THEY CALLED ME A NOBODY MAID UNTIL I CUT THE POISON FROM THE MAFIA KING'S CHEST—AND HE MADE ME HIS QUEEN

One year later.

The Cathedral of St. Patrick was filled to capacity with dignitaries, business leaders, and reformed family heads from across the country. But today, there were no weapons hidden under jackets, no whispers of treachery in the corners, and no poison lurking in the shadows.

The Falcone enterprise had been completely restructured. The chemical vats were gone, replaced by legitimate maritime logistics and the largest charitable foundation for garment workers in New York history—named the Rosa Ruiz Foundation, in honor of my mother.

I stood before the altar in a custom wedding gown of ivory silk, woven with the finest golden embroidery. Around my neck was the Falcone family diamond, but across my wrist, I still wore the simple silver bracelet my mother had given me.

Gabriel stood beside me, impeccably handsome in a charcoal tuxedo. Across his shoulder, hidden beneath the fine Italian wool, was the pale scar where the poisoned thread had once threatened his life—a permanent reminder of the night that brought us together.

The priest raised his hands in blessing.

"Do you, Gabriel Falcone, take Elena Ruiz to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?"

Gabriel looked down at me, his amber eyes shining with an absolute, unshakable love that took my breath away.

"I took that vow the night she cut the poison from my heart," Gabriel answered, his voice ringing through the grand cathedral. "I will love and protect her for all eternity."

"And do you, Elena Ruiz, take Gabriel Falcone to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," I smiled, tears of joy welling in my eyes. "With all my heart."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Gabriel wrapped his strong arms around my waist, lifting me slightly off the marble floor as he brought his lips down to mine in a passionate, triumphant kiss.

The cathedral erupted into thunderous applause.

As we walked down the aisle hand in hand, stepping out into the warm, golden sunlight of New York City, I looked up at the man who had traded his empire of shadows for a life of light by my side.

I had entered his mansion as an invisible maid with nothing to my name but my mother's scissors.

I walked out as his Queen.