Chapter 13 - Healing and Harbors
Two weeks after the siege at the estate, the city’s underground syndicate had been thoroughly purged. Viktor Vance and his surviving lieutenants were locked away in maximum-security federal facilities with no hope of parole.
The penthouse returned to its warm, sunlit rhythm, but the atmosphere had shifted from one of guarded protection to absolute, unbreakable peace.
On a warm Saturday afternoon, Megan sat on the sprawling outdoor terrace, watching the sailboats glide across the harbor below. A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped around her waist from behind, resting comfortably against her pregnant belly—a new, miraculous chapter they had discovered just days before.
"Penny for your thoughts, Mrs. Pellagrini," Alexander murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.
Megan leaned back against his chest, smiling as she looked out over the skyline. "I was just thinking about that night at the SuperValu. At 12:47 AM. When I was trying to figure out if I could afford a pack of chicken."
Alexander chuckled, a rich, deep sound that vibrated against her back. "And instead, you adopted a mafia boss."
"Or," Megan turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck with a playful glint in her eyes, "you were just lucky a four-year-old girl with zero filter decided you had kind eyes."
"The best decision I ever made," Alexander whispered sincerely, pulling her into a deep, tender kiss.
May you like
From the doorway, little Lily skipped out onto the terrace, holding up a freshly painted picture of a dragon wearing a sparkly crown. "Look, Daddy! Look, Mommy! I painted our whole family!"
Alexander scooped Lily up effortlessly with one arm, pulling Megan close with the other, standing together beneath the golden afternoon sun as a true, unbreakable family.
