Chapter 11 - The Checkmate
The next morning, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the Cole Enterprises headquarters.
They walked out with thirty boxes of hard drives, four executives in handcuffs, and Richard Cole himself, his face hidden beneath his jacket. The foreman's testimony, combined with the financial ledgers Rocco had legally "acquired," painted a flawless picture of embezzlement, racketeering, and murder in the first degree.
I watched the news on the massive flat-screen in the East Wing, Emma playing with blocks on the rug beside me.
"He's done," Alessandro said, walking into the room. He was wearing a fresh suit, his arm in a discreet black sling. "No bail. The judge deemed him a flight risk. Vanessa has been indicted for accessory to corporate fraud."
I let out a breath I felt like I’d been holding for three years. "It's over."
"It's over," he agreed. He walked over to the television and clicked it off. The sudden silence in the room felt profound.
Alessandro turned to me. The business was concluded. The enemy was vanquished. The reason for our fake engagement no longer existed. My heart gave a painful thud.
"So," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "The merger is dead. The Coles are in jail. You don't need a fake fiancée anymore."
Alessandro’s eyes darkened. He walked slowly across the room, stopping right in front of me.
"No, I don't," he said quietly.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I reached for the antique diamond on my left hand, preparing to slide it off. "I'll pack my things. I can find a new apartment. With the settlement money from Daniel's case, Emma and I will be fine—"
His hand shot out, wrapping over mine, stopping me from taking off the ring.
"Did you think I was acting?" he asked, his voice low and ragged.
I looked up at him, stunned. "Alessandro..."
"Did you think the way I look at you, the way I touch you, the way I look at Emma—was a performance?" He stepped closer, crowding me against the back of the sofa. "I am a ruthless man, Maya. I don't pretend to feel things I don't. When I put this ring on your finger, I meant it. When I claimed you as mine in front of this city, I meant it."
He dropped to one knee, ignoring the wince of pain from his shoulder. He looked me dead in the eyes, the King of the East Coast kneeling for a maid.
"I don't want a fake marriage. I want you. I want Emma. I want to spend the rest of my life making sure neither of you ever has to be afraid of anything, ever again." He pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "Keep the ring, Maya. Stay with me. Be my wife. For real this time."
Emma, noticing the commotion, toddled over. She looked at Alessandro on his knee, then at me.
"Mama," she chirped. "Is the pretty man staying for dinner?"
May you like
A laugh, half-sob, tore from my throat. I looked down at Alessandro Moretti, the most dangerous man I had ever met, and the only man I would ever trust again.
"Yes, baby," I smiled, pulling him up by his lapels to kiss him. "He's staying forever."
