Chapter 10 - The New Beginning at the Moretti Estate
The return journey to New York two days later felt entirely different from the harrowing departure.
The air inside the private jet was warm and quiet, filled only with the soft humming of the engines and the gentle sound of Lily fast asleep across two leather seats, her head resting comfortably on her gray stuffed rabbit.
I sat across the aisle from Dominic Moretti, watching the distant lights of the Manhattan skyline sparkle through the reinforced cabin window as our descent began.
The heavy leather ledger that had triggered a war was currently locked away in a secure federal vault in Washington, traded by Dominic's legal team in exchange for absolute, permanent immunity and witness protection for my family in Ohio, along with the complete dismantling of Vince Russo’s criminal network.
My past was finally, truly buried.
Dominic lowered the financial tablet he had been reviewing, setting it aside on the walnut table between us. He poured two cups of steaming black coffee, sliding one across the polished wood toward me.
“Your mother is going to be fine,” Dominic said quietly, his voice breaking the comfortable silence of the cabin. “The doctors in Cleveland confirmed this morning that her new treatment protocol is taking effect. She’s strong enough to visit us in New York by spring.” K
My hands trembled slightly as I wrapped my fingers around the warm ceramic mug.
“I don't know how I’ll ever repay you, Mr. Moretti,” I whispered, looking down at the dark coffee. “For saving my family... for protecting Lily... for everything.”
Dominic didn't answer immediately. He leaned back against the leather seat, his dark eyes studying me with an intensity that made the air between us feel heavy and electric.
He reached out across the table, his warm, calloused fingers—bearing the heavy gold signet ring of his father—gentling resting over my knuckles, silencing my words.
“Drop the formal title, Clara,” he said, his voice dropping into a low, intimate register that sent a delicious shiver straight down my spine. “Outside New York, and outside those estate gates... my name is Dominic.”
I looked up into his deep, dark eyes, feeling the last remaining walls around my guarded heart crumble away entirely.
Down in the aisle, fast asleep under her strawberry socks, Lily stirred slightly, clutching her stuffed rabbit tightly and muttering something incoherent about dinosaurs and tall men in ties.
May you like
Dominic smiled—a genuine, unguarded smile meant only for us—and squeezed my hand.
The plate had broken four days ago, scattering its pieces across a cold marble floor. But looking out at the glittering lights of the city rushing up to meet us, I realized that some things had to shatter completely before they could finally fall into their proper place.
