Chapter 14 - The Final Reckoning
Three weeks later, the Gallo estate had been completely restored.
The shattered bay windows were replaced with reinforced ballistic glass. The blood-stained Persian rugs were swapped for antique tapestries. The gardens were blooming with fresh white orchids.
Beatrice was back in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared an extravagant five-course dinner for the evening’s celebration.
In the master bedroom, Dominic stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the cufflinks of his custom midnight-blue tuxedo.
The door opened, and Nora stepped out of the dressing room.
Dominic stopped breathing.
She wore an emerald-green silk evening gown that hugged her curves, her long brown hair styled in elegant waves over her bare shoulders. Around her neck was the priceless Gallo diamond necklace—the heirloom passed down to the queen of the syndicate.
Beneath the slit of her gown, strapped discreetly to her thigh, was a ceramic combat knife.
Dominic turned, walking over to her, his eyes full of undisguised adoration.
“You are the most breathtaking creature I have ever seen,” Dominic murmured, placing his hands on her waist.
“And you clean up remarkably well for a mob boss,” Nora teased, looping her arms around his neck.
Dominic pulled her closer, his expression growing serious.
“No more secrets, Nora. No more hiding who we are.”
May you like
Nora looked deeply into his dark eyes, feeling a profound peace that she had searched for her entire life. She was no longer a hunted black-ops ghost living under an assumed identity. She was Eleanor Gallo—the most powerful and feared woman in the country, protected by a king who loved her for all of her light and all of her darkness.
“No more secrets, Dominic,” Nora promised softly. “From this day on… we run this empire together.”
