Chapter 12 - Stripping the Diamond Clean
Three days later, the news broke across every media outlet in the country.
SOCIALITE CELESTE ARDEN INDICTED ON ATTEMPTED MURDER AND EXTORTION CHARGES.
MORETTI SYNDICATE NETWORK CRUMBLES UNDER FEDERAL SWEEP.
I watched the television screen from the sunny breakfast nook of the 74th Street
brownstone.
Caleb was sitting on a plush velvet rug, playing with a brand-new wooden train
set.
He looked healthy.
His cheeks were pink.
He hadn't needed his inhaler once in forty-eight hours.
The front door opened with a quiet chime.
Margaret, the head housekeeper, walked in carrying two large wicker baskets
filled with fresh fruit, pastries, and Italian delicacies.
"Good morning, Naomi," Margaret smiled warmly.
"Mrs. Castellano insisted on sending these from the bakery in Little Italy."
"Margaret, please tell her she doesn't have to keep sending food," I laughed,
pouring two cups of fresh coffee.
"We have enough to feed an army."
"You know better than to tell Teresa Castellano 'no,'" Margaret chuckled.
She sat down across from me, glancing at my bandage.
"How is the hand healing?"
"The doctor says the wrap comes off on Friday. Just a light scar."
"A badge of honor," Margaret said quietly.
Then she leaned in.
"Mr. Castellano is coming by this afternoon."
My stomach did a strange, fluttery flip.
"He is?"
"He terminated every contract connected to the Arden family. Stripped their name
off every building in the city."
Margaret smiled knowingly.
"He hasn't looked this peaceful in ten years, Naomi."
At two o'clock, a sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb.
Richard stepped out, wearing a tailored navy suit without a tie.
He looked relaxed.
Powerful, yet entirely at ease.
Caleb jumped up from the rug.
"Mr. Richard!"
Richard knelt on one knee on the hardwood floor, catching Caleb as the boy ran
to him.
"Hey there, buddy. Did you finish that train track?"
"Almost! I built the bridge like you showed me!"
Richard tousled Caleb’s hair, handing him a model airplane box.
"Go show Margaret. She’s helping with the wings."
Caleb cheered and dashed toward the kitchen.
Richard stood up, his gaze finding mine.
"You look rested, Naomi."
"I slept eight hours for the first time in five years," I said honestly.
"Thank you for everything, Richard. Really."
He walked over to the bay window, looking down at the quiet, tree-lined
Manhattan street.
"The Moretti syndicate is gone. Completely dismantled. The federal prosecutors
signed off on the final plea deals this morning."
"And Celeste?"
"Thirty years without parole," Richard said simply.
"She will never touch a diamond again."
He turned toward me.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
My breath hitched.
He saw my expression and chuckled softly.
"Not that kind of box. Not yet."
He opened it.
Inside lay an antique gold necklace holding a polished Sicilian olive-wood
charm.
The companion to Teresa’s rosary.
"My mother wanted you to have this," Richard said, stepping close.
"It was her grandmother's. It's given to the woman who protects the home."
He lifted the delicate chain.
I turned around, lifting my hair.
His warm fingers brushed against the nape of my neck as he fastened the clasp.
A shiver ran down my spine.
"Richard..." I whispered.
"Naomi," he said, turning me gently to face him.
"I spent twenty years surrounded by people who smiled at me while holding knives
behind their backs. I thought trust was a myth we told children."
He looked deeply into my eyes.
"You showed me what true loyalty looks like."
"I just did what was right."
"That’s why you're rare," he murmured.
"I don't want to rush you. You and Caleb have a life to build here. But I’d like
to be part of it. If you'll have me."
I looked at the strong, steady man who had dismantled an army to protect a maid
and her child.
I looked down at the gold charm resting against my chest.
May you like
"I think Caleb would like that," I smiled softly.
"And so would I."
