Chapter 9 - The Last Man at the TableVictor had been hiding beneath Chicago for three months.
He knew every tunnel.
Every abandoned property.
Every forgotten access route.
But Serena knew Bellvita.
She knew the old building better than anyone.
She remembered the smell of the cellar.
The hidden door near the kitchen.
The room behind the wine storage.
That was where she found him.
Victor pointed a gun at her.
“You ruined everything.”
Serena stood still.
“You did that yourself.”
“You stole Duca from me.”
“I never belonged to him.”
Victor laughed.
“You think he loves you?”
“Yes.”
“He'll destroy you.”
“No.”
She looked directly at him.
“He changed because he loved me.”
Victor sneered.
“People don't change.”
A voice came from behind him.
“Some do.”
Lorenzo.
Victor spun.
Lorenzo entered slowly.
“You.”
“Yes.”
Victor fired.
Lorenzo moved.
Marco fired from the opposite doorway.
The gun flew from Victor's hand.
He fell.
The police rushed in.
It was over.
Finally.
Victor was sentenced.
Helena confessed.
Nathan cooperated.
Daniel disappeared into federal custody.
The old network was gone.
Serena stood in Bellvita after everything.
The restaurant had reopened.
Table Seven remained.
Arthur and Rose visited every Saturday.
Lorenzo sat there often.
One evening he placed a small velvet box on the table.
Serena stared.
“No.”
“I haven't asked anything.”
“I know that box.”
He smiled.
“You're perceptive.”
She crossed her arms.
“Lorenzo.”
He opened it.
Inside was a ring.
Not enormous.
Not flashy.
A simple diamond surrounded by small stones.
“My mother wore this.”
Serena's eyes filled.
“You kept it?”
“Yes.”
“Why give it to me?”
“Because she trusted your mother.”
He took her hand.
“And because I trust you.”
Serena looked down.
“I love you.”
He smiled.
“I know.”
“I don't want your empire.”
“Good.”
“I don't want your money.”
“Even better.”
“I don't want your protection every second.”
His smile widened.
“Terrible news.”
She laughed.
“But I want you.”
He stood.
“That I can give you.”
He knelt.
“Serena Bennett, will you marry me?”
She cried.
“Yes.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
Arthur and Rose appeared from the doorway.
Rose wiped her eyes.
“I knew this table would bring something good.”
Arthur smiled.
“I told you.”
Serena laughed through tears.
Lorenzo looked at them.
“This table has caused me nothing but trouble.”
Arthur nodded.
“And yet you keep coming back.”
Lorenzo looked at Serena.
“Because now I know what belongs here.”
“What?”
May you like
He touched her hand.
“Us.”
