I TOOK 7 BULLETS FOR A BILLIONAIRE’S MOTHER: When I Woke From My Coma, The Most Feared Mafia Boss in New York Had Made Me His Wife—And Hidden a Dangerous Secret That Could Destroy Us Both!

Three months later.

The summer sun shone brilliantly over the rolling green lawns of the Rossi estate on the Hudson.

The scars of the battle had been completely erased. The grand gates had been rebuilt, the stone masonry restored, and the fortress had transformed from a military stronghold into a peaceful, sun-drenched sanctuary filled with blooming white roses and the laughter of family.

In the private garden overlooking the river, my mother, Ellen, was sitting on a plush white outdoor lounger, drinking iced tea with Isabella.

Ellen looked radiant. Her cheeks had a healthy, rosy glow, her new heart beating strong and steady. She had no idea about the gunfights, the kidnappings, or the blood that had been spilled; to her, Dominic Rossi was simply the incredibly generous, wealthy real estate magnate who had fallen hopelessly in love with her daughter and saved her life.

"Maya, darling!" Ellen called out, waving to me as I walked down the stone garden steps wearing a light sundress. "Dominic just had another shipment of those wonderful organic teas from Tuscany delivered. He spoils us entirely too much."

"He has a hard time doing anything in moderation, Mom," I laughed, walking over and kissing her cheek.

Isabella smiled up at me, her eyes filled with profound warmth and understanding. She reached out and squeezed my hand—a silent acknowledgment between two women who knew the true cost of the peace we now enjoyed.

A moment later, Dominic walked out onto the stone terrace. He wore a crisp white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up and tailored slacks, looking relaxed, incredibly handsome, and completely at peace. The dark, predatory tension that had once shadowed his features had melted away, replaced by an aura of calm, unshakeable strength.

"Ladies," Dominic greeted them with a respectful nod, before his eyes locked onto mine with that same familiar, intoxicating heat that never failed to make my heart race.

He reached for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine, the heavy gold ring on his finger brushing against the diamond band on mine.

"Walk with me," he murmured.

We strolled down the winding stone path toward the private overlook high above the Hudson River. The breeze was warm, carrying the fresh scent of pine and river water.

Dominic stopped at the edge of the overlook, wrapping his arms around me from behind, pulling my back flush against his broad chest. He rested his chin on my shoulder, his hands resting gently over my stomach.

"Dr. Keller called from Baltimore this morning," Dominic said softly against my ear. "Your mother’s six-month post-transplant biopsy showed zero rejection. Her cardiac function is one hundred percent. She is fully cured, Maya."

A soft, joyful tear escaped my eye, rolling down my cheek. I turned in his arms, wrapping my hands around his neck, looking up into those dark eyes that had become my entire world.

"Thank you, Dominic," I whispered. "For everything. For her life... and for mine."

"You gave me my life the day you stepped in front of those bullets, Maya," Dominic replied, his voice thick with raw, unshakable devotion. "I spent my whole life believing that power was the only thing that mattered in this world. But you taught me that power is meaningless unless you have someone worth fighting for."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

"What is that?" I asked, laughing softly. "Dominic, you already gave me a ring that could buy a small island."

He opened the box. Inside was a simple, delicate gold band engraved with a single phrase in Italian:

“Tu sei il mio cuore.” — You are my heart.

"The first ring was placed on your finger when you were asleep, to protect you from an empire of monsters," Dominic said, his voice dropping into a tender whisper as he slid the gold band onto my finger beside the diamond. "This ring is me asking you, with your eyes wide open and your heart beating next to mine... will you stay my wife forever?"