Chapter 7 - The Master of Rossi Harbor
Three months later.
The icy winter had given way to the gentle warmth of early spring across the North Shore. The Rossi estate had been fully repaired, its grounds bathed in bright sunlight and blooming cherry blossoms.
Silvio Rossi and his co-conspirators in the Moretti family had been systematically dismantled through a combination of Lorenzo’s ruthless underworld strategy and federal indictments brought forth by the evidence Lorenzo provided. The Rossi syndicate was now entirely under Lorenzo’s absolute control, purged of every traitor.
In the sunlit nursery on the third floor, Leo was crawling across a soft sheepskin rug, letting out loud, joyful giggles as he chased a plush wooden bear. He was robust, healthy, and weighed a perfect sixteen pounds.
Hunter sat on the window seat, watching him with a serene, radiant smile. She wore a simple lilac dress, her dark hair glowing in the sunlight.
The nursery door opened, and Lorenzo walked in.
He was dressed in a tailored gray suit, having just returned from a board meeting at Rossi Harbor. But the moment his eyes landed on Hunter and Leo, the corporate sternness dissolved from his face, replaced by a warm, devoted smile.
He walked over, kneeling on the rug to lift Leo high into the air, making the baby laugh hysterically before placing him safely back down with his toys.
Lorenzo then walked over to the window seat, slipping his arms around Hunter’s waist from behind, resting his chin gently on her shoulder.
“He gained another half-pound this week,” Hunter said softly, leaning back against his chest. “The pediatrician says he’s completely caught up on his growth milestones.”
“He’s thriving because of you,” Lorenzo whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “We both are.”
Lorenzo pulled a small black velvet box from his suit pocket and placed it gently in Hunter’s lap.
Hunter looked down at the box, her heart skipping a beat. “Lorenzo... what is this?”
“Open it,” he said softly.
Hunter opened the box. Inside rested a breathtaking platinum ring set with a flawless, radiant-cut yellow diamond, surrounded by smaller pink diamonds representing cherry blossoms.
“Three months ago, you came into this house as a grieving maid who had every reason to hate the world,” Lorenzo said, turning her around in his arms so he could look into her eyes. “You broke my rules to save my son. In doing so, you saved my soul. You gave me a reason to build a clean future.”
He took her right hand, holding it gently in his large palm.
“I have officially restructured Rossi Harbor,” Lorenzo revealed softly. “Half of the commercial shipping assets have been placed into a legal trust for Leo, managed by a board of public ethics. The dangerous life I lived... it ends with me. I want to build something honest for our family.”
Tears of pure happiness gathered in Hunter’s eyes.
“Hunter Hayes,” Lorenzo asked, his dark eyes filled with a deep, fierce love that made her feel entirely safe, “will you marry me? Will you be my wife, Leo’s legal mother, and the mistress of this home?”
May you like
Hunter didn't hesitate for a single second. She threw her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss that sealed their future together.
“Yes,” she breathed against his lips. “Yes, Lorenzo. A thousand times yes.”
