Chapter 8 - The Woman Who Chose Him
Caitlyn did not answer immediately.
Deari waited.
For once in his life, he did not try to control the outcome.
“You don't have to say yes,” he said.
She looked at the ring.
“You bought this already?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Months ago.”
Her eyes widened.
“You were planning to propose?”
“I was planning to stop pretending I could imagine my life without you.”
She laughed softly.
“That is the most unromantic romantic thing I've ever heard.”
“It is the truth.”
She took his hand.
“I want the truth.”
Then she kissed him.
“Yes.”
Their wedding was small.
No extravagant ballroom.
No political connections.
No syndicate theater.
Just family, close friends, and a handful of people Deari actually trusted.
Tommy was the ring bearer.
Luigi cried and denied it.
Margaret sat in the front row.
When Caitlyn walked down the aisle, Deari looked like the world had stopped.
After the ceremony, they moved into a quiet house outside Manhattan.
Deari still ran Hamilton Enterprises.
But now most of his work was legitimate.
Caitlyn became executive director of the family foundation.
She built programs for children in long-term care.
Tommy moved closer.
Margaret finally opened the bookstore she had dreamed about for years.
For a while, peace seemed real.
Then a letter arrived.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph.
Richard Voss.
Alive.
Standing outside a courthouse.
Deari stared at it.
“He's back.”
Caitlyn took a breath.
“What does he want?”
“I don't know.”
The letter contained six words.
THE EMPIRE ISN'T YOURS YET.
Deari burned it.
But he did not sleep that night.
Caitlyn found him in the study.
“He wants you afraid.”
“He wants me distracted.”
“What are you thinking?”
“That maybe Richard was never the final enemy.”
She crossed the room.
“Then we face whoever comes next.”
He looked at her.
“You're not scared?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you still here?”
“Because I love you.”
Deari smiled.
“And because you are impossible.”
May you like
She smiled back.
“Exactly.”
