Chapter 7 - The Night Roman Chose a Different Life
The bullet had missed Roman's heart.
The doctor removed it.
He was back on his feet within days.
Mave was furious.
“You need to rest.”
“I am resting.”
“You're standing.”
“I can rest standing.”
“That doesn't count.”
Roman smiled.
“You've become bossy.”
“You've become reckless.”
“You always liked me reckless.”
“I liked you alive.”
He grew quiet.
“I intend to stay that way.”
After Vincenzo's arrest, the Costa organization began collapsing.
Roman made a decision no one expected.
He walked away.
He sold legitimate businesses.
He shut down illicit operations.
He turned evidence over to authorities.
He surrendered control.
People thought he had gone insane.
Mave understood.
He had finally decided he did not want to inherit his father's sins.
The trust was restored.
The money was placed in a legal foundation for victims of organized crime and their families.
Mave gave her share to the foundation.
Roman matched it.
Victoria testified.
Hector's son was rescued.
The threats stopped.
The diner flourished.
Then one afternoon, Roman walked in carrying a suit bag.
“What is that?”
“Clothes.”
“I can see that.”
“For tomorrow.”
“What's tomorrow?”
“Your birthday.”
Mave blinked.
“You remembered?”
“I remember everything.”
He handed her the bag.
Inside was a beautiful green dress.
“I can't afford this.”
“You don't have to.”
“I don't want expensive.”
“It's not expensive.”
She checked the label.
“It is very expensive.”
Roman smiled.
“Wear it anyway.”
The next evening, he took her somewhere unexpected.
The diner.
It had been decorated.
Lights.
Flowers.
People she loved.
Her mother had traveled from Ohio.
Hector was wearing a jacket.
Even Victoria was there.
Mave stared.
“What did you do?”
Roman stepped forward.
“Nothing.”
Then he dropped to one knee.
Mave's mouth opened.
The room erupted.
He held out a ring.
“I spent most of my life thinking power meant controlling everything.”
His voice shook.
“Then I met you.”
Mave covered her mouth.
“You told me you weren't my type.”
She laughed through tears.
“You weren't.”
He smiled.
“I'm glad.”
“Why?”
“Because I was looking for the wrong thing.”
He held out the ring.
“I don't want perfect.”
“I don't want beautiful because people say beautiful.”
“I don't want obedient.”
“I want you.”
Mave cried.
Roman continued.
“You gave me a life I didn't know I wanted.”
He swallowed.
“So I'm asking you to give me the rest.”
Mave nodded.
“Yes.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
The entire diner cheered.
Her mother cried.
Hector cried.
Even Victoria wiped her eyes.
Roman stood.
Mave kissed him.
When they separated, she whispered.
“You realize I'm still a size sixteen.”
“I know.”
“You still think I'm difficult.”
“Absolutely.”
“You still have terrible taste in coffee.”
“Yes.”
May you like
She smiled.
“Then we're good.”
