Chapter 17 - The Departure That Wasn'tLater that afternoon, Elena packed her briefcase in the twentieth-floor suite.
She had her father's promise that they would leave Chicago for a quiet coastal town in Maine as soon as he was discharged. The safe path was open. She was free to walk away from the syndicate, the guns, and the dark, dangerous world of Dante Moretti.
So why did her chest feel so heavy?
A knock sounded at the door.
Elena opened it to find Dante standing there, holding a single black velvet box.
"Leaving so soon?" Dante asked, his voice unusually quiet.
"My father's booked our flights," Elena said, trying to keep her voice steady. "We're going home, Dante. Back to normal life."
Dante stepped into the room, holding out the small velvet box. He opened it to reveal a stunning antique diamond ring set in platinum—an heirloom from his mother's family.
"Normal is overrated, Elena," Dante murmured, stepping closer. "And you belong here. With me."
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Elena stared at the ring, her heart pounding. "Dante... you're a mafia boss. I'm an auditor. This world—"
"—is yours if you want it," Dante interrupted softly, taking her hand. "You walked into my office ten minutes late with blood on your shoe, and you completely upended my entire empire. I'm not letting you walk away."
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