Lucrezia tossed and turned endlessly in her bed, unable to find sleep as she couldn't stop thinking about what Maverick had said.
He hadn't even bothered to hide or filter his words.
'It had to be done.'
It rang in her ears like a bell. Her father, who had sheltered him and made him what he was today, was the one he had betrayed, and now he claimed it had to be done.
For what reasons exactly?
The Maverick she'd known back then was an obedient and loyal servant of her father. Aside from that, she'd spent years with him to know what sort of person he was, and right now, it made no sense why someone her father had cared for so deeply would repay him by stabbing him in the back.
She never knew him to be selfish or a usurper. Surely, there had to be a different reason for what he did and she needed to find out.
But how? She didn't know.
Morning came so quickly with her endless thoughts and Lucrezia knew she hadn't got enough sleep for the day's activities.
Her frustration was evident as she stood up begrudgingly with the other servants, preparing to begin the day's tasks, when suddenly, the chief maid stepped into the large room with a bang, startling the others as they all turned to her.
She looked around before stopping at Lucrezia whose heart skipped a beat, wondering what the problem was now.
Sizing the girl up, the woman said, "Come with me." Her words were final as she walked away the next second and Lucrezia didn't have time to think or understand before she rushed along, following the woman.
The whole thing was strange as the woman led her through the corridors and into a different wing before stopping at a door.
She paused at the doorway, her gaze lingering on Lucrezia for a second too long, assessing the girl with narrowed eyes perhaps even comparing—before she pushed the door open.
The hinges moved soundlessly, revealing a large bedroom drenched in fine silk.
The curtains cascaded from ceiling to floor and there were crystal light fixtures reflected softly against panels, scattering light across the walls.
This was calculated and intentional luxury.
Lucrezia stepped inside slowly, allowing the room's appearance sink in and for a fleeting moment, the air felt familiar.
This—this was what her bedroom back home had looked like. The same detailing and expensive taste are stitched into every curtain and piece of furniture. Her father had spared no cost when it came to crafting spaces for her.
A sharp wave of nostalgia tightened her chest.
Back then, it felt good and safe to be in such comfort and luxury. It felt like a promise that she was protected, valued and untouchable.
But now—
Even as she stood in a bedroom more extravagant than the one she had grown up in, she felt nothing.
No awe.
No intrigue.
No sense of belonging.
The chandeliers glittered and the satin sheets shimmered through the lights yet all she felt was emptiness.
This mansion was like a gilded cage—designed to seduce the eye and beautiful enough to distract but it was still a cage.
The realisation settled painfully in her chest.
She would never find happiness in this place.
Not like this.
"This is your room from now on," the chief maid announced suddenly.
She watched Lucrezia closely, as though studying a riddle she had yet to solve as she stepped back slightly to let the girl get a better view.
Lucrezia blinked.
Once.
Twice.
As if her mind needed time to process the words.
"My… room?" she repeated faintly, disbelief threading through her tone.
Just hours ago, she had been scrubbing floors and changing dirty sheets for the Don, cleaning the large house and now...
The inconsistency unsettled her as she subconsciously stepped back from the room, creasing her brows at the woman.
"I don't understand," she shook her head.
"What is there to understand?" the chief maid replied bluntly.
"Why—" Lucrezia faltered, struggling to put shape to the confusion. "Why would I be given this?"
The woman's expression shifted—subtle but guarded.
"Because it was ordered."
"By who?"
Lucrrzia swallowed when the woman suddenly sent her a chilling stare, holding her gaze for a long second.
It wasn't like she didn't already know the answer. Still, hearing it felt like stepping onto unstable ground.
"By the Don."
Her pulse thudded in her ears as silence followed the woman's reply.
This made no sense.
If Maverick had bought her and meant to reduce her to a mere servant, why suddenly elevate her now?
Hadn't his point been to humiliate her?
"You will no longer report to the cleaning staff," the chief maid continued. "Your duties have changed."
"My duties?" Lucrezia echoed cautiously, her heart skipping a beat.
"You will remain in this wing unless summoned by the boss. Meals will be brought to you and you'll have people to attend to you." The woman spoke, narrowing her eyes at her.
"You are also not to wander freely without instruction."
The last words landed quietly.
Lucrezia slowly widened her eyes as if realisation just hit her.
Was he perhaps turning her into his...
The chief maid immediately walked out and closed the door, startling Lucrezia.
This was not freedom. It was more like containment, like a softer cage.
Maverick had no right to make decisions for her!
Just as she was about to walk out of the room, she heard heavy footsteps echo down the corridor, one that gave a suffocating aura as the person came closer.
She opened the door and saw the chief maid hadn't gone far as she stepped aside instinctively for the person.
Lucrezia's breath stilled as Maverick appeared at the entrance.
He was dressed immaculately, composed and clearly unaffected by the turmoil he had stirred inside her yesterday.
His gaze swept the room once before settling on her.
"Leave," he dismissed the elderly woman who quickly curtsied before scurrying away.
"You don't like it?" he asked evenly.
Lucrezia forced herself not to glare at him as he entered the room, inviting himself inside.
"How dare you–" Her voice trembled, but not from weakness.
From restraint.
"How dare you think you can move me around like furniture?"
Maverick didn't seem surprised by her reaction. Stepping fully into the room, he closed the door behind him with quiet precision.
"I didn't move you," he said calmly. "I reassigned you."
She let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh like she was hallucinating.
Had he moved her from scrubbing floors to suddenly living in an extravagant room?
"Yes." Her eyes widened when he replied to her as if understanding her thoughts.
"I don't want your kindness." Her voice was firm this time as she tried to walk out of the room but before she could move an inch, Maverick grabbed her arm, pulling her close.
She tried to struggle and push him away but his grip was too firm.
When she realised how futile her efforts were, she looked up and glared at him "What were you expecting? You thought I would be impressed?"
"It wasn't meant to impress you." His expression didn't crack as he moved even closer, cutting any distance between them.
What did it mean to do then? She had the urge to ask but then he held her chin, making her look him in the eye as he spoke.
The air between them tightened.
"You'll stay here, Lucrezia," he deadpanned like her defiance wasn't up for discussion.
"It is to protect you," his breath fanned her, sending her body into turmoil.
Protect her?
"I have many enemies who want you for themselves." He said, his lips just inches away from hers.
Even though Maverick knew no enemies of his could infiltrate his mansion, he still wanted to take precautions.
Malviero was a cunning and selfish man who was ready to burn Montoverra down to get whatever he wanted. If he somehow managed to think he could get close enough to Lucrezia, it would be a disaster and Maverick be damned if he let the monster come anywhere close to her.
"What do you care if any of your enemies had me to themselves?!" Lucrezia snapped when she noticed he was a bit distracted, pulling herself back.
"You are all the same! It wouldn't make any difference if–"
Maverick's eye shone with something dangerous and the next second, Lucrezia found herself on the bed.