The Don leaned back in his chair, watching Nico like a hawk. "You've proved yourself to be King, son," he said with a rare nod of approval. "Now onto the next step."
Nico's jaw tightened slightly. He didn't respond. Just waited.
The Don went on, voice slow and heavy like this was a deal being sealed. "I have a best friend's daughter. Her name is Raven."
Nico's brow raised slightly. The name didn't ring a bell, and he didn't like where this was going.
"I'm planning your wedding soon," the Don added casually, as though he were talking about dinner plans. "What is a King without a Queen?"
Nico's smirk dropped.
The Don narrowed his eyes, then said it with finality. "And by the way, their family is the leading mafia family after ours. A union like this? Unstoppable."
Nico leaned forward, elbows on his knees, voice low and irritated. "You done?"
The Don didn't flinch. "Not quite. I want you to prove you're man enough by spending the night with her."
Silence.
Nico's knuckles flexed. "So now I'm supposed to sleep with a stranger to prove my crown fits?"
The Don gave a short, dry laugh. "No son… to prove you're a Luciano."
The door creaked open.
Raven walked in —heels clicking, hips swaying, her designer suit bag tossed over her shoulder. Curvy in all the right places, with lips painted in expensive gloss and confidence dripping from every step.
She stopped in front of Nico, her eyes scanning him slowly like he was some new toy to unwrap.
But Nico didn't even blink.
No reaction. No spark. Just a cold stare and a bored breath through his nose.
Raven raised a brow. "You're quieter than I expected."
Nico leaned back in his chair, one arm resting lazily. "And you're exactly what I expected."
She smiled like that was a compliment. "I'm Raven. Heiress to the Latino Clan."
"I know," he said flatly. "The Don made sure to sell your resume before you walked in."
She chuckled softly, brushing her hair off her shoulder. "You don't look excited."
"I'm not."
That shut her up for a second.
She glanced at the Don for support. The Don just waved a hand like this was normal.
Raven's smile faltered, but she still held her chin high. Nico, though, was already turning away, pulling out his phone like the conversation was over.
She was beautiful, sure. But she was the spoiled daughter of the Latino clan—and Nico wasn't the kind of man that bent for pretty things handed to him.
The Don waited until Nico left the room before turning to Raven.
"Listen, Raven," he said, his voice low and serious. "You must do all in your power. That boy is stubborn. Cold. He doesn't bend easy."
Raven smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Leave it to me, Don. I've handled worse. Your heir won't know what hit him. I'll claim him—and the empire that comes with him."
The Don nodded, pleased. "Good. That's what I want to hear."
He snapped his fingers. A maid appeared instantly, hands folded.
"Take her things to Nico's room," he ordered.
The maid bowed her head and took the designer suit bag from Raven.
Raven smiled to herself, watching her bag disappear down the hallway.
"Oh, this is going to be fun," she whispered under her breath.
Back in the room, Kyan was busy straightening the sheets just like Nico ordered. The candle on the nightstand was already lit.
He'd even fluffed the pillows twice—he wanted everything perfect for when Nico came back.
He was humming to himself, folding the last blanket when a knock came at the door.
Kyan blinked. "Uh… come in?"
The door creaked open, and a maid stepped in with a stiff bow. Behind her strutted a woman in heels that clicked like threats against the floor.
She stopped dead in the middle of the room, staring at the candlelight, the fresh bed, and the clean towels Kyan had stacked with too much pride.
Her eyes narrowed. "Seriously?"
Kyan stepped back, confused. "Uh… hello?"
She scoffed. "So this is what he meant by a warm welcome? Candles? Fluffed pillows? Are you the entertainment or just the help?"
Kyan blinked again. "I—I'm the help," he said quickly, lifting his hands. "The bed was for Master Nico, not you! I didn't even know you were—who are you?!"
She gave him a glare that could slice steel. "I'm Raven. And I'm staying here."
Kyan's jaw nearly dropped. "Staying—here? In this room?"
Raven turned to the maid, pointing. "Put my stuff in the closet. And tell Nico I expect something better than a twink with candles next time."
Kyan stared, horrified, clutching the pillow like it was a shield.
"What is happening?" he whispered under his breath, already praying Nico would walk in and fix this mess.
Raven walked around the room like she was inspecting a hotel suite she absolutely hated.
"I don't like this candle. It's too strong."
She flicked her wrist at it like it had personally offended her.
Kyan, already tired, quickly blew it out.
She kept going.
"And that pillow arrangement? Hideous. Fix it. The curtains? Pull them wider. That light? Dim it."
Kyan nodded, silently doing every single thing she ordered, even though she changed her mind halfway through each one.
She turned to him with her arms crossed. "You're slow. Do you always move like this, or is it just around royalty?"
He glanced up at her, biting his tongue.
She smirked. "You do realize I'm Nico Luciano's future wife, right? The Queen of this entire empire. And you…" she looked him up and down, "you're just a servant."
Kyan said nothing.
"So finish up whatever pathetic thing you're doing, and get the hell out of this room. I don't want to see you again unless I call for you."
The door creaked open just as Kyan turned to leave.
And then in walked Nico.
Shirtless. Muscles sharp enough to cut glass. A lazy smirk pulling on his lips like he owned time itself.
His eyes skimmed Raven, then landed right on Kyan.
"Sending him away?" he said, voice low and laced with that dangerous arrogance that made hearts race.
"Tch. You really thought you'd get my bed without the one who made it?"
Raven blinked, mouth slightly open.
Nico stepped further in, eyes not moving from Kyan.
"Next time, wait till I'm done with dessert before trying to rearrange my table."
He didn't even glance at her again. Just pointed to the candlelit room like it was custom-built for seduction.
Then to Raven, flat and cold,
"You can sit. If you know how."
Raven quickly smoothed her face, flipping her hair over her shoulder like she was about to step on a runway.
She walked up to Nico, slow and sway-hipped, voice soft as honey.
"You're tense, baby. I can help you relax..."
Her fingers brushed his bare arm, tracing his tattoo like she owned it.
Nico didn't even flinch.
He just stared down at her like she was noise.
Then, sharp.
"Don't touch me."
She blinked. "What?"
He took a slow step back, towering over her, his voice low but deadly.
"I didn't ask for company. I don't need a queen who can't read a room."
Raven's smile faltered.
He turned to Kyan, still standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed.
"You. Stay."
Then to Raven, eyes cold now.
"You. Get the fuck out of my room."