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Divorced, I married the godfather HD SM
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00:00The night I signed the divorce paper and walked away with nothing, I wandered the rainy streets alone, with a
00:06single duffel bag and only $36.
00:08That was when I spotted a flyer, taped to a roadside pole. Stepmom wanted for child. Room and board, that's
00:15what got me.
00:16That same night, I showed up at the address. I walked straight into the mansion of Luca Castellano, the don
00:22of New York's oldest mafia family.
00:24Later, my ex-husband looked down at me with that same arrogance.
00:27Nora, do you finally realize you were wrong?
00:30Before I could answer, the four-year-old little tyrant exploded.
00:34Wrong about what? My mom is the best!
00:37The don slipped an arm around my shoulders, kicking him aside.
00:40My wife could never be wrong, and even if she was, she'd still be right.
00:44I never expected the people posting flyers on poles to be New York's most powerful mafia family.
00:50Now I stood outside their mansion. Beside me, the butler carried himself with quiet arrogance.
00:55The don is looking for a mother for his child.
00:57Not a wife for himself. I need you to be very clear on that.
01:00Don is a very desirable man. Do not get any ideas you shouldn't.
01:04I kept my eyes lowered. Honestly, this job was perfect for me.
01:08To put it simply, they just needed a high-end nanny.
01:11Eight hours ago, I'd signed the divorce papers and been kicked out of my ex's house.
01:15The last thing I wanted was another husband. But a roof? Three meals? A place to disappear? That was a
01:21miracle.
01:21I understand. I won't get any ideas.
01:24The butler led me down a dim, vaulted corridor. Then I heard something that sounded like a gunshot.
01:30I stumbled, slammed straight into a hot, hard chest. The smell hit me first. Blood. Gunpowder.
01:36Then the barrel of a pistol tipped my chin up. A man in a suit with his hair slicked back.
01:41Blood streaked across his jaw.
01:42A snake tattoo coiling out of his collar onto his throat. My chest rose and fell rapidly with fear.
01:48His gun slid down from my chin and stopped between my soaked breasts.
01:52He studied me for a long beat. Finally, walked off without a word. I'd seen that face before.
01:58Page six. New York Times. The Castellano Don.
02:01Sebastian had once spent a month studying his photos. Trying to get in with the old mafia family
02:06behind him. The butler finally spoke. The Don is handling some business. Please don't mind.
02:12I nodded quietly. Then he took me to change into something dry and led me into the dining room.
02:17A long wooden table sat beneath a crystal chandelier. And at one end, a father and son were locked in
02:23a
02:23standoff. The man with murder in his eyes was gone. In his place, at the table, sat a man in
02:28a white
02:29dress shirt holding a spoon. His face was tired. The boy pressed his lips shut and glared up at his
02:34father like a tiny soldier holding the line. Neither moved. Finally, the man exhaled and set
02:39the spoon down. Long fingers pinched the bridge of his nose. His voice dropped, low and rough.
02:45One bite. One small bite. Is that really too much?
02:49The butler stepped forward. Don. The applicant is here.
02:53The man turned. His shirt was unbuttoned low.
02:55I could see most of the snake tattoo now. The lines of his muscles pressed faintly through the
03:00white linen. The most feared man in New York inherited the family glory at 16. Built it bigger,
03:06darker, quieter than his father had. Money, power, blood on his hands. So this wasn't some dream or
03:12scam. A man like Luca Castellano had no reason to scam a broke divorcee off the street. His eyes
03:19moved over me, distant and tired. Name?
03:21I figured he'd come straight from his so-called business. Handling traitors, torturing some
03:26enemies, and now got defeated by a toddler. Feeding the kid was probably harder than running
03:31his empire.
03:32Nora Bennett.
03:32I said. A barely there nod. He held out the plate.
03:35Try.
03:35So, this was my interview. If I didn't pass, I was sleeping on the F train. I smiled my warmest,
03:42gentlest smile and walked toward the boy. I didn't make it two steps. Whoosh. He bolted
03:47under the table. Only his eyes peeked out. Dark, round, furious.
03:51I don't want her! Send her away! She's a bad lady! They're all bad ladies!
03:56So, before me, this kid had already been through who knows how many stepmoms. Fine. I needed
04:01to do my best. I scanned the room and clocked it instantly. Action figures everywhere. Batman,
04:07Spider-Man, a whole shelf of Avengers. I grabbed two figures off the coffee table and crouched
04:13down by the table leg. I sat Batman and Spider-Man right next to the kid. Then I picked up
04:17the spoon.
04:18Don't worry. I'm not feeding you. I'm feeding Batman.
04:21I mimed a spoonful into Batman's face. Open up, Bats. Heroes who skip dinner? Skinny arms,
04:27skinny legs. Can't protect anyone like that. Oh, Batman wants vegetables? Good call. Spinach
04:33makes you strong. The boy watched, half-hidden, lips parting, smacking his mouth a little. I
04:39pretended not to see. His nose started turning pink, like he was about to cry. Right on cue,
04:44I gasped. Wait, is that a baby Batman over there? Bats, can you share with him? He has to eat
04:50too if he's gonna grow up strong. I tilted Batman. Bats says yes. I turned to the boy.
04:56Batman improved, kiddo. You get a little, but just a little. We don't want you outgrowing him.
05:01He'd be sad. The boy nodded furiously. I didn't even get the spoon to his mouth before he grabbed
05:06it with his lips. A big bite. Why won't you give me vegetables? You scared I'll get stronger than
05:12Batman? Bad lady. I glanced at the couch. Luca Castellano's mouth curved. A small, real smile.
05:19Approving. I moved into the castle that night. There were three floors. I got the second floor
05:24with Leo. Luca had the entire third floor to himself. The butler walked me to my room and
05:28gave me one last warning. You do not go up to the third floor. Ever. His voice dropped. The last
05:34woman who snuck up there to climb into the Don's bed got thrown out of his window. Two-story drive.
05:39I thought of the gun from an hour ago. I nodded so hard I almost gave myself whiplash.
05:43Won't happen. You have my word. Castellano men breed serious. Leo was only four and slept in his
05:49own bed without a fuss. And that made my job easier. I'd just changed into the silk pajamas
05:54from the closet. The knock made me jump. Don Luca's voice was low behind the door. Come down.
05:59Let's talk. Luca was on the couch in the great room. Long legs crossed. Whiskey in his hand. I sat
06:05across from him on the opposite couch. Hands in my lap. Knees together. Like a job interview. You're good
06:10with kids. You have one of your own? No. I helped raise my ex's nephew for two years. Back the...
06:16The crane said I didn't make enough money and ordered me to quit. Called it generosity. Then,
06:20after I did, they claimed I was lazy and had nothing to do. So they fired the nanny and dumped
06:25the kid on me. More free maid than wife. File says you're divorced. Yes. Reason? Some small town girl
06:31cannot stain a noble family name. I guess. Only a coward would say that. You saw the ad. I'm hiring
06:37a
06:37mother for Leo. Not a date for me. My rival's family terrified him when he was little. He's
06:42always been insecure, hates leaving the house, and has never had a single friend. I work long hours.
06:47I need someone with patience. Someone who'll stay. There will be a prenum. Everything stays separate.
06:53Especially in bed. My heart shuddered as I looked deep into his eyes. Marriage in rich people's world
06:59was a contract before it was anything else. My marriage with Sebastian was for love. But because
07:04the gaps between our family, I'd signed one with him too. When the love ran out, I'd walked away
07:10with nothing. Not even my wedding ring. Let alone a powerful mafia family like the Castellanos.
07:16They would only be more careful. I understand. Honestly, if you just need someone in the house,
07:21we don't have to make it legal. I'm fine without the paperwork. Luca shook his head. He leaned forward,
07:27tapping his fingers on the table. Marriage is for Leo. He needs the most stable mother I can give him.
07:32And marriage is the strongest contract there is. All right. We'll do it your way.
07:40Don't worry. You'll get $100,000 a month for expenses. This was the part I cared about.
07:45I've been burned before. Mr. Castellano, if we divorce someday, can I keep the money you've given me?
07:50Of course. It's yours. All right then. As for sex, I don't need anything from you in that area.
07:59You stay on the second floor. Right. The sex. That's fine. Neither do I.
08:05So, three days after I signed divorce papers, I got married again. No ceremony, no guests.
08:12Same as my first wedding. The butler added an extra dish to dinner. I thought that was the
08:16celebration. But suddenly, Luca slid a signet ring across the table. A Castellano family ring.
08:28Sebastian never even gave me his family ring. For Leo's sake. Then I got it. The child needed a
08:34family illusion. I fell into silence and finally took it. I'll keep it safe. That night, I'd just
08:40gotten into bed when the door creaked open. Leo stood in the doorway, bare feet, hair sticking up,
08:46fidgeting with his dinosaur pajamas. What's up, kiddo? Nora, can you read me a bedtime story?
08:54What? You want me to read you a bedtime story? I'll get my dad to pay you extra. If you
08:59don't want to,
09:00forget it. Come here. I held the covers open. He scrambled in like he'd been waiting for that
09:05all day. Halfway through the story, he was out cold against my shoulder. Next morning at breakfast,
09:11Luca's eyes widened when the butler told him Leo had slept in my bed. Nora, that was above and beyond.
09:18I'll add another $50,000 a month. Mr. Castellano, that's way too much. It was, by a lot. I'd given
09:26far more than this in my last marriage and walked away with literally nothing. During the day, I babysat
09:32his nephew. At night, I cooked for my husband. After satisfying his needs in bed, I still had to get
09:39up at five to clean the house and make breakfast. His mother judged. We could hire someone, but Nora's
09:44just sitting around all day wouldn't be fair. Despite all these, the day of the divorce, his
09:50sister told the lawyer I'd been living off them for three years. Mr. Castellano, it's really too much.
09:55I like Leo. He's a sweet kid. Reading him a book is nothing. As I said it, Leo came over
10:01and grabbed
10:02my fingers with his small, warm hand. He was looking up at me with those big, dark grape eyes. He
10:07was
10:08actually moved. You don't know. The women before you only cared about impressing me.
10:14They ignored him. 50,000. That's the new number. Not negotiable. I gave up and thanked him. From that
10:23day on, Leo was my shadow. Luca was busy with all the transactions, the guns, and the bloods. The huge
10:29mansion was usually just the two of us. I tried my best to play with him and made him happy
10:34every day.
10:35Until the day I had a hospital appointment for a follow-up, the butler had warned me. Leo couldn't
10:41leave the house. Outside triggered panic attacks. I crouched down. Hey babe, wait for me at home.
10:48I'll be back in an hour. He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. Didn't say anything. Just looked
10:54at me with those dark, sad eyes. He's scared you're not coming back. His mother left him exactly like
11:02that. I'm coming back. I'll see the doctor and come right home. You play here, okay? I was still
11:07mid-sentence when he climbed into the back seat of the car. The butler tried not to hope. Master Leo,
11:13you're going to the hospital with Miss Bennett? Leo nodded. Thank God. He's finally willing to
11:19leave the house. Your depression's getting better. Just keep it slow. Relax. I took the script and the
11:24meds and left. Leo was waiting in the lobby with his small batman. Nora, are you sick? A little kiddo.
11:35I used to skip meals a lot, so I got sick. Promise me you'll never let yourself get like that.
11:41Does it hurt? If it hurts, I can give you candy. Daddy told me candy makes you forget.
11:48My tears fell without warning. In the crane house, I'd cry and they'd call it dramatic.
11:54Small town girl. Can't handle the lifestyle.
11:59I had depression.
12:02Stop faking it to get attention!
12:04The nephew I'd raised for two years stood next to his mother on divorce day and called me ugly.
12:09And here was this four-year-old mafia heir handing me his last piece of candy.
12:14Nora, I'm going to eat every meal so I can grow up and protect you.
12:25You better grow fast, babe.
12:27When we walked out of the hospital, there was a black Maybach idling at the curb.
12:31Luca was leaning against it.
12:32Mr. Castellano, why are you here?
12:35He scooped his son into his arms. Seeing how calm and composed the boy was, his eyes suddenly reddened.
12:40The butler called, said Leo went out with you. I had to see it.
12:44Dad, as long as I'm with Nora, you can stop worrying.
12:48I know.
12:50That night, he tried to raise my pay again. This time, a black card. I refused so hard, he laughed.
12:59Noia, there must be something you want.
13:01Could you help me find a used car? 5,000 or below, so I can take Leo out without depending
13:07on the driver.
13:10Pick anything from the garage.
13:12The cheapest car in your garage is a quarter million. I wouldn't dare drive it.
13:17Fine.
13:19Next morning, an old, beat-up sedan was parked next to his black Bentley.
13:24He also flew in a psychiatrist. Same diagnosis as the hospital.
13:28But this time, my meds were upgraded to the brand I'd never been able to afford.
13:33Your wife needs company. Family. Don't push her too hard. I'll remember that.
13:39The next day, I drove Leo out with me. He'd always been insecure, had barely seen the outside world.
13:44Now, I wanted to show it to him.
13:46First, the amusement park. He grabbed my hand and dragged me over to take pictures.
13:51Then I took him to the farmer's market. He'd never been to a farmer's market in his life.
13:55Nora! I don't want to hold this!
13:57My hands are full, Leo. Just a few steps.
14:00Fine! One time only! And no more lobster! No!
14:04Nora?
14:05It was Sebastian, my ex-husband.
14:09He was in a crisp gray suit, hair perfect, looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine cover.
14:14It had been five weeks since the divorce. My stomach nodded on contact.
14:19Sebastian and I had met in college. He came from one of those Wall Street elite families,
14:23the golden boy of high finance. He'd ignored every objection from his family to put a ring on me.
14:29At our wedding, he'd promised to protect me for life.
14:31Then he took over Crane Capital and he started finding fault with everything.
14:35He wanted me to quit my job, take care of his parents, take care of his sister's kid,
14:40cook, laundry, cleaning. I did all of it because I loved him.
14:45Because I'd never been loved by my own family and didn't know any better.
14:48Until one day, I caught him in a private club with a girl in his lap.
14:52My whole world shattered.
14:54I cried. I screamed. I begged him to swear it would stop.
14:59The whole Crane family said I was overreacting.
15:02What successful man doesn't have side action?
15:04Sebastian said I'd been spoiled rotten.
15:07He blocked my number. Stopped coming home.
15:10My depression cratered.
15:12I filed for divorce. He thought it was a bluff.
15:15His family told him, don't let her win.
15:17He had his lawyer draft papers.
15:19I walked out with nothing. Signed them in seven seconds.
15:22Four years of dating. Three years of marriage. Done.
15:25Noah, Ivy League degree. And here you are playing nanny?
15:31What were you thinking?
15:33Not your business.
15:34Nora, try to understand. The day you married into the Crane family, you represent the Crane name.
15:42Sebastian, we're divorced. I have nothing to do with your family anymore.
15:48Even divorced, you're my ex-wife. People still bring me up when they talk about you.
15:52Stop embarrassing me. Use your head for once. Stop being emotional all the time.
15:58Nora, a few weeks out here. Bet you miss being Mrs. Crane, don't you?
16:02Admit you were wrong. I'll think about taking you back.
16:04The girls outside the marriage, those were nothing.
16:06I haven't replaced you. The position's still open.
16:08Just swallow your pride. Apologize to my mother and my sister.
16:12Don't bother holding it. Give the seat to someone else, Sebastian. I'm not interested.
16:15On the drive home, a new number called.
16:18Connor, the nephew I'd raised for two years.
16:20I'd block the rest of the Cranes. Not him.
16:23Kids didn't pick their parents.
16:25Hey, Con.
16:26Nora, you divorced loser? My mom wants to talk to you.
16:30My throat closed up. Then Cassandra Crane took the phone.
16:34Nora, Sebastian tells me you're working as a nanny.
16:37Have you ever thought about anyone but yourself?
16:39You're slapping Sebastian's face. You're slapping the Crane name.
16:42What does that look like to people?
16:44Nora, I always said it.
16:46You'll never rise above your roots. Trash dressed in silk.
16:49I hung up. Blocked her. Pulled over.
16:51I crashed onto the steering wheel and bawled.
16:54I cried until I couldn't breathe.
16:55I cried until I was so empty I felt nothing.
16:58Then I sat up. Wiped my face.
17:00Felt the exhaustion settle bone deep.
17:02Nora, here. Tissue.
17:04I'd forgotten Leo was in the back seat.
17:06He was holding a tissue out from his car seat.
17:08Big, sad eyes glued to me.
17:09I'm sorry, sweetheart. Did I scare you?
17:12Nora, I'm not scared. You can cry as long as you want. I'll wait.
17:17Adults crying isn't shameful. I won't laugh.
17:20Thanks, my little gentleman.
17:22Auntie's done. No more crying from now on. Let's go home.
17:24I went to bed early that night. Didn't feel up to dinner. Then a knock.
17:28Nora, can I come in?
17:30Luca. I was fresh out of the shower. Hair wet, robe tied carefully. I made sure nothing was showing.
17:37Come in.
17:38He was in a tight white tank top, making the snake tattoo stand out even more.
17:42Dark hair falling loose over his forehead. Whiskey in his hand. Looser than I'd ever seen him.
17:47He sat in the chair by my bed. His gaze flicked to my wet collarbone.
17:51Then immediately to the wall, like he'd been caught.
17:54The clothes in your closet, you never wear any of them.
17:57They're too nice. I'm not used to it.
18:00I'd learned one thing from the Crane marriage.
18:02Don't force yourself into a world that isn't yours. The fall is uglier when they shove you out.
18:07Are they not your style? I'll have the designer come fit you for new ones.
18:10No, no, Mr. Castellano. I'm in the house all day with Leo. There's nowhere to wear that kind of thing,
18:15truly.
18:17I heard you saw your ex today. His name's Crane? The stupid Crane capital?
18:22I froze. Leo had snitched.
18:24Yes, that Crane. Old news.
18:27Nora, since you came, Leo's been a different child. Thank you.
18:31His eyes were dark and serious on mine. I shifted, uncomfortable.
18:35You pay me very well. It's what I'm here for.
18:38Nora, ask me for anything. I can probably make it happen.
18:42Mr. Castellano, I don't need anything.
18:45He was quiet a long moment. His fingers tightened on his knee, then released. He stood up.
18:51I'll say this again. I'm the Don of the Costetto family. If you want, I can make sure he never
18:58speaks again more by tomorrow.
19:00I took a step back, still not used to him being this close. Without warning, he tucked a strand of
19:04hair behind my ear.
19:06Did I scare you?
19:06I said nothing. His hand slid down from my cheek. He gave a faint smile, then walked out.
19:13For the next two weeks, Luca started coming home early. Dinner with Leo and me. Sometimes board games after. Sometimes
19:20a movie.
19:20A man who ran half of New York's underworld didn't change his schedule for no reason. I was starting to
19:26worry. Was the family in trouble? Not that I cared about him. I just really cared about my $150,000
19:32a month.
19:32Mr. Castellano, you don't have to keep coming home this early. Leo has me. If you've got business, take it.
19:39Luca picked up a red Lego brick. Voice perfectly neutral.
19:42The psychiatrist said you need family. Leo and I are your family now. We have responsibilities.
19:47Since when are we family, I wanted to say. I didn't.
19:51Honestly, Leo's enough. The doctor said my improvement is mostly thanks to him.
19:57He stroked his chin, avoiding eye contact. I grabbed Leo's hand and stood.
20:01Come on, buddy. Story time. Daddy still has work.
20:04Leo and I walked out.
20:06Nora.
20:07Luca's voice, stopping me at the doorway.
20:09Yes?
20:10His ears were faintly pink. He cleared his throat.
20:13Tomorrow night, there's an event. Plus sun's required.
20:18Would you come with me?
20:20Me?
20:27You. I don't have time to find someone else. I'll pay you an appearance fee.
20:31A man with his face couldn't find a date in 24 hours? I didn't think too much. There was money
20:36on the table.
20:37Sure. I don't know the social rules in your world, though. I don't want to embarrass you.
20:43The Cranes were a moneyed family, too. But Sebastian had never taken me to anything because his mother said,
20:49You're good.
20:49The butler chimed in, beaming.
20:51Miss Bennett, you don't need to know the rules. The don is the rules.
20:57Hard to argue with that.
20:58The next afternoon, a design team showed up at the mansion. Five people. Most of them flown in from Paris.
21:05Hair, makeup, dress, jewelry. They huddled and debated each detail for 20 minutes at a stretch. By the time Luca
21:12came home, I was starting to feel sick about how much was on me.
21:16He walked in, saw me. His eyes did something. A brief flash, almost stunned, before he caught himself.
21:24Daddy, look how pretty Nora is.
21:28Call her mom.
21:29Leo turned his head and harumphed. Wouldn't say it. I patted his hair.
21:34It's okay. I like Nora. Makes me feel young.
21:38The event was a charity gala at the plaza. Every major name in New York was there. Old money, bigger
21:44money, political faces. A few faces I recognized from the papers, and a few I knew not to recognize at
21:50all. They orbited Luca immediately. Conversations started landing on me.
21:55Mr. Castellino, who's the beautiful lady?
21:58I jumped in to save him.
22:01I'm a friend of Mr. Castellino's.
22:04My wife, Nora.
22:06The room shifted. A chorus of polite gasps. Compliments raining down. My face went hot to my collarbone. Luca squeezed
22:16my hand. Leaned in.
22:17Nora, is being my wife really that embarrassing? You couldn't say it?
22:22Bourbon and cedar on his breath.
22:25No. No. I just... I didn't want to embarrass you.
22:29His eyes darkened.
22:31He looked at me like he was lighting something on fire.
22:33Only a weak man is embarrassed by his wife.
22:35I had to look away.
22:36I'll grab a drink.
22:37I bolted.
22:39I'd been hiding by the champagne tower for about 90 seconds when...
22:43Nora?
22:47There was no date. Just him.
22:49Had it Luca said plus ones required?
22:52Sebastian's face was pure stunned.
22:54It is you.
22:56I almost didn't recognize you.
23:03I've never seen you look like this.
23:06I stepped back. Stay away from me.
23:08Nora.
23:09About my sister's call.
23:11That wasn't me.
23:12I'd never authorized that.
23:13Truth is, I only agreed to the divorce to teach you a lesson.
23:16Bratty wife.
23:17Needed reminding.
23:18I never actually planned to let you go.
23:21Apologize to my mom and my sister.
23:24We'll remarry.
23:26I'll forget the rest.
23:31Crane?
23:31Capital is bleeding right now.
23:33I'm slammed.
23:34Stop making things hard for me.
23:36He reached for my hand.
23:37The Sebastian special.
23:39One slap.
23:40One kiss.
23:41He'd run me on that loop for three years.
23:44I'm not the Nora he married anymore.
23:46I yanked back.
23:47Sebastian.
23:48Divorced means divorced.
23:50I'd rather sleep under the Brooklyn Pleerage than wear your last name again.
23:53Find someone else for that throne.
23:55Still stubborn.
23:56You haven't suffered enough.
23:58Crawl find me when you've actually been broken.
24:02That's when Luca started walking toward us.
24:04Sebastian's whole posture changed.
24:08Nora.
24:08We'll talk later.
24:10There's a heavyweight I need to corner.
24:11Don't get in the way.
24:13Plastered on his best smile and intercepted Luca with a business card already out.
24:18My Don.
24:19I'm Sebastian Crane.
24:21Crane Capital.
24:22I'd like to talk about the mandate you pulled.
24:26Five years.
24:27Crane at Capital ran the books on every fund Castellino Holdings put on the street.
24:31Then you cut us out overnight.
24:34If we fell short, tell me where.
24:37Whatever you need, I'll make it right.
24:39Sebastian, half bowed.
24:41Luca's eyes went past him, straight to me.
24:44Nora.
24:45What do you think?
24:46Should I give him a second chance?
24:49Sebastian's smile froze.
24:51Nora?
24:52What does she have to do with...
24:53Mr. Castelloni.
24:55You should know.
24:57Nora is my ex-wife.
24:58I don't know how she got in here tonight.
24:59Probably trying to ambush me into wrecking elitiation.
25:02She's just a housewife.
25:03Pay her no mind.
25:05Luca didn't even glance at him.
25:07Nora.
25:08Your call.
25:09I'll follow your lead.
25:13I kept my voice flat.
25:15Mr. Crane just asked me not to interfere in his business conversation.
25:18I'd hate to interfere.
25:20Sebastian flared.
25:21A man's business is none of your concern.
25:24Of course.
25:25Small town instincts.
25:26Luca's voice came in cold and final.
25:28Then I'd assume my wife doesn't approve of Crane Capital.
25:32Mr. Crane.
25:33We'll have to pass.
25:34His arm slid around my shoulders.
25:36He turned us toward the bar.
25:38Sebastian was still standing there.
25:40Brain catching up.
25:41Then a man in a tuxedo brushed past him.
25:44Crane.
25:45You insulted Don's wife?
25:47You stepped on a live mine.
25:50That's the only woman who's ever been on his arm in 20 years.
25:53Castellano's wife?
25:55Impossible.
25:56The woman's a nanny in the Castellano house.
25:58Sebastian had seen Nora at the farmer's market.
26:01Driving the cheap car.
26:02Carrying a lobster for the brat.
26:04He knew what he saw.
26:05A fancy dress didn't make a duchess.
26:08The man shook his head and walked off.
26:10Some idiots won't listen.
26:12Let them die.
26:14That night, Luca bid on a Picasso study
26:17and three pieces of war-era jewelry.
26:20$180 million in collectibles.
26:22Donated to the Children's Hospital under my name.
26:25After that, the gala turned into a receiving line.
26:28Mrs. Castellano, there's a small tea at my place next week.
26:32Would you grace us?
26:34Mrs. Castellano, my husband is bidding on a Castellano project.
26:37Just a quiet word to the Don.
26:39I'd never been on this side of a room.
26:41I drank three glasses to keep my hands steady.
26:43Luca intercepted on the fourth.
26:45Apologies, everyone.
26:46My wife isn't a drinker.
26:48I'll take hers.
26:49He drank.
26:51Then he drank for me three more times.
26:53By the time we slid into his Rolls Royce, we were both lit.
26:57I glanced out the window.
26:59Sebastian was on the curb, watching us.
27:01Mouth curled in that ugly little smirk, like I was the punchline.
27:05I closed the curtain, turned to Luca.
27:07Mr. Castellano, thank you.
27:09For tonight.
27:10For what you did with Sebastian.
27:14His voice came out low, soft around the edges.
27:18Nora.
27:19We're husband and wife.
27:22Stop thanking me.
27:23We're a paper husband and wife.
27:26You didn't have to.
27:27His arm lifted.
27:29Long fingers tilted my chin up.
27:31His thumb brushed slow against my jaw.
27:33Nora, what if I don't want a paper marriage anymore?
27:38He was too close.
27:39His face was carved out of something dangerous.
27:42Eyes blown black.
27:43Heat from his breath landed on my throat.
27:45He smelled like bourbon and that cedar cologne.
27:48And something underneath that was just him.
27:51The most controlled man in New York was looking at my mouth like he wanted it.
27:57Mr. Castellano, you've had too much.
28:04You're right, I'm sorry.
28:06I had too much.
28:07The rest of the ride was silence.
28:08A heavy, humming silence with my pulse loud in my ears.
28:17Leo saved me.
28:18He sprinted at the front door with his picture book.
28:22I scooped him up and ran upstairs before I had to look Luca in the face again.
28:28I tucked Leo in, then opened my laptop and started scrolling job boards.
28:33Sebastian was right about one thing.
28:35My Ivy League degree shouldn't be wasted by eating in a mansion playing house.
28:39I'd done that marriage already.
28:41Stayed home.
28:42Made myself small.
28:43The minute he didn't need me, he tossed me into the street with nothing.
28:47I'd be damned if I let that happen twice.
28:49While Leo needed me, I had a place here.
28:52The day he didn't, what was I?
28:55Though I'm not ready to go back to work yet, physically or mentally.
28:58But knowing the market, updating a resume, that couldn't hurt.
29:03Then my phone lit up.
29:04A text from Luca.
29:08The butler did the coffee.
29:10Always.
29:11And the first rule of this house was don't go to the third floor.
29:15I ground a fresh espresso anyway.
29:17Then I stood at the bottom of the staircase.
29:19Hesitated.
29:20Was this a test?
29:21Did the last applicant get launched out a window after being summoned upstairs?
29:26Was this revenge for the car?
29:27I called him.
29:30Mr. Castellana.
29:31Coffee's here.
29:32Come down for it?
29:34Bring it up.
29:35I hit the record button on my phone.
29:38Caught it.
29:38If he tried anything sketchy, I had proof.
29:42I climbed the stairs.
29:44Knocked.
29:45Come in.
29:46I pushed the door open and forgot how to breathe.
29:52He'd just gotten out of the shower.
29:54Black silk robe loosely tied at the waist.
29:57A drop slid from his jaw, down his throat, into the open robe.
30:01Bathhouse art.
30:03Renaissance painting.
30:04Holy hell.
30:05He took the coffee.
30:07His fingertips dragged across mine on purpose.
30:11That scared of me?
30:12Nora, am I a monster?
30:20Nora, from now on, you can come into my room whenever you want.
30:24My face still burned.
30:26The rules of this house and the rules of my heart were both breaking.
30:30I woke up the next morning with a sore throat.
30:32Sneezing.
30:33Of course.
30:34Wet hair.
30:35Late night.
30:36Fancy dress.
30:37Too much champagne.
30:38I shuffled downstairs in sweats, expecting the empty great room.
30:42Lupa was on the couch.
30:43Black turtleneck.
30:44Wire frame glasses.
30:46The combination should be illegal.
30:48Morning.
30:50He set the paper down.
30:51You're sick.
30:53A little.
30:54The back of his hand landed on my forehead.
30:57Calm.
30:57Practice.
30:58Like he did it every morning.
30:59I went stiff as a board.
31:02Not bad.
31:03I'll grab some Therafex.
31:04You'll be fine.
31:05He guided me to the couch like I was made of glass.
31:07Walked to the kitchen.
31:09A six foot something mafia don.
31:11Stirring a packet of cold medicine into a mug.
31:14Usually, a don would poison the drink instead.
31:17I caught myself wondering what kind of woman Leo's mother had been to deserve a man like
31:22this.
31:31I drank the Theraflu and slunk back to bed.
31:34I didn't want to be in his way, so I just dozed off when an unknown number rang.
31:43Nora, it's me.
31:44Sebastian.
31:45I started to hang up.
31:46Don't.
31:47I'm parked outside the Castellani gate.
31:49Come out or I'll be at the front door.
31:51Up to you.
31:52I did not want him at the door.
31:53I did not want my past laid out on Luca's marble entryway like roadkill.
31:58Sebastian intercepted me on the sidewalk.
32:01Nora, how long is this stunt going on for?
32:04Mrs. Crane working as a nanny?
32:06You don't feel humiliated, but I do.
32:09I'm not doing anything to you, Sebastian.
32:12Stop the act.
32:13You dressed up last night to make me jealous.
32:16Fine.
32:16I'll admit it.
32:18After you left, I missed you a little.
32:20Here's the deal.
32:22Apologize to my mom and my sister.
32:23We remarry.
32:24You can stop scrubbing floors for strangers.
32:29Sebastian.
32:30I didn't do anything wrong.
32:32What am I apologizing for?
32:34You still don't see the problem?
32:38You haven't been beaten down enough.
32:40I was about to fire back when a small, round cannonball blew past me.
32:44Leo, when he saw a strange man hassling me, he did not hesitate.
32:47My mom didn't do anything wrong.
32:49My mom is the best mom in the whole world.
32:53He glared up at him like a furious cherub, protecting me.
32:56Something cracked open in my chest.
32:58I pulled him in tight.
33:00Kid, what did you just call her?
33:02Isn't she your nanny?
33:04You're a nanny.
33:06Your whole family is a nanny.
33:08Nora is my mom.
33:10My best mom.
33:11He pulled back, anxious.
33:13I nodded.
33:14My eyes were wet again.
33:16Nora, you'll be my mom, right?
33:19I'll be so good.
33:21I promise.
33:24Leo, I am your mom's sweetheart.
33:27He squeezed me tighter and refused to let go.
33:29Sebastian's face twisted into a slow, ugly smile.
33:33Oh.
33:33Oh, I see it now.
33:36Nora, you're putting a child up to it.
33:39You're playing the long game on Castelloni.
33:42He grabbed my arm.
33:44Listen, Castorano isn't a man you scam.
33:48He's known for ice in his veins.
33:50He finds out you're using his son to angle for him.
33:53He'll bury you in the East River.
33:54A warm hand landed on my waist.
33:57I hadn't heard him come outside.
33:59Luca.
34:00He pulled me into him.
34:02Mr. Crane.
34:03The last time we spoke, you insulted my wife.
34:06That's why I pulled the mandate.
34:08I was planning to tell the other firms on the street that this was personal.
34:12They could keep doing business with Crane of Capital.
34:14After today, I don't think I need to.
34:17Castellano.
34:19What, you wife?
34:20Who's your wife?
34:21Mr. Crane.
34:23Are you really still confused?
34:25Or are you only capable of believing what you want to believe?
34:29Nora is my wife.
34:30The mother of my son.
34:33Send him off.
34:35Luca turned to the butler at the door.
34:37If anyone like this bothers Mrs. Castellini again, have my men throw him out.
34:41He took Leo with one arm, wrapped the other around me, walked us inside.
34:46The second the door closed, I peeled out of Luca's arm.
34:50Awkward as hell.
34:51I took Leo upstairs to my room.
34:55Leo, where were you all morning?
34:58I didn't see you all day.
35:00Don't even ask.
35:01Dad sent me to preschool.
35:03What?
35:04You preschooler?
35:06He said he didn't want you working too hard.
35:11He said he needed alone time with you.
35:16Why does he need alone time with me?
35:18Dad said he had to make you fall in love with him.
35:21Otherwise, you might leave us.
35:24Leo was four sentences into his report when Luca appeared in the doorway.
35:28Leo.
35:29Downstairs.
35:30Dinner.
35:31Stop bothering your mother.
35:32My whole face hot.
35:34Mom.
35:35I'll be back to keep you company in a bit.
35:38He scampered out.
35:40Luca didn't leave.
35:41He walked in.
35:43Feeling better?
35:44I looked sideways.
35:46Mr. Castellano.
35:47Thank you for what you did.
35:50Please don't ruin a business decision for me.
35:53I'm really not worth it.
35:56Not worth what?
35:59What you did out there.
36:02Nora.
36:02I told you.
36:04You're my wife.
36:05Protecting you is my job.
36:08But-
36:09Stop calling this a paper marriage.
36:11Nora.
36:13I want a real one.
36:14I had not expected him to swing this hard, this fast.
36:18My face went up in flames.
36:20I'll give you time.
36:22Take whatever you need.
36:24But right now, I want to collect just a little husband privilege.
36:27Before I could form a coherent thought, he leaned in.
36:30A long, warm hand cradled my cheek.
36:33Can I?
36:34I didn't say a word.
36:36I'll take this as consent.
36:38Then his lips crashed against mine, hard and ruthless.
36:41His tongue swept into my mouth, stealing the air from my lungs.
36:45Right.
36:46This was how a mafia boss kissed.
36:48Cold.
36:49Merciless.
36:50Taking whatever he wanted.
36:52The kiss lasted so long my mind went blank by the time he finally pulled away.
36:56He rubbed his thumb over my swollen lips.
36:59My little princess, that's enough for today.
37:06Next time, I won't let you off so easily.
37:09Leo got hauled to preschool again the next morning, under protest.
37:14My cold was almost gone.
37:16Luca asked if I wanted to see a movie.
37:18After everything that had happened, I thought about it.
37:20We were married on paper.
37:22If something real was going to grow there, that wasn't the worst outcome.
37:26He had a private media room on the third floor.
37:29It was my first time entering other room in third floor.
37:32Before that, he showed me his collection room.
37:35One entire wall was covered in cold weapons.
37:38Daggers, knives, blades of every kind.
37:41Honestly, it was breathtaking.
37:43I was still standing there staring at the wall when he stepped up behind me and fastened a necklace around
37:48my neck.
37:49Another snake.
37:50Exactly like the tattoo on his body.
37:52A little gift.
37:55Don't reject it.
37:56Then he took my hand and led me into the media room.
37:59He put on a French romance film.
38:01Slow, elegant kisses on the screen.
38:03Mixed with far less elegant sounds in the background.
38:06Luca leaned closer, his voice brushing against my ear.
38:11Nora.
38:13Yes?
38:14I closed my eyes, my fingers tightening around the snake pendant.
38:18Like a girl being offered up as a sacrifice.
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