Chapter 12 - THE NEW HEIRLOOM
The red lights washed over Luca’s face, casting sharp shadows across his jaw.
The Romanos were ruthless. If they wanted the territory, they would burn the mansion to the ground to get it.
"Stay here," Luca told me, his voice pure steel. "Lock the vault from the inside."
"No," I grabbed his arm. "Luca, you just said you wanted to walk away from the violence. If you go out there and fight, it never ends."
"Emma, there are fifty armed men at my gates. I can't negotiate with a gun to my head."
"Then don't negotiate with guns," I said, my mind racing. I looked at the server racks, then at the ledger in my hand.
"Vanessa promised them territory," I said quickly. "But Vanessa didn't own the territory. She was embezzling from it."
Luca frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying the Romanos are businessmen. If you prove to them that Vanessa's accounts are empty—that she was playing them just like she played you—they have no reason to fight for a bankrupt claim."
Luca stared at me, the realization dawning.
"Print the offshore routing numbers," Luca said, rushing to the computer terminal.
Five minutes later, Luca and I walked out of the front doors of the mansion.
Rain had started to fall again.
Standing in the driveway, flanked by heavily armed guards, was Don Romano, a terrifying man in a heavy trench coat.
"Moretti!" Romano shouted over the rain. "Your bride made us a promise. We're here to collect the keys to the city."
Luca didn't pull a weapon. He simply walked forward, holding a thick manila folder, and tossed it onto the hood of Romano's car.
"Look at the routing numbers, Don Romano," Luca said calmly.
Romano frowned, opening the folder. He signaled for a flashlight. As he read the documents, his face contorted in anger.
"What is this?"
"Vanessa Bellini didn't promise you my territory," Luca said loudly. "She sold you empty accounts. The money she embezzled from my family? She lost it in bad investments three years ago. The Bellini family is broke. If you take my territory based on her deal, you inherit a hundred million dollars of her debt."
Romano stared at the paper, his jaw clenching. He looked at Luca. "This is verified?"
"Call your own accountants," Luca challenged. "The Bellinis played you. They wanted us to wipe each other out so they could pick up the pieces."
Romano was silent for a long, tense moment. The rain beat against the pavement.
Finally, Romano spat on the ground.
"The Bellinis are dead to me," he growled. He pointed a finger at Luca. "Keep your clean empire, Moretti. We don't want your garbage."
Romano turned and got into his car. Within seconds, the fifty armed men retreated, their headlights disappearing into the dark.
The threat was gone.
The war was over.
Luca stood in the driveway, the rain soaking his tuxedo, and let out a long, heavy breath.
He turned and looked at me standing on the porch.
I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck, not caring about the rain. He picked me up, spinning me around, burying his face in my neck.
"We did it," he whispered fiercely. "We're out."
One month later.
The Chicago sun shone brightly through the massive windows of the newly formed Moretti Corporation headquarters.
I stood in my new office, looking out at the city. My mother was completely healed, living in a beautiful guest house on the estate. Leo was starting at a prestigious private school next week.
And Bruno, the golden retriever, was sleeping soundly on a plush bed under my desk.
The door opened.
Luca walked in, wearing a sharp navy suit, looking more handsome than ever.
He walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder.
"Mr. CEO," I smiled, leaning back into him.
"Ms. Vice President," he replied softly, kissing my cheek.
He reached into his pocket. "I have something for you."
I turned around.
In his hand was a small, velvet box.
"Luca," I gasped softly.
He opened it. Inside was a simple, breathtakingly elegant gold ring, set with a single, flawless diamond.
"I had the ring meant for Vanessa melted down and sold to charity," Luca said, his dark eyes locking onto mine with absolute devotion. "This is entirely new. No mafia money. No blood. Just us."
He took my hand.
"Emma, you walked into the darkest parts of my world and brought the light with you. You saved my family. Now, I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you and Leo never have to worry about anything ever again."
He slipped the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly.
"Will you marry me?" he asked.
I looked at the ring, then at the man who had traded an empire for my safety.
"Yes," I whispered, pulling him down for a kiss.
May you like
From under the desk, Bruno let out a happy, contented sigh, thumping his tail against the floor.
Our family was finally safe. And this time, it was forever.
