Chapter 7 - The Trial That Exposed Everything
Vincent's trial became one of the biggest criminal cases the city had ever seen.
Records surfaced.
Bribes.
Disappearances.
Blackmail.
Corruption.
The Russo family empire crumbled.
Dominic surrendered control of the criminal side of the organization.
He turned over warehouses and businesses.
He sold legitimate holdings.
He paid employees fairly.
And he walked away from the life that had defined him.
People expected him to become weak.
He didn't.
He became different.
Stronger.
Matteo recovered.
He moved into a small house near the lake.
Maya visited him every Sunday.
They had twenty-seven years to catch up on.
Sometimes they talked.
Sometimes they simply ate dinner together.
One afternoon, Matteo asked Maya about Dominic.
She smiled.
"He's learning how to be normal."
Matteo laughed.
"How is that going?"
"Terribly."
"He loves you."
Maya looked at him.
"I know."
Meanwhile, Dominic had opened a security company.
It employed former members of his organization who wanted legitimate lives.
He refused to carry a weapon unless absolutely necessary.
He learned to cook.
Badly.
Maya teased him relentlessly.
One evening, he prepared dinner.
She took one bite.
"What is this?"
"Chicken."
"This is a crime."
He laughed.
"I tried."
"You murdered the chicken twice."
He smiled.
"I'll order pizza."
She kissed him.
"Better."
Three months later, Dominic took her back to the Obsidian Room.
The staff went silent when he entered.
Henry nearly dropped a tray.
Luis smiled.
Maya looked around.
"Nothing changed."
Dominic glanced at her.
"Everything changed."
They sat at booth nine.
The same place where they had first met.
The same marble.
The same chandelier.
But this time Maya wasn't wearing an apron.
She wore a dark blue dress.
Dominic held her hand.
"You remember the first thing I said about you?"
"That I looked tired?"
"Yes."
"You were rude."
"I was."
"And arrogant."
"Yes."
"And cruel."
"Yes."
She smiled.
"You were lucky I didn't throw the water pitcher at you."
"I know."
He took a small box from his pocket.
Maya stared.
"Dominic."
He opened it.
Inside was a simple ring.
"No."
His face fell.
She laughed.
"I mean no, you don't get to do this without asking."
He smiled.
Then he stood.
In the middle of the restaurant.
He dropped to one knee.
Everyone turned.
"Maya Elena Russo."
She began to cry.
"You walked into my life when I thought I was incapable of becoming anything other than my father's son."
He took her hand.
"You taught me that power isn't making people afraid of you."
He breathed in.
"It's making them feel safe when you're near."
Maya covered her mouth.
"Will you marry me?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
The restaurant erupted in applause.
Luis yelled from the kitchen.
"About time!"
Henry cried.
Maya laughed.
Dominic slipped the ring onto her finger.
May you like
Then he kissed her.
For the first time, the Obsidian Room felt less like a place built for powerful people and more like a place where two people had finally escaped their past.
