Chapter 10 - THE QUEEN OF BROOKLYN
Six months later.
The early summer sun danced across the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, casting a golden light over the terrace of the grand estate in East Hampton.
A light sea breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine and fresh ocean salt.
I sat at a white marble table on the terrace, wearing an elegant cream silk dress, a pair of reading glasses resting on my nose as I reviewed financial reports for the newly established Maria Valenti Educational Foundation—a fifty-million-dollar charity fund dedicated to providing scholarships for low-income women in New York.
The war was over.
With Marco Maranzano dead and the contents of the ledger delivered to the Federal Prosecutors, the Maranzano empire had collapsed entirely. Dozens of corrupt officials were behind bars, and Anthony Moretti was serving a twenty-year sentence in federal prison for conspiracy and treason.
Salvo had used the chaos to legally legitimize the entirety of the Romano estate, transitioning his family's holdings into real estate, international shipping, and green energy technology.
A heavy pair of warm arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind, and soft lips pressed against the crook of my neck.
"You work too hard, cara," Salvo murmured, his deep voice sending a familiar, wonderful shiver down my spine.
He was wearing a light gray linen suit, his dark hair catching the sunlight, looking happier and healthier than I had ever seen him.
"Someone has to make sure your millions are actually going to good causes, Don Romano," I teased, leaning back against his chest.
Salvo smiled, sliding into the chair beside me and taking my hand in his. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet ring box, placing it gently on the table between us.
My breath caught in my throat.
He opened the box, revealing a breathtaking ring featuring a rare, flawless canary yellow diamond surrounded by a halo of small white diamonds, gleaming like a drop of pure sunlight.
"Six months ago, a beautiful woman spilled a bottle of Barolo on my shoe and called me a man without manners," Salvo said softly, his amber eyes shining with deep, endless love. "She showed me that strength isn't built on violence, but on courage, intelligence, and loyalty."
He took the ring from the box and looked into my eyes.
"Clara Vance, you rebuilt my world from the ashes. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, and ruling this life with me?"
Tears of pure joy filled my eyes as I looked at the man who had protected me, loved me, and given me a family when I thought I had lost everything.
"Only if you promise to never insult my Sicilian again," I whispered, a radiant smile breaking across my face.
Salvo laughed, a rich, joyful sound that echoed across the sunny ocean cliff. He slid the golden ring onto my finger—a perfect fit.
"I promise, my queen," he whispered, pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss as the warm summer ocean breeze wrapped around us.
May you like
I was no longer furniture. I was no longer a waitress hiding in the shadows.
I was home.
