Chapter 7 - The Villa on the Cliff
For security reasons, Dominic moved Sadie to his family’s private, heavily guarded estate high in the hills of Taormina, overlooking the sparkling Ionian Sea.
The villa was a centuries-old paradise of white stone, olive groves, and blooming magenta bougainvillea. High stone walls and ten armed Virelli guards protected the perimeter.
Two days passed while Dominic worked around the clock from the villa's study, coordinating with his father in New York and union leaders in Palermo to secure the docks with private armed escorts.
On the third evening, the storm had settled. The first three cargo ships belonging to Virelli Holdings had successfully loaded their containers and departed for New York.
Sadie stood on the wide terrace of the villa, looking out at the moonlight reflecting across the calm dark waters of the sea.
Footsteps sounded softly on the stone tiles behind her. Dominic stepped out onto the terrace, carrying two glasses of dark red wine. He had rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, looking relaxed for the first time since they landed in Italy.
He handed her a glass. “The docks are fully operational, Sadie. The containers are on their way home.”
Sadie took the glass, smiling softly. “Congratulations, Mr. Virelli.”
“We did it together,” Dominic said, leaning against the stone balustrade beside her. “In fact, my father called ten minutes ago. He wants to officially name you Director of Overseas Relations for Virelli Holdings.”
Sadie gasped, nearly dropping her wine glass. “Director? Dominic... I was a janitor four days ago.”
“You were a brilliant woman hiding behind a mop because the world never gave you a fair shot,” Dominic corrected softly, taking her glass and setting it on a nearby table before taking both of her hands in his. “You saved my company, Sadie. You saved my reputation. And... you saved me.”
Sadie looked up into his eyes, her heart leaping into her throat. “Dominic...”
“When those gunshots rang out in Palermo, I didn't care about the containers,” Dominic whispered, his voice thick with raw, honest emotion. “I didn't care about the money or the empire. All I cared about was keeping you safe. I’ve spent my whole life surrounded by people who wanted something from me. You’re the first person who ever looked at me and just demanded I be better.”
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Sadie reached up, her thumb brushing softly across his cheekbone. “You are better, Dominic. You just needed someone to remind you.”
Dominic leaned down, his lips meeting hers in a gentle, breathtaking kiss that quickly deepened into a passionate, possessive embrace. Sadie wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, surrendering completely to the fierce heat rising between them.
