Chapter 20 - The Weekend Father

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Six months later, the Chicago spring was in full bloom.

I stood on the front porch of my suburban home, holding a cup of hot coffee, watching the black SUV pull into the driveway. It wasn't a fleet this time. Just one car.

Dominic stepped out. He was dressed in a simple dark sweater and jeans—a stark contrast to the tailored suits he wore during the week when he ruled the city's underworld. He looked tired, but the darkness that used to heavily shroud him had significantly lightened.

The front door burst open behind me.

"Dad!" Elise and Clare shrieked in unison, sprinting down the concrete walkway.

Dominic dropped to one knee right in the driveway, catching both girls in his massive arms, burying his face in their hair with a booming laugh that still felt incredibly surreal to hear.

Henry walked out next, clutching a complicated wooden puzzle box. He marched up to Dominic and shoved it into his chest. "I can't figure out the latch. You try."

"We'll figure it out together," Dominic promised, ruffling Henry's hair before looking up at the porch.

Noah was standing beside me, his hands in his pockets, watching his father carefully. The oldest boy was still cautious, still analyzing the massive, powerful man who had suddenly entered their lives. Dominic respected the distance, offering Noah a small, respectful nod, which Noah slowly returned.

Dominic walked up the steps to the porch, stopping beside me. He didn't try to kiss me. He respected the boundaries I had drawn in iron. But the way he looked at me—with absolute, burning reverence—proved that the ruthless mafia king was still entirely at my mercy.

"I booked a private tour of the aquarium for them today," Dominic said softly, his arm brushing mine. "Just us. No press. No business."

"They'll love that," I smiled, taking a sip of my coffee.

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The iron gates of the Gallow estate remained open, but I no longer needed to walk through them. I had brought the most dangerous man in Chicago to my front porch, and I was holding the only key to his salvation.

(Open Ending)