Chapter 14 - The Fall of the Viper
The celebrations lasted well into the evening, but as night fell, Dominic and I
took a quiet walk along the illuminated paths of Central Park.
Vincent followed fifty yards behind, discreet, respectful, and keeping watch out
of habit rather than fear.
The spring air smelled of blooming cherry blossoms and fresh rain.
I looked at the emerald-cut diamond sparkling beneath the antique lampposts.
“What will people say?” I asked playfully.
“The most feared man in New York marrying the waitress who exposed his
household?”
“Let them talk,” Dominic said, pulling me close to his side.
“They already know who truly holds the power in this city.”
We stopped near the edge of the Bethesda Fountain.
The water danced under the moonlight, clear, peaceful, and untainted.
I thought about my father.
I thought about his gentle smile, his old leather workboots, and his dream of
honest ships sailing out of New York harbor.
For the first time in ten years, his memory brought me warmth instead of cold
agony.
The ledger was closed.
The debt was paid in full.
The viper had fallen, and out of the ashes, something clean and honorable had
taken root.
Dominic leaned down, his lips brushing softly against mine.
The kiss was sweet, deep, and tasted of a future without shadows.
“Ready to go home, Elena?” he murmured against my cheek.
May you like
“Yes,” I whispered, resting my head against his broad shoulder.
“Let’s go home.”
