Chapter 9 - The Garden Awakens
By spring, the DeLuca mansion had shed every shadow of its dark past.
The closed piano in the drawing room was open once more, its mahogany keys filling the high-ceilinged halls with beautiful, flowing classical melodies as Isabella played in the afternoons. The perfume bottles in her dressing room were used daily, filling the master suite with the sweet scent of jasmine and vanilla.
Outside in the rear gardens, Bruno—now healthy, muscular, and his coat gleaming black—chased a red ball across the green lawn, his tail wagging furiously as Emma ran alongside him, giggling under the bright afternoon sun.
Lorenzo stood on the marble terrace, holding a glass of lemonade, watching his wife walk down the stone steps toward the garden.
Mason walked up beside him, holding a light tablet. "Victor Vance’s trial concluded this morning, Boss. Guaranteed thirty-five years without parole at ADX Florence. The Chicago Outfit has completely pulled out of the state."
"Good," Lorenzo said softly, taking a sip of his drink. "And the freight district?"
"The family bought the entire rail yard last week," Mason reported with a smile. "Construction begins next month on the Isabella DeLuca Community Center and Children's Shelter."
Lorenzo smiled—a genuine, warm smile that reached his dark eyes. "Thank you, Mason."
"Enjoy your afternoon, Boss," Mason said, bowing slightly before returning to the security office.
May you like
Lorenzo walked down the steps into the garden. Bruno trotted over, dropping the muddy red ball at his feet, letting out a soft, happy bark. Lorenzo leaned down, scratching the dog behind his ears right beside the worn brown collar with its bent iron ring.
"Good boy, Bruno," Lorenzo murmured.
