Chapter 4 - Luciano Confronts Chloe In The Grand Kitchen
Back at the Costa estate, the massive commercial kitchen smelled richly of freshly ground espresso beans and baked brioche.
Luciano walked in wearing an unbuttoned charcoal vest, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms scarred from past turf wars.
Chloe stood by the marble island, aggressively whisking pancake batter while muttering complaints under her breath.
“Good morning, Chloe,” Luciano said quietly, leaning against the doorway with a subtle hint of amusement in his dark eyes.
“Good morning, Don Costa, or should I call you my legal spouse in front of the toaster?” she fired back sharply.
Luciano stepped closer, the sheer physical presence of the mafia boss commanding the entire space without a single raised voice.
“The title served its tactical purpose during yesterday’s meeting, but I apologize for the domestic complications it created,” he offered.
“Complications? Half the criminal underworld thinks I’m the queenpin of Port Meridian because you panicked!” Chloe argued.
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A rare, genuine smile touched the corner of Luciano’s mouth, softening the hard lines of his striking facial features.
“You handled Bellini with remarkable composure; few people can make a hardened don back down with a glare,” he noted.
