Chapter 6 - The Garden in Bloom
Six months later, North Clark Street was alive with the warm golden light of early summer.
The brass bell above Sullivan’s Flowers chimed happily as neighborhood residents walked past the freshly painted storefront. Inside, the shop had been completely restored and expanded. A brand-new, state-of-the-art walk-in cooler filled with rare, imported blooms sat along the back wall, framed by elegant mahogany wood paneling.
Maggie stood at her main workbench, wearing a clean linen apron, arranging a gorgeous bouquet of white ranunculus, dark red garden roses, and wild eucalyptus.
A pair of strong arms wrapped gently around her waist from behind, pulling her back against a broad, warm chest.
Vincent pressed a soft kiss against her neck, his scent—sandalwood, fresh air, and expensive leather—instantly relaxing her shoulders.
“You’re late,” Maggie said, leaning back against him with a contented smile. “The morning shipment from Holland arrived an hour ago.”
“I had a meeting with the city council,” Vincent murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder. “We finalized the purchase of the old rail yard site. Construction on the community botanical park begins next month.”
Maggie turned in his arms, looking up into his dark, relaxed eyes.
Over the past six months, Chicago’s underworld had undergone a quiet, profound revolution. With Jimmy in federal prison and the rival syndicates dismantled, Vincent had systematically transitioned his family’s assets into legitimate real estate, maritime logistics, and green infrastructure developments. He was still the most powerful man in the city, but he was no longer a Don hiding in the shadows.
He was a man building a future.
“And my contract for the park’s landscape design?” Maggie teased, tapping his suit lapel.
Vincent reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a heavy cream-colored envelope. He laid it on the workbench beside her clippers.
“Signed this morning,” Vincent smiled. “Though the head of the development board demanded some custom conditions.”
Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? What conditions?”
Vincent stepped closer, his dark eyes shining with endless warmth, love, and devotion. He reached into his pocket once more, pulling out a small black velvet ring box. He opened it, revealing a magnificent emerald-cut diamond ring set in a band carved with delicate, vintage leaf patterns.
“Condition one,” Vincent whispered, taking her right hand in his. “The lead designer must agree to marry the developer.”
Maggie’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes filling with happy tears.
“Condition two,” Vincent continued, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. “She must promise never to throw garden shears at his bodyguards again.”
Maggie let out a breathless, beautiful laugh, wiping a tear from her cheek as she threw her arms around his neck.
“And condition three?” she whispered against his lips.
Vincent pulled her tight against his heart, kissing her deeply, passionately, as the summer breeze drifted through the open door of the flower shop.
“Condition three,” Vincent murmured against her mouth, “he gets to love her for the rest of his life.”
May you like
Maggie smiled through her kiss, holding him tight.
“Agreed,” she whispered. “Now hand me the receipt... because you still have to pay for the roses.”
