Chapter 15 - The Aftermath
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The bullet struck the massive crystal chandelier above them, sending a terrifying rain of sharp glass cascading down onto the dance floor.
Before Sabine could fire a second shot, the two federal agents tackled her to the ground, violently wrestling the weapon from her grip. She shrieked like a feral animal, thrashing wildly as they slammed handcuffs onto her wrists.
"Get off me! I’ll kill her! I’ll kill her!" Sabine screamed as she was dragged out of the ballroom.
Rafe remained covering Billy on the floor, ignoring the shards of glass raining down on his back. His heavy, protective weight anchored her amidst the chaos.
"Billy," Rafe gasped, pushing himself up slightly on his elbows, his hands frantically checking her face and neck. "Are you hit? Talk to me."
"I’m okay," Billy breathed, her hands shaking as she touched his face. "I’m fine, Rafe. You protected me."
Rafe let out a shuddering breath, resting his forehead against hers, the terrifying realization of how close he had come to losing her washing over him. The cold, untouchable mafia boss was entirely stripped away, leaving a man desperately clinging to the woman he loved.
He stood up slowly, pulling Billy to her feet, shielding her from the panicked guests and rushing security teams.
He didn't look at the chaos. He looked directly into her eyes.
Right there, amidst the broken glass, spilled champagne, and screaming elite of Boston, Rafe Santangelo dropped to one knee on the ruined marble floor.
The entire room went completely, devastatingly silent.
"I claimed you as my fiancée to protect you from the law," Rafe said, his voice loud enough for every single terrified guest to hear. "But I am asking you to be my wife to protect my soul. I don't want to rule this city without you, Billy. Will you marry me?"
Tears of pure, overwhelming joy spilled over Billy’s lashes. The invisible maid, the grieving sister, the woman who had fought in the shadows for four years, was being offered a crown by the most powerful man in the city.
"Yes," Billy choked out, laughing through her tears. "Yes, Rafe. I will marry you."
He slipped a massive, flawless diamond ring onto her finger, standing up and pulling her into a desperate, passionate kiss. The crowd, recovering from their shock, erupted into genuine, thunderous applause.
They had survived the fire, the betrayal, and the ghosts of their pasts.
But as Rafe held her tightly against his chest, his dark eyes locking onto the shattered chandelier above, he knew the truth of their world. The war for the city was never truly over.
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There would always be another monster waiting in the dark.
But this time, they would face it together.
