Chapter 9 - THE LAST NAME ON THE LIST
The final battle lasted eleven minutes.
When it ended, the Rossi empire was broken.
Marco was arrested.
Antonio surrendered.
Dr. Vale survived long enough to testify.
Sophia disappeared into witness protection.
And Lorenzo dismantled every illegal operation his family had built.
For the first time, the Rossi name became something different.
Not fear.
Not power.
Responsibility.
But Hunter couldn't forget Noah.
Three months later, she stood beside his grave.
The snow had begun falling.
She placed a small white flower against the stone.
“I remember you.”
Her voice trembled.
“I always will.”
Lorenzo stood several feet away.
Leo slept in his arms.
Hunter turned.
“Thank you for coming.”
“I'll always come.”
She smiled sadly.
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
He stepped closer.
Leo stirred.
Hunter touched his tiny hand.
“He looks healthy.”
“He is.”
“Good.”
Lorenzo looked at her.
“Hunter.”
“Yes?”
“I want you to come home.”
She stared.
“I don't work for you anymore.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because it's your home too.”
She didn't answer.
Lorenzo continued.
“I don't want a maid.”
Her eyes filled.
“I don't want someone who owes me anything.”
He took her hand.
“I want you.”
Hunter whispered,
“Why?”
“Because you walked into my house invisible.”
He smiled faintly.
“And somehow became the person I can't imagine my life without.”
Hunter cried.
Then Leo reached toward her.
She took him.
Lorenzo wrapped an arm around both of them.
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
Then Hunter whispered,
“Do you think Noah would have liked him?”
Lorenzo looked at Leo.
“I think he would have loved him.”
She nodded.
“So would I.”
And for the first time, the grief didn't feel like something crushing her.
May you like
It felt like something she could carry.
Together.
