Placing a calming hand on his arm, I stepped forward, smiling warmly. “Magistrate Eldric, welcome to our estate. It’s a pleasure to host you today.”
Eldric’s pale eyes shifted to me, studying my face as though weighing the sincerity of my words. Then he gave a slight nod, the faintest hint of respect in his bearing. “The estate looks… different,” he said, his gaze sweeping across the room again.
“Yes,” I replied with practiced ease, gesturing for him to follow me. “We’ve made some changes. Let me show you.”
Raffaele gave me a look—half gratitude, half exasperation—but stayed silent, falling in step behind us as I led Eldric through the estate.
We began with the restored gardens, now vibrant and alive with color. Sunlight danced through the leaves, highlighting the flourishing plants and neatly tended pathways. Workers moved through the space, chatting and laughing as they harvested fresh vegetables from the fields beyond.
“Our people are flourishing,” I said, my tone bright yet tinged with subtle steel. “Even without constant government oversight.”
Eldric paused, his pale gaze lingering on a group of workers loading crates. His expression was unreadable, but the slight narrowing of his eyes suggested he was rethinking something. “It’s unusual to see such success without external support,” he said.
Of course, we would never admit that the only change was Raffaele removing the illusions from his territory. If the magistrate wanted to think we’d gone above and beyond to turn a shithole into paradise, that was fine with us. It showed we were committed to upholding whatever rules and regulations they expected from a mafia lord, which would result in us, hopefully, garnering their support.
Behind me, Raffaele let out a low, amused sound. I turned slightly and shot him a quick grin before continuing the tour.
We moved to the residential area, where children played in the courtyards, their laughter ringing out in the clear air. Eldric’sgaze swept over the scene, his usual cold detachment cracking just enough for me to notice. I took the opportunity to drive my point home.
“As you can see, Magistrate Eldric,” I said sweetly, “our people are more than content. They’re thriving. Raffaele has worked tirelessly to create a safe, prosperous territory.”
Eldric’s expression didn’t shift, but I could see the tension in his jaw. “It’s clear you’ve cultivated something remarkable here in the last few months,” he said slowly. “The council will undoubtedly be interested to see how this model holds up long-term.”
I tilted my head, my smile widening. “Oh, I have no doubt it will hold up beautifully.”
Eldric nodded, though his gaze lingered on Raffaele. “We’ll deploy Veil Guards to your territory for additional security and support. I expect routine updates on your commerce. We, of course, will need to be kept in the loop.”
Raffaele stiffened beside me, his body coiled with irritation. I quickly placed a hand on his arm. “Thank you,” I said, my tone measured. “We appreciate the council’s support.”
The magistrate inclined his head again, his expression giving nothing away, and made his way toward the exit. We stood there in silence, watching his sharp silhouette disappear down the long path leading away from the estate.
The moment he was gone, Raffaele let out a long, low breath. He turned to me, dark eyes filled with a mix of frustration and admiration. “How the hell do you do that?”
“Do what?” I asked, raising a brow.
“Charm the most insufferable people on the planet and make it look effortless.”
I laughed, stepping closer to him and wrapping my arms around his neck. “It’s a gift.”
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I don’t deserve you.”
I reached up, brushing my lips against his. The warmth of his emotions—love, contentment, joy—washed over me. “No, but you have me anyway.”
His arms tightened around me, and he kissed me deeply. In that moment, all the horrible moments we’d endured melted away, leaving only the two of us and the unshakable bond we shared.
When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his, my heart full. “How did I get so lucky?” I whispered.
He smiled, his voice soft and full of wonder. “I ask myself the same thing every day.”
We stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the future stretching out before us like a blank page, waiting for us to fill it together.
EPILOGUE
EVA
The wine in my glass had gone warm, but I didn’t care. Vivian’s bright and carefree laughter echoed through my penthouse, filling the room with a kind of joy I hadn’t felt in years. Outside, New York City glowed in all its restless, glittering glory, but inside, it was just the two of us. New friends. Sisters, really. Not by blood, but by something stronger.
She was curled into the corner of my couch, her legs tucked beneath her, a soft pink flush coloring her cheeks. “I can’t believe I’m planning a wedding,” she said dreamily. “I used to make fun of girls like this, you know? Mood boards. Color palettes. Dress fittings. And now? I want it to be perfect. For Rafaelle. For us. I feel like we deserve it after everything.”
