Chapter 9 - THE EMPTY CHAIR
The grand ballroom of the Lakeshore Club was oblivious to the violence that had just unfolded in the coat room.
The string quartet was playing a soft waltz. Waiters were pouring champagne. The Alden Freight executives were laughing, unaware that their CEO was currently in handcuffs in the back of a federal vehicle.
When Grace and Matteo walked back through the double doors, no one stared. No one whispered. The chaos was perfectly contained.
They walked toward the Parker family table.
Grace’s mother looked up, her eyes bright with relief. “There you are! Your father just got back. They’re about to do the toasts.”
Arthur was sitting at the head of the table. When he saw Grace and Matteo, a profound, steady smile spread across his face. He looked ten years younger. He looked like a man who had won his life back.
Sitting in the chair next to Arthur, happily eating a slice of chocolate cake, was Lily.
With Daniel and Chloe arrested, Arthur had quietly taken custody of the child until child services could arrange a permanent, safe placement—likely with Arthur and Grace’s mother, who was already doting on the little girl as if she were her own blood.
Grace felt a warm tear slip down her cheek. Lily was safe. She would never have to be a pawn in a monster’s game again.
Grace walked to her seat.
Next to her place card was the empty cream-colored chair.
Matteo pulled it out for her. She sat down, smoothing her emerald dress.
Then, Matteo sat down in the empty chair beside her.
It wasn’t just a prop anymore. He filled the space entirely, his broad shoulders and quiet confidence anchoring the table.
Underneath the tablecloth, away from the prying eyes of the guests, Matteo reached out. His large, warm hand found Grace’s. He didn’t hesitate. He laced his fingers through hers, his grip firm and incredibly tender.
Grace didn’t pull away. She squeezed his hand back, her heart swelling with a strange, beautiful peace.
Arthur stood up, tapping his spoon against his champagne glass.
The ballroom quieted down.
“Thirty-four years,” Arthur began, his voice booming across the room. “Thirty-four years of loading trucks, managing terminals, and working with some of the finest people in Chicago.”
He paused, looking directly at Matteo.
“Tonight was supposed to be about the end of my road,” Arthur continued, a sly smile touching his lips. “But sometimes, a storm comes along and clears out the dead wood, making room for something new to grow.”
A murmur of confusion rippled through the Alden executives, but Arthur ignored them.
“I’m not retiring,” Arthur announced, his voice ringing with absolute authority. “I am stepping up. As of tomorrow morning, under new ownership, I will be taking over as President of Operations for Alden Freight.”
The table erupted. Grace’s mother gasped, throwing her arms around Arthur. The room broke into a shocked but genuine round of applause.
Grace beamed, looking at her father. He had his dignity back. He had his company back.
Matteo leaned close to Grace’s ear, his breath warm against her skin.
“He’s going to be an expensive employee,” Matteo murmured, a hint of genuine amusement in his voice.
“You can afford him,” Grace whispered back, smiling.
Matteo turned his head, his dark eyes locking onto hers. The amusement faded, replaced by something much deeper, much more intense.
“Grace,” Matteo said softly, the noise of the ballroom fading away completely.
“Yes?”
Matteo reached into his suit jacket with his free hand. He pulled something out and placed it gently on the white tablecloth in front of her.
It was the silver bracelet with the turquoise stones. Her grandmother’s heirloom.
He hadn’t thrown it away in the alley. He had kept it safe.
“Daniel didn’t take this from you tonight,” Matteo said quietly, his thumb gently tracing the back of her hand. “He took it from you three years ago. Tonight, I am giving it back. Because it belongs to you. Just like your life belongs to you.”
Grace stared at the bracelet, the physical proof of everything she had lost, and everything she had just won back.
She looked up at Matteo. This man—dangerous, powerful, ruthless to his enemies—was looking at her with a level of respect and devotion she had never experienced in her entire life.
“You asked me to sit in this chair for two hours,” Matteo said, his voice a low rumble meant only for her. “The two hours are up.”
Grace’s breath caught. “Are you leaving?”
A slow, devastatingly handsome smile spread across Matteo’s face.
He didn’t let go of her hand. In fact, he pulled it slightly closer, resting it on his thigh.
“I’m not going anywhere, Grace,” Matteo promised, his dark eyes burning with absolute certainty. “Unless you tell me to.”
Grace looked around the table. Her father was laughing. Lily was giggling with her mother. Her family was whole, safe, and happy.
She looked back at Matteo, the man who had walked into her pantry and rewritten her entire world.
She picked up the silver bracelet with her free hand and slid it onto her wrist. It fit perfectly.
“Tell the waiter to bring you a menu, Matteo,” Grace said softly, a genuine, radiant smile breaking across her face. “You’re going to be in that chair for a very long time.”
May you like
Matteo’s smile deepened. He lifted her hand and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her knuckles.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
