Chapter 10 - ASHES AND EMBERS
The aftermath was a blur of police sirens, paid-off fixers, and sterile hospital rooms.
The micro-SD card had contained enough evidence to dismantle the Marino family's Chicago foothold and completely expose Carmine’s loyalists. The Mafia Commission in New York reviewed the evidence and ruled the hit on Carmine justified.
But Alessandro didn't care about the ruling.
Three days later, I was back in my father’s jewelry shop. The door was repaired, the blood washed away. I sat at my workbench, looking at a blank piece of paper, trying to design a new piece, but my mind was blank.
The bell above the door chimed.
I didn't look up immediately. The heavy, familiar footsteps gave him away.
Alessandro stood in the doorway. His arm was in a sling, he looked exhausted, but for the first time since I had met him, the heavy, suffocating aura of the Mafia Boss was gone.
He walked to my workbench and placed a heavy leather folder on it.
“What is this?” I asked, keeping my voice guarded.
“Transfer deeds,” he said quietly. “I stepped down, Adriana. I handed the territory to Maso. The Commission accepted my resignation. I’m out.”
I finally looked up at him. The man who breathed power, who controlled the city with a whisper, had surrendered his crown.
“Why?” I whispered.
May you like
“Because sitting on a throne meant nothing if I had to break your heart to keep it,” he said, stepping closer. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it. Inside was a new ring. Not platinum and diamonds, but simple, hammered rose gold.
“I spent my life breaking things,” he said, his voice breaking. “You spend yours fixing them. I don't deserve you, Adriana. But if you let me, I want to spend the rest of my life trying to be a man worthy of standing in your light.”
