The Mafia Boss’s Dog Chose the Plus-Size Woman Everyone Ignored—Then Refused to Leave Her Side

"We go on the offensive," Luca declared two hours later in his private war room.

The room was lined with monitors displaying live feeds of the harbor, city streets, and intelligence dossiers. Marco sat at the table alongside three other senior lieutenants, all looking at Ruby, who sat at the head of the table opposite Luca—with Caesar lying across her lap like a massive, living fur coat.

"How?" Marco asked skeptically. "The FBI already has a warrant drafted. Don Valenti’s son, Matteo, is personally feeding information to the SAC in Baltimore."

"The FBI thinks Ruby is a victim being held against her will," Luca said, a slow, dangerous smile spreading across his lips. "What happens to their legal warrant if the 'victim' walks into the press room at City Hall, completely unharmed, and holds a live news conference?"

The room went dead silent.

"A news conference?" Ruby asked, her voice squeaking slightly. "Me? On television?"

"You tell the truth—mostly," Luca explained, leaning over the glass table toward her. "You state that your clinic was attacked by armed men belonging to the Valenti family. You state that I—a local philanthropist and business partner—saved your life and provided you with security. You shift the public focus entirely onto Valenti’s aggression."

"And why would the press believe a small-town animal rehabber over a mob boss's allegations?" Marco challenged.

Luca looked down at Caesar. "Because she won't be alone. She’ll have Caesar with her. The dog who was supposedly 'stolen' by me, sitting calmly at her side, wearing a service vest. The public loves a hero dog story. If Matteo Valenti tries to claim you're a monster, we make Ruby and Caesar the face of the Marchetti empire."

Ruby stared at Luca. It was brilliant, terrifying, and insanely risky. "And if Valenti sends shooters to City Hall?"

"Then my men will kill them on live television," Luca said simply. "I will be standing five feet behind you, Ruby. No one will hurt you. I give you my word as a Marchetti."

Ruby looked into his eyes. There was no deceit there. Luca Marchetti was a dangerous, lethal man, but she realized with absolute certainty that his word was ironclad.

"Okay," Ruby said, straightening her posture, feeling a strange surge of courage. "I'll do it. But on one condition."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "You're negotiating?"

"Always," Ruby said. "When this is over, you fund a brand-new, state-of-the-art animal sanctuary in the city. Five million dollars. Fully equipped. Signed over to my name."

Marco looked like he was about to faint. "Five million?! For dogs?!"

Luca looked at Ruby. The sheer audacity of this plus-sized, fearless woman standing up to his empire and demanding ransom for stray animals delighted him endlessly.

"Ten million," Luca countered smoothly. "And I get to name the main wing."