Chapter 14 - The Dismantling of an Empire
The winter arrived in Chicago with soft, quiet snow.
The Moretti estate had transformed completely. The dark velvet drapes had been
replaced with warm linens, the staff was treated with unprecedented respect and
generous compensation, and laughter echoed through the grand hallways for the
first time in thirty years.
Sophia Moretti visited often from Lake Geneva. She had become one of my closest
confidantes, helping me navigate the complex philanthropic circles of Chicago
while Julian thrived in his new university apartment in Evanston.
On a quiet snowy evening in December, Luca and I sat together in the grand
library beside a roaring fire.
I sat curled in the deep leather armchair, reading a book, while Luca reviewed
the final maritime reports from the Port of Gary.
He closed the last ledger, set his pen down, and looked across the hearth at me.
“The docks are fully operational,” Luca said, a satisfied smile touching his
mouth. “Clean freight. Legitimate contracts. No cartel money.”
“Your father would be proud, Luca,” I said softly, setting my book aside.
Luca rose from his desk, walked over to my chair, and knelt beside me. He took
my left hand in his, his thumb tracing the platinum wedding band that now rested
beside my engagement ring.
“My father would have loved you, Olivia,” he murmured, kissing the inside of my
wrist. “He always said that the strength of a Don is measured by the woman
standing beside him.”
I smiled, running my fingers through his dark hair. “And what does the Don
think?”
May you like
Luca leaned up, pressing his lips gently to mine.
“The Don thinks he’s the luckiest man in this city,” he whispered.
