Chapter 9 - The Mafia Empire Fell—And Dominic Asked the One Question Elena Never Expected
Months passed.
The trial began.
The Crane name became synonymous with scandal.
Lucian testified.
Marcus confessed.
Silas faced federal charges.
Isabel entered witness protection but chose to remain near Elena and Noah.
And Elena?
She went back to work.
Not because she had to.
Because she wanted normal.
The Blue Lantern reopened.
Dominic visited every morning.
At first, Elena teased him.
“You know you own restaurants.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you keep eating here?”
He smiled.
“Because the coffee is terrible.”
She laughed.
“And?”
“Because you're here.”
One snowy evening, Dominic asked Elena to walk outside.
There were lights strung across the diner.
Noah stood with Isabel.
Mrs. Patterson was there too.
Dominic got down on one knee.
Elena covered her mouth.
“No.”
He smiled.
“That sounds like a rejection.”
She laughed through tears.
“I mean no, I can't believe you're doing this.”
He opened the ring box.
“I spent my entire life surrounded by people who wanted something from me.”
He looked at her.
“You were the first person who wanted nothing.”
“That isn't true.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I want a new coffee machine.”
He laughed.
“Then we'll negotiate.”
Elena looked at the ring.
Then at Noah.
Then at her mother.
For the first time in years, she saw the future instead of the past.
“Yes.”
Dominic stood.
The kiss they shared was interrupted by Noah shouting:
“Does this mean Dominic gets to stay?”
Everyone laughed.
Elena looked at Dominic.
“I suppose he does.”
May you like
He smiled.
“I'm not going anywhere.”
