Chapter 15 - The Trap Springs
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The guards moved swiftly. They grabbed Rockford, Evelyn, and Chloe roughly by the arms, dragging them kicking and screaming out of the grand dining hall. Their protests echoed down the long marble corridors until the heavy front doors slammed shut, cutting them off entirely.
Adelaide stood in the quiet dining room, listening to the rain lashing against the massive windows.
It was over. The family that had tormented her for a decade and a half was gone, stripped of their wealth and their dignity, cast out into the freezing night with absolutely nothing.
She felt a sudden, overwhelming rush of adrenaline, followed immediately by a wave of profound exhaustion. Her knees buckled slightly.
Mateo caught her instantly. His strong arms wrapped around her waist, supporting her weight.
“I’ve got you,” Mateo murmured, pulling her flush against his chest. He waved his hand dismissively at the remaining capos. “The meeting is over. Clear the room.”
The mafia soldiers filed out silently, deeply respectful of the power dynamic they had just witnessed.
When they were completely alone, Mateo picked Adelaide up, carrying her bridal-style out of the dining room and up the grand staircase. She rested her head against his broad shoulder, the scent of his cologne grounding her.
He carried her into the master suite, gently laying her down on the massive plush bed. He didn't try to undress her or push for intimacy. He simply sat on the edge of the mattress, took off her heavy black glasses, and set them on the nightstand.
“You did it,” Mateo said softly, his thumb gently tracing the jagged scar on her cheek, a gesture that had become a profound comfort to her. “You avenged yourself, and you saved my syndicate.”
“We saved it together,” Adelaide whispered, reaching up to cup his face.
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Mateo leaned into her touch. The ruthless, terrifying mafia boss closed his eyes, finding absolute peace in the palm of her hand.
“I thought they were sending me a sacrifice,” Mateo confessed, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn't know they were sending me my salvation.”
