Chapter 7 - THE MAFIA BOSS WHO LOST CONTROL
Declan Moretti had built his reputation on control.
He controlled businesses.
Negotiations.
Dangerous men.
And, for years, the people around him.
But Kalantha was different.
She didn't want his money.
Didn't want his power.
Didn't want his protection unless she had chosen it.
One evening, Leo found Declan standing alone on the terrace.
“You look miserable.”
Declan didn't answer.
Leo smiled faintly.
“It's her.”
Declan looked at him.
“Don't.”
Leo laughed.
“Of course it is.”
Declan stared toward the city.
“She had coffee with Akira Gordon.”
Leo nodded.
“I heard.”
Declan's jaw tightened.
Leo studied him.
“You're jealous.”
“Yes.”
“Then do something.”
Declan looked at him.
“What?”
Leo shrugged.
“Ask her out.”
Declan stared.
Leo laughed.
“Not order her. Ask.”
Declan looked away.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then whispered:
“What if she says no?”
Leo smiled.
“Then you accept it.”
Declan laughed softly.
A strange sound.
The most feared man in New York was afraid of a woman saying no.
Not because she could hurt him physically.
But because she mattered.
That night, Declan called Kalantha.
“Hello?”
He swallowed.
“Would you like to have dinner with me?”
She went quiet.
“Dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Declan took a breath.
“Because I'd like to spend time with you.”
A pause.
Then Kalantha asked:
“Not as your responsibility?”
“No.”
“Not as part of my father's debt?”
“No.”
“Not because you think I belong to you?”
Declan closed his eyes.
“No.”
Silence.
Then she said:
“Okay.”
Declan froze.
“Okay?”
She laughed softly.
“Yes, Declan.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
May you like
For the first time in years, Declan Moretti had asked for something he couldn't command.
And someone had chosen to give it to him.
