Luca POV
The villa was my manager’s idea.
The private part was mine.
After the press conference, the mansion had become impossible. Reporters remained outside the gates. Helicopters circled twice before security threatened legal action. Every phone in the house rang without stopping.
Riley pretended the noise did not affect her.
I knew better.
She smiled for the children. Answered business messages. Helped Claire with dinner. She even laughed when Max read one of the less intelligent headlines aloud.
But later, I found her standing alone near the kitchen window with her arms wrapped around herself.
That was when I made the final arrangements.
Two nights.
A coastal villa three hours away.
Private security.
No press.
No team meetings.
No children.
The last part had required mo
