Chapter 10 - The Sovereign Queen
Six months later.
Sterling Manor was bathed in the warm, golden light of early summer. The black-and-white marble ballroom, once the scene of cruelty and shattered glass, had been completely transformed. Bouquets of deep red roses and cascading white jasmine filled the air with sweet fragrance, while an eighty-piece orchestra played softly on the mezzanine.
I stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the bridal suite, smoothing my hands over the custom-made ivory lace gown. It hugged every glorious curve of my hips and bust, trailing behind me in six feet of French silk and hand-sewn pearls. Around my neck hung the restored silver Moretti locket, polished and paired with the Sterling emeralds.
A soft knock came at the door, and Dominic walked in, defying the superstition about seeing the bride before the ceremony.
He wore a tailored black tuxedo that fit his broad frame to perfection, his silver-gray eyes widening as he took me in from head to toe.
"You aren't supposed to be in here," I said, a playful smile curling my lips.
"I rule the Eastern seaboard, Elena," he said, walking slowly toward me, his gaze worshiping every inch of my body. "I go where I please. Especially when my queen looks like this."
He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin on my bare shoulder and inhaling the scent of my perfume.
"The final Vance holdings in Chicago were liquidated this morning," he whispered against my neck. "The Moretti name is fully restored on every harbor, every warehouse, and every bank in the territory."
"And Cassandra?" I asked quietly.
"Sentenced to fifteen years in a federal penitentiary for conspiracy and attempted murder," Dominic replied without an ounce of pity. "She will spend the rest of her youth scrubbing laundry in orange jumpsuits. She finally knows what honest work feels like."
I turned within the circle of his arms, looking up into the eyes of the man who had seen my fire when everyone else saw a servant.
"My father would have liked you," I said softly, running my fingers through the dark waves of his hair.
"Your father would have challenged me to a duel for touching his daughter," Dominic laughed softly, leaning down to press a tender kiss to the corner of my lips. "Are you ready to walk out there, Elena?"
"I spent ten years waiting to walk out there," I smiled, stepping toward the double doors. "Let’s show them who runs this city."
May you like
The double doors swung open, and the music swelled.
Two hundred guests stood as one, bowing their heads in deep, genuine respect as Elena Moretti—heiress, survivor, and queen—walked down the aisle to take her rightful throne.
