Chapter 9 - The Mafia Boss Who Had Lost Everything Finally Asked Her the One Question She Was Waiting For
Silas recovered slowly.
He hated being in bed.
He hated needing help.
Sadie enjoyed every second of bossing him around.
“Medicine.”
“I took it.”
“You were supposed to take it twenty minutes ago.”
“I was busy.”
“Doing what?”
“Staring at you.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Terrible excuse.”
He smiled.
After the trial, Victor was sentenced.
Silas walked away from the old organization completely.
He kept enough legitimate businesses to support his employees.
Nothing more.
He and Sadie moved into a smaller house near the river.
It had a porch.
A garden.
Two bedrooms.
A kitchen big enough for baking.
And a glass jar filled with lemon candies.
One evening, Sadie came home exhausted.
Silas was cooking.
She stopped in the doorway.
“Are you cooking?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Soup.”
“Why?”
“Because you're tired.”
She smiled.
“You're learning.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Sit.”
They ate together.
After dinner, Silas became strangely quiet.
Sadie noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“That's a lie.”
He reached into his pocket.
A small velvet box appeared.
Sadie stared.
“No.”
He smiled.
“Maybe.”
“You're proposing?”
“I haven't asked yet.”
She laughed.
“Okay.”
He stood.
Then unexpectedly, he looked nervous.
Silas Mercer.
The man who had once ordered entire rooms into silence.
Nervous.
He took her hand.
“I don't know how to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Be happy.”
Her eyes filled.
“But I know I am.”
He dropped to one knee.
“I don't want to own you.”
“You never did.”
“I don't want to protect you by controlling you.”
“Good.”
“I don't want to give you a life that looks impressive.”
She smiled.
“I don't care.”
“I want a small house.”
“I like this one.”
“A bakery.”
“We have one.”
“Children.”
She froze.
He laughed softly.
“Eventually.”
Sadie covered her mouth.
He held up the ring.
“I want ordinary mornings.”
Her eyes filled.
“Lemon candy.”
“Yes.”
“Burnt toast.”
“Absolutely.”
“And you.”
“Especially me.”
She laughed and cried at the same time.
“Yes.”
Silas slipped the ring onto her finger.
He stood.
She kissed him.
Long.
Slow.
Without fear.
Their wedding took place the following spring.
Not in a cathedral.
Not in a mansion.
In the backyard of Lemon & Honey.
Thirty guests.
Gideon gave the speech.
He said:
“I've known Silas for seventeen years. For most of that time, I was certain the man would die holding a gun.”
Everyone laughed.
Gideon looked at Sadie.
“Then she gave him a lemon candy.”
More laughter.
Silas shook his head.
Sadie leaned against him.
Gideon raised his glass.
“And somehow, that was enough.”
They danced beneath string lights.
Silas whispered:
“I thought I'd never have this.”
She looked at him.
“Neither did I.”
He kissed her.
And for once, nothing bad happened afterward.
No gunfire.
No threats.
No betrayal.
Just music.
May you like
Laughter.
And two people finally free.
