Chapter 10 - FOREVER HIS
That evening, the Valente estate was filled with the sound of laughter and music.
A massive outdoor dinner was being held in the courtyard to celebrate the official opening of Gallagher Financial Intelligence. Marcus, fully recovered, was grilling steaks, while members of the Valente family raised glasses of fine Italian wine.
Even Barnaby, Maya's orange tabby cat, was lounging comfortably on a velvet sunbed by the fountain, entirely pampered.
Maya stood on the balcony overlooking the garden, holding a glass of sparkling water, watching her family.
A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her back against a hard, warm chest. Lorenzo rested his chin on her shoulder, his hands resting possessively over her stomach.
"Thinking about spreadsheets?" Lorenzo murmured into her ear, his voice warm and affectionate.
"Thinking about how crazy this year has been," Maya smiled, leaning back against him, feeling completely safe, completely cherished. "A year ago, I was sitting alone in a dusty cubicle, hoping nobody would look at me."
Lorenzo spun her around in his arms so she was facing him. He looked down at her—at her glowing skin, her confident hazel eyes, her full, breathtaking figure—with a devotion so profound it took her breath away.
"You were never meant to be invisible, my queen," Lorenzo said softly.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a delicate silver key on a chain.
"What is this?" Maya asked.
"The key to the new maritime archive," Lorenzo said, a wicked, handsome grin spreading across his face. "And a promise that every ledger, every harbor, and every heart in this city belongs to you."
Maya laughed, taking the key and slipping the chain around her neck.
She looked up at the feared boss of Boston—the man who had backed her against a brick wall, who had seen past her fear and her oversized hoodie, and who had given her the world.
She reached up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his.
"I love you, Lorenzo," she whispered against his mouth.
Lorenzo pulled her tight against his heart, his ice-blue eyes shining with endless warmth in the golden sunset.
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"I loved you before you even knew my name, piccola," Lorenzo whispered. "And I will love you for the rest of my life."
(The End)
