The sound of Dominic Vale’s cane striking the marble floor carried through the great room like a gunshot.

A month before the wedding, a small, private gathering took place at Pier 9.

The sun was setting over Lake Michigan, painting the sky in deep shades of crimson, gold, and violet. The cool autumn breeze carried the fresh scent of the lake.

Dominic, wearing a casual dark wool sweater and trousers, stood on the wooden dock alongside Elijah Drake.

A brand-new forty-foot commercial tugboat, painted in sleek dark navy and gold, sat floating in the slip, its engine humming smoothly. Painted across the bow in elegant white lettering was the name: THE LITTLE LATCH.

Elijah Drake stared at the massive vessel in utter shock, his hands trembling as he touched the polished brass railing. "Dominic... what is this?"

"Your old boat was decommissioned by the port authority last month, Elijah," Dominic said smoothly, leaning against the wooden piling. "You've guarded this harbor for thirty years. You kept my shipping lanes safe when everyone else was taking bribes from Arthur Voss. I couldn't let my favorite harbor master retire without a proper flagship."

Elijah wiped a tear from his eye, shaking his head with a raspy laugh. "You crazy, generous bastard. This boat costs more than my entire house!"

"It's already paid for," Dominic smiled, slapping the old man on the shoulder. "And the port authority just extended your contract for another ten years."

Down the dock, Clare walked toward them, wearing a soft cream coat, holding a thermos of hot cocoa. Beside her, Ellie ran along the wooden planks, wearing tiny yellow rain boots, chasing the seagulls landing on the posts.

"Look, Mr. Elijah!" Ellie shouted, pointing at the new boat. "It has three big levers on the steering wheel!"

Elijah laughed, kneeling down on the dock as Ellie ran up to him. "It sure does, little lady! And do you know who gets to push the big red button to start the horn?"

Ellie gasped, her eyes wide with excitement. "Me?!"

"You bet," Elijah smiled, lifting her up onto his shoulder as they walked toward the boat's wheelhouse.

Clare walked up to Dominic, slipping her hand into his warm coat pocket, leaning her head against his arm as they watched Elijah show Ellie the boat's navigation controls.

"You're a good man, Dominic Vale," Clare said softly, looking up at his profile.

Dominic wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close against his side. "I'm only as good as the woman who stands beside me, Clare."

"Have you heard from the lawyers about Arthur's trial?" she asked quietly.

"Arthur pled guilty this morning," Dominic replied flatly, without a trace of anger. "He'll spend the rest of his life in a federal facility in Indiana. The Vale organization has been completely restructured. All illegal holdings have been liquidated, and eighty percent of our capital is now in green infrastructure and maritime logistics."