At twenty-eight, I was just another black-uniformed server at Le Rêve, one of Manhattan’s most exclusive restaurants.

By dawn, the storm had passed, leaving a crisp, golden sky over New York City.

The speedboat cut through the calm waters of the harbor, landing at a private Directorate dock in Brooklyn, where four armored Directorate tactical vans were already waiting.

Natalia stepped off the boat, holding her satellite phone. "Voronin's empire is collapsing as we speak. Without those funds, his men turned on him. Federal agents just breached his compound in Brighton Beach. He's under arrest, Elena. Your father's name has been completely cleared."

Tears of pure, overwhelming relief filled my eyes. Four years of crushing debt, hiding in the shadows, and struggling to survive was finally over. My father was free, safe, and exonerated.

Dominic stood beside me on the dock, watching the sunrise over the Manhattan skyline. His suit was ruined, his face smeared with soot and blood, but he had never looked more powerful.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper, handing it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, unfolding it.

It was a certified cashier's check made out to the New York Presbyterian Medical Center for three point two million dollars—completely clearing my father's debt.

"I told you I'd take care of it," Dominic said softly, his voice devoid of any mob-boss arrogance. "You're free, Elena. You don't owe anyone anything anymore. You can go back to your old life at the Directorate. Or anywhere else in the world."

I looked at the check, then up at the man who had risked his life, his empire, and his fortune to protect me from the moment I stood up to him in that restaurant.

"What if I don't want my old life back?" I whispered.

Dominic went completely still, his dark eyes locking onto mine with desperate hope. "What do you mean?"

"I spent four years being invisible," I said, stepping closer to him, taking his scarred hand in mine. "Tonight, a arrogant mafia boss yelled at me in Russian, dragged me into a gunfight, and made me feel more alive than I've felt in ten years."

Dominic let out a breathless, booming laugh, pulling me violently into his arms and lifting me off my feet.

"I'm still an arrogant mob boss, Elena," he warned against my lips, his warm breath intoxicating.