Chapter 15 - Queen of the Cypress Manor (The End)
A year later.
The church bells of St. Louis Cathedral rang out across New Orleans.
The grand reception on the Moretti estate was filled with music, laughter, and
blooming jasmine.
Hundreds of guests celebrated beneath strings of golden fairy lights.
Donna Maria sat in a carved rocking chair on the veranda, holding a glass of
sweet tea.
Beside her, Lily was showing off her latest painting of the bayou, smiling
proudly.
Down on the lawn, Baron lay lazily under a sprawling live oak.
A red silk bow was tied neatly around his neck.
He was gnawing happily on a prime rib bone, surrounded by admiring guests who
treated him like royalty.
The hero dog of the Moretti dynasty.
Lorenzo led me onto the dance floor beneath the grand glass pavilion.
My ivory lace gown swept across the polished floor.
His strong hand rested firmly against the small of my back, drawing me close.
"Happy, Donna Evelyn?" he murmured, leaning down until his lips brushed my ear.
"More than happy," I whispered, resting my head against his broad chest,
listening to the steady, calm beat of his heart.
"We're finally safe."
"You will always be safe," Lorenzo swore softly against my hair.
"As long as I draw breath."
The music swelled into a gentle Southern waltz.
The storm was long gone.
The dark bayou held no more secrets.
We had pulled life from the grave and forged an empire of loyalty out of the
flood.
I looked out at the peaceful river, my hand safe within his.
May you like
We were home.
THE END
