Chapter 10 - A New Empire
Three months later, the rain was falling again over East Harbor, but the city felt entirely different. The corrupt federal network had been dismantled, exposed by an anonymous data drop that leaked directly to federal oversight committees, while Marcus Vance and his co-conspirators were safely tucked away in maximum-security federal custody, awaiting trial with no hope of bail.
La Stella was busier than ever, though its ownership had quietly transferred into the hands of a local charitable foundation funded entirely by the Russo estate. Monica was now the general manager, sporting a sharp new suit and a salary that finally reflected her hard work, often shaking her head in disbelief whenever she looked at the framed photo hanging in the private office.
And as for me?
I stood on the wraparound balcony of the Cliffside estate, wrapped in a heavy cashmere shawl, looking out over the sprawling expanse of the harbor as the morning sun broke through the clouds. The heavy, suffocating weight of medical debt, grief, and invisibility was gone, replaced by something vast, powerful, and entirely unmapped.
Footsteps echoed softly on the stone behind me. A familiar pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against a warm, solid chest. Dante rested his chin on my shoulder, inhaling deeply as he looked out at the horizon with me.
“The board meeting with the waterfront developers is in an hour,” Dante murmured against my neck, his voice rich and smooth. “My mother wants to know if you’re joining us as an observer or taking the head seat at the table today.”
I smiled, turning around in his embrace and wrapping my arms around his neck. The diamond ring he had shown me months ago now rested securely on my left ring finger, catching the morning light and gleaming brilliantly.
May you like
“Tell your mother,” I whispered, leaning in close with a wicked, confident smile, “that the invisible girl is officially running the syndicate.”
Dante laughed—that rich, genuine laugh that had once startled an entire restaurant—and kissed me deeply as the sun rose fully over our empire.
