Chapter 5 - THE MAFIA QUEENTwo months later.
The Rossi Estate was no longer a cold, silent fortress of shadows.
The heavy blackout curtains had been pulled back, letting brilliant golden sunlight flood through the tall arched windows. The sound of classical music played softly through the grand halls, mixed with the happy babbling of three-month-old Leo, who had grown chubby, healthy, and full of life.
I stood in the grand dressing room on the third floor, wearing an exquisite emerald-green silk gown that hugged my curves perfectly. My hair was styled in elegant waves, a delicate diamond necklace resting against my collarbone—a gift from Lorenzo.
In the mirror behind me, Lorenzo stepped into the frame.
He wore a tailored black tuxedo, looking impeccably handsome. He walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder as we looked at our reflection in the mirror.
"You look breathtaking, my Queen," Lorenzo murmured, kissing the sensitive spot beneath my ear.
"I still can't believe this is real," I smiled, turning in his arms to fix his bowtie. "Two months ago, I was wearing a grey maid's uniform and cleaning your floorboards."
"And tonight," Lorenzo said, his eyes burning with pride, "you walk into the National Syndicate Gala as my official fiancee."
A month ago, on a private yacht off the Amalfi coast, Lorenzo had dropped to one knee with a five-carat black diamond ring, asking me to be his wife, his partner, and the official mother of his son. I had said yes without a second's hesitation.
"Is Leo ready?" I asked.
"Dr. Chen and six armed guards are staying with him in the nursery," Lorenzo assured me, taking my hand. "He's fast asleep after his evening feed."
We walked down the grand marble staircase hand in hand.
Standing at the bottom of the stairs were thirty high-ranking bosses, lieutenants, and soldiers of the Rossi family, including Gino. As Lorenzo and I descended, every single man bowed his head in deep, absolute respect.
Gino stepped forward, holding a silver tray with two glasses of champagne.
"Don Lorenzo," Gino barked respectfully. "The cars are ready. The syndicate heads from New York, Chicago, and Miami have all arrived at the venue. They are waiting to meet the woman who brought the Rossi family back to life."
Lorenzo took a glass, handing it to me, and raised his own.
"To Elena," Lorenzo declared, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "The light of the Rossi estate. The mother of my heir. My wife."
"To Lady Elena!" the thirty men roared in unison, slamming their glasses together in celebration.
May you like
I smiled, taking a sip of the champagne, feeling a profound, deep sense of belonging wash over me. The girl who had been pushed down the stairs, who had been left broken and bleeding in a cheap apartment, was gone.
In her place stood a woman who had fought through hell, saved a prince, and won the heart of a king.
