Chapter 10 - Bloodlines of the Boston HarborTwo weeks later, on a crisp, sunlit Saturday afternoon, Dominic, Bella, and I brought fresh white calla lilies to the historic cemetery on the bluffs overlooking Boston Harbor.
The cemetery was quiet, peaceful, and bathed in golden autumn light that filtered through the ancient oak trees.
We walked down a secluded gravel path until we reached a beautiful, shaded plot surrounded by blooming white hydrangeas and fragrant rosemary bushes.
Standing beneath a towering granite cross was the headstone of Dominic’s brother, Leo Morelli:
Leo Morelli (2002–2026) — A Brother of Honor, Always in Our Hearts.
Fresh bouquets of white calla lilies, red roses, and fragrant sweet basil rested at the base of the stone.
Dominic knelt beside his brother’s headstone, resting his hand on the carved granite, his dark eyes bright with tears of profound, eternal peace.
“We brought the truth home, Leo,” Dominic whispered softly through his tears. “The traitors are broken. The foundries are clean. The shadows are gone forever.”
I stepped forward, kneeling beside him on the gravel path, resting my hand respectfully on the stone.
“Your brother carries your memory, Leo,” I said softly, my voice carrying clearly across the quiet churchyard. “He is the sovereign of our fleet. In this house, your courage will never be forgotten.”
Bella knelt beside us, placing Leo’s gold lighter—its eagle and anchor polished until it shone like mirror glass—beside the lilies on the stone.
“Thank you, Leo,” Bella murmured. “We will protect the family forever.”
Dominic stood up, pulling Bella and me into his arms, wrapping his heavy wool overcoat around both of us, shielding us from the ocean wind.
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He reached into his pocket and produced an antique silver pocket watch that had belonged to his father, sliding the chain into my palm.
“Our family is whole, Maya. The water will never rise above our heads.”
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