Chapter 10 - THE DIAMOND BRACELET
Six months later.
The autumn leaves in Chicago had turned brilliant shades of gold and crimson.
I sat in the passenger seat of Dominic’s restored vintage Mustang as we cruised along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Life had changed drastically.
The Russo syndicate was gone, replaced by a legitimate empire of construction and real estate. Anthony was a father now—a beautiful baby girl named Roberta, after the uncle who had loved him.
Dominic’s mother was living comfortably in the newly renovated east wing of the estate, surrounded by family, nurses, and the sunlight she had been denied for two decades.
Dominic shifted gears, his hand resting comfortably on the center console.
He glanced at me and smiled.
“You’re quiet today,” he noted.
“Just thinking,” I said, watching the water sparkle. “About how different everything is.”
“Good different?”
“Very good different.”
Dominic pulled the car over at a scenic overlook. The city skyline rose majestically in the distance.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to face me.
He reached into the inner pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a long, narrow velvet box.
“Dominic, you didn't have to,” I said, my cheeks warming.
“I wanted to,” he insisted, opening the lid.
Inside rested a stunning diamond tennis bracelet, glittering in the afternoon sun.
But it wasn't just jewelry.
Engraved on the small silver clasp were three letters.
Not R.R.C.
S.M.R.
Sarah Mitchell Russo.
I looked up at him, my breath catching in my throat.
“Russo?” I whispered.
Dominic took the bracelet and gently clasped it around my wrist. His touch was warm and steady.
“You ripped a mask off my face and woke me up, Sarah,” Dominic said, his voice thick with emotion. “Not just from the apnea. From the life I was trapped in. I don't want to spend another day without you.”
He looked into my eyes, stripping away all the armor he had worn his entire life.
“Marry me.”
Tears of absolute joy spilled over my eyelashes.
I didn't need to think about it.
“Yes,” I laughed, throwing my arms around his neck. “Yes, absolutely.”
May you like
Dominic held me tight against his chest, burying his face in my hair.
For the first time in a long time, neither of us had to worry about the shadows.
