Chapter 15 - The Unbreakable Rule
That evening, the chalet was filled with warmth, light, and the loud, joyous sounds of a real family.
Tommy sat at the long wooden dining table, looking healthier than he had in three years. His hair was starting to grow back in soft dark curls, his cheeks flushed with color as he devoured a massive plate of traditional Swiss fondue that Leo had spent three hours helping the local chef prepare.
"I'm telling you, Clara," Tommy laughed, gesturing with his fork toward Liam, who sat at the head of the table. "Liam promised he'd take me skiing in St. Moritz as soon as the doctor clears my bone density tests!"
"Not until the doctor clears you, kid," Liam said with a faint smirk, raising his glass of red wine. "Your sister will cut my other leg off if I let you break a bone."
"She would," Leo chimed in from the end of the table, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I've seen her with a scalpel, Tommy. Don't test her."
The room erupted into easy, comfortable laughter.
I sat beside Liam, my hand resting under the table on his thigh. His long fingers interwoven with mine, holding fast, his thumb tracing slow, comforting circles against my skin.
Later that night, after Tommy had fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep in his bedroom upstairs and Leo had retired to the guest house, Liam and I stood together in the dark living room.
The wide glass walls overlooked the valley, where the twinkling lights of Zurich glittered like fallen stars against the dark mountain canvas.
Liam reached out, grabbing the pull-cord of the heavy velvet curtains that framed the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
He turned to look at me, a dark, playful spark dancing in his icy blue eyes.
"Rule number one of the Mercer house," Liam said softly, his voice echoing in the quiet room. "Never touch the blinds."
I smiled, stepping up to him, taking the cord out of his hand and dropping it onto the floor.
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"I broke that rule on day one, Mercer," I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling his face down to mine. "And it was the best decision I ever made."
Liam wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me off my feet, his mouth meeting mine in the dark, warm room filled with sunlight, life, and a love that no mafia war could ever break.
