Chapter 9 - The Man Who Chose Love Over Power
Kane survived.
He went to trial.
Marco testified.
Dominic testified.
Gabriel testified.
Vivian testified.
Elena testified.
Adrian testified.
The case became one of the largest organized-crime prosecutions Chicago had ever seen.
Kane was sentenced to multiple life terms.
But Adrian faced a different battle.
His inheritance.
His criminal empire.
His father's businesses.
His uncle's operations.
Everything.
The government wanted him to cooperate.
Adrian agreed.
He dismantled the criminal side of his organization.
Sold properties.
Closed illegal accounts.
Turned evidence over.
Became a witness.
It cost him billions.
He didn't care.
Vivian watched him do it.
One night, months after the trial, she asked:
“Do you regret losing everything?”
Adrian looked at her.
“I didn't lose everything.”
She smiled.
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes.”
He took her hand.
“I had money.”
“I know.”
“Power.”
“I know.”
“Fear.”
“I know.”
He lifted her fingers to his lips.
“But I didn't have peace.”
She leaned toward him.
“And now?”
“Now I have you.”
The silence felt warm.
Then Adrian reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a small box.
Vivian laughed.
“You're not serious.”
“I've never been more serious.”
She opened it.
Inside was the silver coin.
The two halves had been fused together.
The number seven was still visible.
“What does it mean?”
“Seven was the number of the first family alliance.”
He took her hand.
“I don't want an arranged marriage.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
“I don't want a business alliance.”
“Good.”
“I don't want a mafia queen.”
She laughed.
“What do you want?”
He looked into her eyes.
“You.”
She swallowed.
“That's a terrible proposal.”
“I haven't proposed yet.”
He dropped to one knee.
Vivian covered her mouth.
“Adrian…”
“I spent my life believing power was the only thing that kept people safe.”
He opened the box.
“I was wrong.”
He looked up at her.
“You make me want a life that doesn't need guards.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“A life where mornings are boring.”
She laughed through them.
“A life where our biggest argument is over coffee.”
He smiled.
“And a life where you kiss me because you want to.”
Vivian knelt in front of him.
“Yes.”
He stared.
“That wasn't very dramatic.”
“You already kidnapped me once.”
“Technically rescued.”
She kissed him.
“Then rescue me again.”
He kissed her.
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For the first time, Adrian DeLuca was not a mafia boss.
He was simply a man in love.
