Chapter 10 - THE GOLD BRACELET MEANT I WAS FAMILY
Three months later.
The Louisiana spring had brought the gardens of the Orsini estate into full, brilliant bloom.
The French doors of the formal dining room were thrown open, letting the warm, jasmine-scented breeze sweep through the house.
The long table, covered in crisp white linen, was not surrounded by fourteen silent, calculating mobsters.
It was set for three.
Nell stood near the window, looking out over the manicured lawns.
She wore a simple, elegant cream-colored dress.
Her hands were no longer rough from scrubbing floors. They were soft, though she still spent hours every week in the kitchens of her newly reclaimed restaurants, perfecting her father’s recipes.
She was the CEO of the Fontaine Culinary Group.
She had rebranded every single restaurant Bellarose had stolen. The flagship location downtown was opening next week, and the reservations were booked solid for a year.
The heavy dining room doors opened.
Odette walked in, carrying a silver tray.
The housekeeper did not look at Nell with disdain. She looked at her with profound, unwavering respect.
Odette placed a crystal pitcher of water on the table.
“The chef is preparing the main course, Miss Fontaine. Is there anything else you require?”
Nell smiled warmly at the older woman.
“No, Odette. Thank you. It looks perfect.”
Odette bowed her head slightly and left the room.
A moment later, Carmine walked in.
He had just returned from the port. He had successfully transitioned all of the Orsini shipping contracts into legitimate, clean logistics operations. The criminal empire of his father’s generation was officially dismantled.
He walked straight to Nell, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and pressing a soft kiss to her neck.
“You smell like vanilla and power,” Carmine murmured against her skin.
Nell leaned back against his solid chest, laughing softly.
“And you smell like expensive coffee and exhaust fumes.”
Carmine turned her around in his arms.
He looked into her eyes, the severe, intimidating mafia boss completely replaced by a man deeply, fiercely in love.
“Your father is resting comfortably in the sunroom,” Carmine said softly.
“He told Benny a joke about a priest and a baker. Benny didn't understand it, but he laughed anyway.”
Nell smiled, though a bittersweet sadness touched her eyes.
Emmett’s dementia was progressing, but he was happy, safe, and surrounded by love in his final days.
“Thank you, Carmine. For everything you’ve done for him.”
Carmine reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small, flat box.
“I didn't do it for gratitude, Nell.”
He opened the box.
Inside was a delicate, solid gold bracelet.
It was a perfect match to the signet ring he wore on his hand. The Orsini crest, intertwined with the silver Fontaine vines.
Nell gasped softly.
“Carmine…”
“My father had the ring made,” Carmine said quietly, taking the bracelet out.
“I had this made for you.”
He gently took her wrist—the same wrist that had held the heavy silver serving tray three months ago—and clasped the gold bracelet around it.
“You are not a guest in this house, Nell. You are not an employee.”
He looked deep into her eyes.
“You are my family. You are my partner. And I want you to be my wife.”
Tears spilled over Nell’s cheeks.
She didn't hesitate. She didn't second-guess the man who had fought a war to bring her into the light.
“Yes,” she whispered, throwing her arms around his neck. “Yes, Carmine.”
May you like
He caught her, spinning her gently in the sunlight pouring through the doors, burying his face in her hair.
TITLE: THE PECAN PIE WAS SERVED AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE
