Chapter 42
Over the next few months, the Falcone estate thrived in a state of unshakeable, heavily fortified peace. The cinematic, bright sunlight poured over the lush green gardens, creating a pristine sanctuary for four-year-old Ruby. Domenico frequently stood on his private stone balcony, watching Evelyn read to his daughter on the manicured lawn. The deep, romantic strands of his dark hair shifted in the warm breeze as a rare, genuine sense of tranquility settled over his deeply masculine frame. Evelyn was exceptional. She treated Ruby with a fierce, unwavering devotion that went far beyond the duties of a hired tutor. Her crisp American accent carried softly across the courtyard as she guided the little girl through her lessons. Domenico’s sharply defined jawline relaxed. The cold, sociopathic detachment that he used to rule the criminal underworld entirely evaporated when he looked at them. For the first time since he had violently seized absolute control of the city, the apex predator felt the icy walls around his heart begin to thaw. He had burned rival syndicates to ashes to protect his bloodline, but looking at Evelyn’s fair, rosy cheeks as she smiled at Ruby, Domenico realized his empire was missing a queen.
