Chapter 8 - The Falling Barriers
By noon the following day, the storm had cleared completely over Chicago.
The federal raid on the Rostova syndicate was the largest in Illinois history. Guided by the decrypted ledger provided by Dominic and Emily, federal agents arrested forty-two high-ranking cartel operatives, three city officials, and seized over two hundred million dollars in illegal assets.
Viktor Rostova was currently in federal custody at a secure military hospital, facing charges that would keep him behind bars for the rest of his natural life.
In the master suite of the Vale Estate, sunlight streamed through tall glass windows, warming the mahogany floors.
Emily sat on the edge of the large bed, carefully applying medical gauze and antibiotic ointment to the wound on Dominic’s shoulder. He was sitting shirtless before her, his massive chest covered in old battle scars, his dark eyes watching her every movement with intense fascination.
"You have good hands," Dominic murmured, his voice low and intimate.
"I finished three years of nursing school, Dominic," Emily said softly, taping the bandage down. "I know how to dress a cut."
"You belong in medicine," Dominic said firmly. "Tomorrow, my legal team is reinstating your enrollment at Loyola University. Full scholarship. Whatever clinic or hospital you want to build after you graduate, Vale Atlantic will fund it."
Emily stopped, looking at him in astonishment. "Dominic... that's millions of dollars."
"You saved my daughters, Emily," Dominic said, reaching out and pulling her onto his lap. His large hands rested possessively on her waist. "You saved my life in that vault. Millions of dollars is nothing compared to what you've given me."
Emily rested her hand against his broad chest, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm of his heart beneath her palm.
"I lost everything two nights ago, Dominic," she admitted softly. "My diner job. My tiny apartment. My mother's photos."
Dominic reached onto the nightstand and picked up a small leather box. He opened it and presented it to her.
Inside sat her mother's silver cremation urn—completely intact, unblemished by the fire that had gutted her apartment.
Emily gasped, covering her mouth as tears filled her eyes. "How...?"
"My men pulled it from the ashes before the fire department even arrived," Dominic whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "I protect what is precious to the people I love."
Emily looked into his eyes. The word love hung in the air between them, sweet, heavy, and undeniable.
"You love me?" Emily asked, her voice a breathy whisper.
Dominic leaned down, his lips brushing against hers. "I knew I loved you the moment my six-year-old daughter crawled out from under a booth and told me you stood between her and the wolf. You brought warmth back into a cold, ruthless house, Emily. You gave my daughters a mother's touch, and you gave me a reason to fight for something beyond power."
He held her face in both of his hands.
"I love you, Emily Parker. And if you will have me, I want you to make this fortress your home."
Emily didn't answer with words. She threw her arms around his broad neck and kissed him with all the passion, devotion, and gratitude in her heart.
The door to the master bedroom clicked open.
Lily and Grace stood in the doorway, holding two plates of somewhat lopsided grilled cheese sandwiches.
"Daddy!" Grace giggled. "Are you kissing Emily?"
Lily skipped into the room, setting the plate on the nightstand. "We made lunch! Dr. Vance helped us cut the crusts off!"
Dominic laughed, pulling both girls up onto the massive bed beside Emily.
Grace snuggled against Emily's side, wrapping her small arms around Emily's waist. "Does this mean Emily is our new Mommy?"
May you like
Emily looked at Dominic, then down at the two beautiful, healthy girls who had changed her destiny forever.
"Yes, sweetheart," Emily whispered, kissing Grace's blond hair. "It means I'm not going anywhere."
