Chapter 12 - THE TABLE IS SET
Three weeks later.
The private airstrip in the Bahamas was bathed in golden afternoon sunlight.
Salvatore Bellini had tried to run, using his stolen funds and corrupt federal agents to flee the country.
But Luca hadn't sent the police. He hadn't sent lawyers.
He had sent Marcus and Daniel.
Salvatore was apprehended quietly, stripped of every cent he had stolen, and handed over to a highly motivated, entirely legitimate international task force that could not be bought.
He would spend the rest of his life in a concrete cell, forgotten by the world.
The nightmare was permanently over.
Back in Chicago, the Moretti estate was bustling with a completely different kind of energy.
It was Thanksgiving.
The grand dining room was filled with the smell of roasted turkey, fresh bread, and cinnamon.
The long mahogany table was set beautifully.
Mrs. Carter was in her usual spot at the head of the table, laughing as she poured wine for my mother.
Eleanor sat on Mrs. Carter’s right, looking healthier and brighter, arguing playfully with Daniel about a crossword puzzle.
Even Chloe had called from Switzerland that morning, her voice sounding lighter, expressing genuine hope for the first time in her life.
I walked out of the kitchen, carrying a massive bowl of mashed potatoes.
I wasn't wearing a uniform.
I was wearing a beautiful emerald-green silk dress that Luca had surprised me with that morning.
I set the bowl down on the table.
"Smells incredible, sweetheart," Mrs. Carter beamed.
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest I hadn't felt since I was a child.
I turned around to head back to the kitchen, but I bumped solidly into a broad chest.
It was Luca.
He caught me by the waist, steadying me.
He looked down at me, his dark eyes scanning the green dress, a look of profound adoration on his face.
"You look beautiful," he murmured.
"Thank you," I blushed, suddenly feeling very shy in front of the family.
Luca didn't let go of my waist.
Instead, he reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small, square velvet box.
The dining room instantly fell completely silent.
Mrs. Carter covered her mouth.
My mother gasped softly.
Eleanor smiled knowingly.
My heart began to race.
"Luca," I whispered.
He opened the box.
Inside wasn't a diamond engagement ring.
It was a delicate, beautifully crafted silver necklace.
Hanging from the chain was a perfect, miniature replica of a police badge.
Engraved in the center was the number 4092.
My father's number.
"I am alive because of the sacrifices made by the people in this room," Luca said, his voice carrying the quiet, powerful command of a man who finally knew peace.
He looked at Eleanor.
"My mother, who endured hell to keep me safe."
He looked at Mrs. Carter.
"The woman who raised me with absolute kindness."
Then, he looked back down at me.
"And the woman whose father gave me a future, and who gave me back my heart."
He carefully unhooked the clasp of the necklace, stepped behind me, and fastened it around my neck.
The silver badge rested perfectly over my heart.
He leaned down and kissed the side of my neck, right below my ear, making me shiver.
"I don't need a maid, Olivia," Luca whispered for everyone to hear. "I need a partner. An equal. Someone to help me build a real family."
He turned me around to face him.
"Stay with me," he asked, a genuine question, stripped of all arrogance.
Tears of pure joy spilled over my eyelashes.
I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck, and pulled him down into a deep, passionate kiss.
The dining room erupted into applause and cheers.
Daniel whistled loudly.
Mrs. Carter wiped her eyes, raising her wineglass high in the air.
When we finally broke apart, both smiling, Luca led me to the chair directly beside his at the table.
Not the seat of a servant.
The seat of his equal.
I looked around the table.
At my mother, safe and healthy.
At Eleanor, reunited with her son.
At Mrs. Carter, adored and respected.
And at the man holding my hand under the table, his thumb tracing the back of my knuckles gently.
The plastic zip ties were gone.
The secrets were buried.
May you like
And for the first time in my life, I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Home.
