters of Lake Michigan.
“My younger sister, Isabella, was eighteen when she met a boy from the Falcone syndicate,” Julian explained, his voice laced with old pain. “It was a secret romance. When she got pregnant, the boy abandoned her. She died during childbirth nine months ago due to complications.”
He turned back to Sarah, his eyes filled with absolute love for the baby.
“On her deathbed, I swore an oath to Isabella,” Julian continued. “I took Leo. I put my name on his birth certificate. I raised him as my own heir to protect him from the Falcone family, who would have used him as a pawn or destroyed him to wipe out Isabella’s claim.”
Sarah felt tears prick her eyes. She stepped up beside Julian, wrapping her hand around his arm, leaning her head against his shoulder.
“You’re a good man, Julian Moretti,” she whispered. “No matter what the streets say about you.”
Julian looked down at her, resting his cheek against her hair. “I am not a good man, Sarah. I have done terrible things to build this empire and keep my family alive. But when I look at you... when I see how you love Leo and Lily... I want to be the man you see in me.”
“Then be him,” Sarah said softly, looking up into his eyes. “Stay with us.”
May you like
Julian bent his head down, kissing her softly on the lips—a sweet, quiet promise made in the dark of the nursery.
“Vincent Falcone will answer for targeting this house,” Julian vowed softly, his eyes darkening with dangerous intent. “And when the dust settles, Sarah... I am never letting you go.”
