After dismissing the others, he lingered. "You made your choice."
It wasn't a question.
"I made my choice," I confirmed. "The empire means nothing if I lose her."
"Your father—"
"My father died alone and unmourned. I won't make the same mistake."
Marco studied me for a long moment, then nodded. "Then let's make sure you don't have to choose. We end this tonight, you get both."
"That's the plan."
He headed for the door, then paused. "For what it's worth, she's good for you. Makes you human again."
After he left, I returned to the windows, watching the city darken as evening approached. Phase one was already in motion—men moving to positions, Francesco making his call, the trap being set.
In a few hours, Giuseppe and Ricci would make their moves. And I would be waiting.
My phone buzzed with a text from Angelo:Mrs. Romano asking for you. Says she needs to talk.
I should stay focused on the operation, on coordinating the final pieces. But the thought of Sienna waiting, wondering if I'd chosen her or the empire—
I was out the door before I finished the thought.
Ifound her in the underground apartment, pacing the living room with barely contained energy. She turned when I entered, her expression guarded.
"You came," she said, surprise evident.
"You asked for me."
She wrapped her arms around herself—a protective gesture I'd learned meant she was uncertain, vulnerable. "I thought you'd be too busy planning how to save your empire."
I crossed to her in three strides, cupping her face in my hands. "I made my choice."
Her breath caught. "Luca—"
"You. I choose you." The words came easier than I'd expected. "The empire, the power, all of it—it means nothing if I lose you."
Tears welled in her eyes. "What about Ricci's deadline?"
"I'm handling it. My way." I pressed my forehead to hers. "But not by surrendering you. By eliminating the threat."
"That's suicide. Giuseppe and Ricci together—"
"Trust me." I pulled back enough to meet her gaze. "I have a plan. And in about—" I checked my watch, "—five hours, this ends. One way or another."
She studied my face, searching for doubt. "You're serious."
"I'm serious. About ending this. About keeping you safe." I hesitated, then reached into my pocket. "About us."
I pulled out the small worn box, opening it to reveal my mother's ring—a simple gold band with a single diamond, elegant in its simplicity.
Sienna's eyes widened. "Luca—"
"This was my mother's. The only thing my father didn't destroy after she died." I held it between us. "I've carried it for eight years, never imagining I'd give it to anyone.But you—" My voice roughened with emotion I'd spent years suppressing. "You make me want to be more than what my father was. More than cold strategy and calculated violence."
"We're already married," she whispered.
