“I came to check on my cousin,” Luca said, turning his gaze to me.

His eyes narrowed, sharp and calculating.

“But if we are talking about intruders, why is the maid still standing here?” Luca asked.

He took a swift step toward me.

Before I could move away, his fingers clamped around my wrist like an iron band.

His grip was cold, pressing hard against my skin.

“She was in the room when the lights went out,” Luca said, dragging me toward the doorway.

“Luca, let her go,” Sofia demanded, her voice rising.

“She has been hovering around Alexander all night,” Luca ignored her, his grip tightening. “She’s going down to the carriage house. My men will find out who she is really working for.”

I pulled back, my shoes sliding on the damp hardwood, but he was too strong.

“Stop right there, Luca,” Marcus said.

He did not raise his voice, but the sudden sharpness in his tone made Luca freeze.

Marcus stepped forward, placing his hand directly on Luca’s forearm.

“Under the Romano family charter, section four, no member of the household staff is to be removed during a crisis,” Marcus said.