Chapter 18 - The Aftermath
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The tension in the ballroom evaporated, replaced by the nervous, desperate energy of men trying to appease the clear victor.
Luca stood up, offering his hand to Elena. She took it, her icy mafia queen persona melting slightly as his strong fingers interlaced with hers, grounding her after the massive adrenaline spike.
“Take the trash out,” Luca casually ordered Matteo, gesturing toward the sobbing Harland on the floor.
“With pleasure, Boss,” Matteo grinned, dragging the traitor out of the room to meet his final, watery fate.
The remaining bosses stood, offering stilted, respectful nods to Luca and, noticeably, deep bows of respect to Elena. She had walked into a room full of apex predators and proven that she possessed the exact kind of iron spine required to stand beside a king.
As they walked out to the waiting armored limousine, the cool Atlantic ocean breeze washed over them.
Once they were safely inside the privacy of the partitioned car, Elena finally exhaled, her shoulders slumping as the exhaustion hit her.
“You were magnificent,” Luca murmured, pulling her across the leather seat and onto his lap.
“I was terrified,” she admitted, burying her face in the crook of his neck, breathing in the comforting scent of his expensive cologne and gunpowder. “I thought Russo was going to shoot me.”
“If Russo had even twitched toward his weapon, he would have a bullet between his eyes before he took a breath,” Luca promised, pressing a fierce kiss to her temple. “You saved us today, Elena. You showed them that we are an impenetrable front.”
“We are,” she agreed softly, looking up into his dark, devoted eyes.
“I meant what I said in there,” Luca continued, his voice dropping into a serious, heavy register. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
Elena gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
Luca opened it. Inside sat a massive, flawless, emerald-cut diamond ring that caught the ambient light of the city speeding by outside.
“I do not want you just as my partner, Elena. I want you as my wife. I want to adopt Nora and give her my name. I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you never have to be afraid again. Marry me.”
Tears spilled down Elena’s cheeks. She didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply, passionately, sealing the promise.
May you like
“Yes,” she whispered against his lips. “Yes, Luca.”
He slid the heavy diamond onto her finger. The ruthless mafia boss was finally, entirely complete.
