Page 92 of Wrong Pawn. Right Capo.

Mayor Thompson’s life sentence had put a definitive end to the chaos. The FBI looked into his files and found him guilty of almost all the evidence presented against him, including defamation for branding me a mafia don to the public. Conrad made sure the bastard didn't have a single loophole to crawl out of. We even uncovered proof that the mayor was also responsible for the arson attacks on our safe houses the day the news aired. He’s rotting in a cell where he belongs.

Out in the streets, Enzo is running the Rossi Mafia with a more cautious hand, and he seems to be thriving. We aren’t exactly allies yet, but he’s a man who’d do anything for Elena… even if that means maintaining a semblance of peace just so her life can move on.

The buzzing of my phone snaps me back to the moment. It’s a message from Francesco.

Vincenzo has agreed to the deal. Operation Expansion begins immediately.

I swipe the screen shut, shoving the phone back into my pocket. Vincenzo Caruso was one of the first few men outside of my father’s old circle to reach out. He’s a man of results and impeccable strategy.

What began as a series of trial transactions has now morphed into something bigger; a partnership to open a new southern territory.

My empire is growing. The Bellandini name is looming larger than my father ever took it, legal and illegal fronts locked down tight. The city is finally at my feet. But as the elevator climbs to the rooftop, none of it fucking matters. The millions in the bank, the territory expansions, the men who fear me—it’s all background noise. I’ve conquered this city, but I’m sweating through my suit because the only piece of land that matters is the few feet of the rooftop where she’s about to stand. If she says no, the whole empire is just a hollow kingdom.

The elevator dings open, revealing the rooftop space filled with soft golden lights, cascading white lilies and glass lanterns glowing against the twilight sky.

Bella steps back from one of the lilies, brushing a speck of dust off her hands. She isn’t aware of my presence yet, so I simply stand there watching how she keeps fiddling with the decorations.

Despite having hired the best event planners in town, Bella had insisted on handling the decorations herself. She’d gotten help from the event planners, but she was the chief creative. She said she knew how Elena would love it and wanted to be a part of her big day.

After Elena told me all about how they were pitted against each other and the nightmare with her father, I appreciate Bella’s enthusiasm for Elena’s success.

When she notices me, she jumps, startled, then shakes her head with a small, steady smile. “She’s going to love it. No need to be nervous.”

“She should.” I nod.

Bella sighs, walking closer to pat my arm. “Not just the store. All of it. You.”

The nervousness that I’d tried to suppress coils up in my stomach. What if she’s not ready? What if I’m not changed enough for her?

I nod tightly just as Bella receives a text. “They’re coming!” Her eyes widen.

I swallow thickly, immediately walking to my spot. Bella runs to hide just beside the elevator door.

Finally, Annora’s message pops up on my phone.

She’s coming. Smile. Don’t look so murderous.

My heart stutters as the door opens minutes later, revealing a stunning-looking Elena. No. Stunning doesn’t even cut it.

She looks like a fucking goddess in her sleeveless dress, high updo, and drop pearl earrings. And of course, the baby bump makes her look even more breathtaking.

“W-What is all this?” Her voice trembles as her eyes dart around to take in the decorations.

Pushing my nervousness aside, I stride toward her, one hand fiddling with the box in my pocket. When I reach her, I take her hand in mine and kiss the back of it.

She blushes deeply, still stunned.

“W—” she starts to say when I go down on one knee and bring out the ring box in my pocket.

She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth.

“Elena,” I swallow thickly, the distant noise of the city fading into nothing. “You were supposed to be the pawn in my mission. Yet, your resilience, your strength, and your untamed compassion changed me… changed everything. You became the mission itself… a mission I never saw coming. You’re the victory I refused to accept… my greatest achievement.” I hold her gaze, letting her see the raw vulnerability in my eyes.

“You challenged every rule I lived by and replaced it with the only thing that matters. Love. Indeed, you showed my heart how to love again. And with that, you gave me everything I didn’t know I needed. Peace. Forgiveness. Belonging. Will you marry me and let me spend the rest of my life proving just how much I can love you?”

Silence stretches as tears well in her eyes. The world stops. My heart pounds faster until a sob of laughter escapes her.

“Yes,” she cries, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, Adriano. Yes!”