Chapter 9 - The Promise on the Cliff
Six months later.
Spring had arrived on the North Shore of Long Island. The grey, icy winter had melted away, replaced by bright blue skies, warm sea breezes, and blooming fields of green grass and wild white lilies.
The heavy iron gates of the Costello estate stood open. The armed guards in dark suits were no longer patrolling the lawn with submachine guns; instead, several gardeners were tending to the sprawling rose bushes near the terrace.
Following the total collapse of the Donati syndicate and the settlement of federal harbor disputes, Gabriel had officially stepped back from the violent underworld, transitioning the family’s assets into legitimate international shipping, commercial real estate, and charitable foundations.
On the high cliff overlooking the sparkling waters of Long Island Sound, a simple wooden pavilion had been built.
Sitting inside the pavilion, drawing sketches in her notebook, was Chloe.
She wore a light yellow spring dress, her hair flowing softly in the ocean breeze. Beside her sat a small wooden box containing her brother Leo’s old ASL dictionary and his favorite silver compass.
Footsteps sounded on the grassy path behind her.
Gabriel walked up to the pavilion, holding a tray with two cups of fresh espresso and a plate of warm Sicilian almond cookies.
"You left your coffee in the kitchen," Gabriel said, setting the tray down on the small table beside her.
Chloe smiled, leaning back against the wooden bench. "I wanted to see the ships coming into the harbor."
Gabriel sat down beside her, pulling her close against his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head.
"My mother is upstairs arguing with the interior decorator," Gabriel remarked with a soft chuckle. "She says the new sunroom furniture looks like rubber and she wants traditional wicker."
Chloe laughed softly. "I'll go translate for her in a minute."
"No," Gabriel said softly, taking her hand in his. "Let her argue for a bit. She’s enjoying having the final say in her own house."
Chloe looked down at their joined hands. She looked at the pale scars on his knuckles, remembering the first night she had touched them at Il Canto.
"Do you ever miss it?" Chloe asked quietly. "The old life?"
Gabriel looked out over the ocean, watching a large cargo ship glide smoothly across the blue horizon.
"I spent fifteen years living in the dark, Chloe," Gabriel said, his voice deep and full of emotion. "I thought power meant making people afraid of me. I thought strength meant keeping my mouth shut and my hands on a gun."
He turned his head, looking directly into her hazel eyes.
"You showed me that real power is being able to hear the people you love. You brought me back to life, Chloe."
Gabriel reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small velvet box.
Chloe’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart began to race with a joyous, dizzying beat.
Gabriel dropped to one knee on the grassy ground before her. He opened the box, revealing a breathtaking platinum ring set with an exquisite oval-cut diamond that caught the brilliant spring sunlight.
He didn't speak aloud.
Instead, Gabriel raised his hands and signed the words clearly, beautifully, and with absolute, unyielding devotion:
You gave my mother her voice. You gave me my heart. Will you marry me, Chloe?
Tears of pure, overwhelming happiness spilled over Chloe’s eyelashes. She leaned down, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss.
May you like
"Yes," Chloe whispered against his lips. "Yes, Gabriel! A thousand times yes!"
Gabriel lifted her in his arms, spinning her around under the warm spring sun, their laughter echoing out over the cliff and across the infinite blue sea.
