Chapter 10 - The Life We Choose
Dominic turned around slowly, his brow furrowed in genuine surprise. "Emma... you have a clean slate. You can have a normal life. A safe life."
I stood up from the bench, walking to the edge of the porch steps until I was looking down into his eyes.
"For six years, I lived a 'normal' life, Dominic," I said softly. "I worked seventy hours a week. I starved so my daughter could have medicine. I lived in fear of landlords, utility bills, and cracked heat pipes. I was completely invisible."
I took a step down, standing right in front of him.
"In the last three weeks, I saw a man who would throw himself into a hail of gunfire to protect my child," I continued, reaching out to gently touch the lapel of his sweater. "I saw a man who keeps his word, who honors his debts, and who looked at a tired diner maid like she was the most valuable person in the room."
Dominic looked at my hand on his chest, his breath catching in his throat. "Emma... my world is dangerous. There will always be shadows."
"Then we stand in the shadows together," I whispered. "Unless you want me to leave."
Dominic stared at me for a long, breathtaking moment. The hard, unyielding crime boss vanished, replaced by the man whose life I had saved on that wet pavement three weeks ago.
He reached up, his long, warm fingers cupping my jawline, lifting my face toward his.
"I will never let anyone hurt you, Emma," he swore softly, his dark eyes burning with an absolute, unshakeable devotion. "Not as long as I draw breath."
He leaned down and kissed me—a slow, deep, powerful kiss that tasted of rain, ocean salt, and new beginnings.
Behind us, Lily came running across the lawn, the golden retriever bouncing at her heels, her laughter filling the sunlit gardens of the Salvatore estate.
I pulled back slightly, resting my forehead against Dominic’s chest as he wrapped his broad arms around my waist.
May you like
For the first time in my life, I wasn't running. I wasn't afraid.
I was finally home.
