Page 38 of Marco

Silence falls over the yard as the last of the gunfire dies out. Then cheers erupt from my men, echoing into the night. The tyrant is dead. The day is won.

I pull Alessia into my arms, cradling her close. She's real and alive and mine. "It's over," I whisper, emotion choking my voice.

Alessia smiles up at me, fierce and bright. "No," she says softly. "It's just beginning."

She's right. Our future is just beginning. And this time, we'll face it together.

The yard is a mess of bodies and bullet casings, stark evidence of the violence that just unfolded. But in this moment, all I can see is Alessia.

She's illuminated in the pale moonlight, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shining with triumph. Gone is the shy, uncertain woman who first showed up at my mansion. In her place stands a queen, radiating strength and power. She's in her element amongst me and my men the same way she thrived back at her café.

No doubt the mafia world will be singing songs of our victory tonight. But they'll never understand what truly happened here.

Tonight, the old codes of honor and power struggles fell away. Tonight, love triumphed over hate. And from the ashes, a new era will rise.

An era where family is bound not by blood, but by choice. Where trust and devotion are given freely, not demanded through fear and force.

"It's really over, isn't it?" Alessia whispers, her hands coming to rest on my chest.

I pull her closer, relishing her warmth. "Yes, amore mio. The danger has passed."

Her lips curve into a soft smile and she shakes her head. "Not the danger. The old ways. We're free now...free to live the life we want. Together."

Joy and wonder swell within me at her words. She's right—we've been fighting for freedom in more ways than one. Freedom to love each other openly. Freedom to leave this life of crime behind. Freedom to choose our own path.

I cup Alessia's face in my hands, gazing into her eyes. The eyes I've lost myself in so many times. The eyes that reflect my very soul.

"The old ways are dead," I say firmly. "Long live the new."

Then I bring my lips to hers, sealing the promise with a kiss. Our future is ours to write—and this is only the beginning.

I pull back from the kiss, smoothing a stray hair from Alessia's face. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips kiss-swollen. She's never looked more beautiful.

"We should go," I say reluctantly. "There are still loose ends to tie up, and the authorities will be here soon."

Alessia nods, her expression turning serious once more. "You're right. We have a long road ahead." She bites her lip, glancing away. "Do you really think your men will follow you into this new life?"

"Not all of them." I sigh, the bitter truth settling over me. "But those who matter most understand why this change must come. The rest...they will fall in line or be left behind."

"I don't want you to lose people who are loyal to you because of me," she says quietly. Her mouth turns downward. "You already lost Rocco…"

I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. "I'm not losing anyone because of you. I'm finally doing what is right—for myself and for those who have suffered for too long under men like Rosales. You've opened my eyes to what this life should be." I brush my thumb over her lower lip. "And those who see the truth will stand with us. The rest be damned."

Alessia smiles, slow and sweet, and rises onto her toes to kiss me again. When she pulls back, her eyes are bright with purpose.

"Then let's go tie up those loose ends," she says, fierce determination etched into every line of her delicate features, "and start building the future we deserve."

I lace my fingers through hers, gripping tight. Together, we turn and walk away from the ruin of the old world we left behind.

Ready to face the new one waiting ahead.

We step out of the dingy warehouse, into the cool night air. It's a new beginning for us, a chance to leave our pasts behind and start anew. I lean down and whisper against her ear, "What do you want for our first night as retired mafia leaders?"

Her answer surprises me, thrills me. "Take me somewhere private," she breathes. "And teach me how to please you."

My heart thunders in my chest at her words. This woman, who once saw herself as weak and powerless, is transforming before my eyes. Tonight, she embraced her mafia roots, claiming her place beside me with an intensity that takes my breath away.

I lead her through the backstreets of the city, to the rooftop of an abandoned building with an unobstructed view of the stars. I lay her gently on a pile of old blankets, watching as she stares up at the sky, entranced. Gently, I begin to undress her. Her body is soft and warm beneath my touch, her gasps of anticipation filling the air.

---