Chapter 5 - The Vow in the Library
After the attack, Dominic moved swiftly and ruthlessly.
Within forty-eight hours, Salvatore Moretti’s syndicate in Brooklyn was completely dismantled, its leaders arrested or driven out of the state. Dominic solidified his control over the city, ensuring that no one would ever dare challenge his domain—or his household—again.
Three days after the raid, the brownstone was restored to its quiet, peaceful state.
I was standing near the large bay window in the library, watching the sunset cast golden light over Riverside Park.
Footsteps sounded behind me. Dominic walked into the room, wearing a tailored charcoal suit, looking as majestic and commanding as the night I had first seen him in the diner. But when his eyes met mine, his sharp expression melted into pure warmth.
"The city is quiet now, Maya," Dominic said softly, walking over to stand beside me at the window. "You are completely safe. You can go anywhere you want. You can travel, build your art studio... anything."
I turned to look at him, searching his dark eyes. "Are you telling me to leave, Dominic?"
Dominic paused, his throat moving as he swallowed hard. The powerful mafia boss, who had brought entire criminal empires to their knees without flinching, looked suddenly vulnerable before me.
"I am telling you that you are free," Dominic whispered, taking my hands in his. "I never brought you here to keep you prisoner. But... if you choose to stay..."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box, opening it to reveal a magnificent, emerald-cut diamond ring that caught the golden sunlight.
"Dominic..." I gasped softly, tears welling in my eyes.
"I love you, Maya," Dominic declared, his deep voice rich with absolute devotion. "I have loved you since the night you walked into my diner with a smile despite the hard world on your shoulders. I want to build a life with you. A real life. A safe life."
Tears spilled over my cheeks—not tears of pain or fear, but tears of overwhelming, pure joy.
May you like
"I'm not going anywhere, Dominic," I wept, throwing my arms around his neck. "I chose you the night you gave me your handkerchief."
Dominic let out a long breath of relief, lifting me off my feet and swinging me around in the golden light of the library, pressing a deep, passionate kiss against my lips—a kiss that tasted of freedom, security, and everlasting love.
