Chapter 11 - THE FINAL SUNRISE
Every head in the room turned toward me.
Luca froze, the gun still aimed at Victor’s head. His dark eyes widened in shock as he saw me standing in the doorway, out of breath and terrified.
“Emma?” Luca breathed. “What are you doing here? I told you to stay with my mother.”
“She’s alive, Luca,” I said, stepping into the room. My voice was shaking, but I forced myself to walk toward him. “She’s alive, and she’s safe in the hospital. The surgery was successful.”
The tension in Luca’s shoulders seemed to crack, just slightly. The murderous rage in his eyes flickered, replaced by a desperate, agonizing relief.
“She’s alive?” he whispered.
“Yes. But Daniel is a traitor,” I continued quickly. “He was working for Victor. We stopped him at the hospital.”
Luca’s jaw clenched, but he didn't look surprised. He simply nodded.
I stopped a few feet from him, looking down at Victor, who was groaning on the floor, bleeding profusely.
“Don't do this, Luca,” I pleaded softly, looking up into his eyes. “If you pull that trigger, you become exactly what he is. You become the monster your father was afraid of.”
“He shot my mother,” Luca repeated, his voice thick with pain.
“And she survived,” I countered. “She survived because she’s strong. But she doesn't want you to be a killer. Sophie doesn't want you to be a killer. Send him back to exile. Let the council strip him of everything. Take away his power, and he’s nothing.”
Luca stared at me for a long time.
The silence in the council room was absolute. The five bosses watched, fascinated by the young maid who had just commanded the most powerful man in their world.
Slowly, agonizingly, Luca lowered his weapon.
He looked at the council members.
“Take him,” Luca ordered, his voice ringing with absolute authority. “Send him back to Sicily. Strip him of his name, his wealth, and his associates. If he ever sets foot in America again, the Commission will execute him.”
The oldest council member nodded respectfully. “It will be done, Don Luca.”
Two guards hauled a screaming, protesting Victor off the floor, dragging him out of the room.
Luca didn't watch him go. He turned his back on his brother, holstered his weapon, and looked at me.
He didn't say a word. He just walked toward me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me into a fierce, crushing hug.
I hugged him back, burying my face in his chest, breathing in the scent of smoke, rain, and expensive cologne.
“You saved my family tonight, Emma,” Luca whispered into my hair. “You saved my mother. You saved my daughter. And you just saved my soul.”
I smiled against his shirt, tears finally spilling over my cheeks.
We walked out of the warehouse together, leaving the dark world of the syndicate behind us.
When we returned to the hospital, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm, golden glow over the city.
Sophie was asleep in a chair next to Rosa’s bed.
Rosa was awake, looking pale but peaceful. When she saw Luca walk through the door, a beautiful, exhausted smile spread across her face.
Luca sat on the edge of her bed, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.
“I’m sorry, Ma,” Luca whispered. “I should have protected you.”
“You did, my beautiful boy,” Rosa smiled, touching his cheek. “You protected all of us.”
She looked past him, her eyes settling on me.
“And you,” Rosa said softly. “Come here, Emma.”
I walked over to the other side of the bed.
Rosa reached out and took my hand. Her grip was weak, but her eyes were full of a fierce, matriarchal love.
“I told you that you weren't a maid,” Rosa said. “I was right.”
She looked at Luca, then back at me.
May you like
“You’re family now.”
TITLE: THE PROMISE IN THE GARDEN
