Chapter 7 - The Queens of Providence
Six months later.
The grand ballroom of the Romano estate on Narragansett Bay was a vision of white roses, crystal chandeliers, and sparkling candlelight.
Hundreds of guests—politicians, business titans, judges, and high-ranking syndicate leaders from across the East Coast—mingled in formal black-tie attire, speaking in hushed, respectful tones as they raised their crystal glasses in a toast.
In the center of the grand staircase stood Chloe.
Her wedding gown was a masterpiece of French lace and silk tulle, cascading down the steps behind her like a waterfall of diamonds. Her hair was swept up in an elegant chignon, secured with a diamond-encrusted hairpiece shaped like a soaring hawk.
At the base of the stairs stood Gabriel, looking majestic in a tailored tuxedo, watching her descend with an expression of absolute, unconcealed adoration.
Beside him stood Mia, now wearing a matching miniature white flower-girl dress, holding a basket of pink rose petals and beaming ear-to-ear.
When Chloe reached the bottom of the steps, Gabriel stepped forward, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles reverently before whispering against her skin.
"You are the best thing that ever happened to the Romano family, Chloe."
"You keep saying that," she smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "Just wait until I start rearranging your office furniture."
Gabriel laughed—a rich, booming sound that made heads turn across the ballroom. It was the sound of a man who had finally found peace in the middle of a storm.
As the string quartet struck up a slow, romantic waltz, Gabriel pulled Chloe into his arms, spinning her smoothly across the gleaming marble floor.
May you like
Guests parted to make room for them, clapping respectfully, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and fear. But as Chloe looked around the room, seeing the familiar faces of loyal guards, smiling captains, and little Mia dancing near the edge of the floor with a sparkling cider glass in her hand, she didn't feel afraid of the shadows anymore.
She wasn't hiding anymore. She was the queen of them.
