Chapter 10 - The Sovereign Shore
One year later.
The afternoon sun shone brilliantly over the cliffs of Taormina, Sicily, painting the Mediterranean Sea in brilliant shades of turquoise, sapphire, and gold.
The cliffside terrace of the restored Moretti villa was filled with the scent of blooming orange blossoms, fresh sea air, and stone pines.
Claire stood near the carved stone railing, looking out over the sparkling ocean below.
She wore a simple white linen dress that caught the warm sea breeze, her blonde hair flowing freely over her shoulders. Her skin was golden from the Sicilian sun, her face smooth, radiant, and entirely free of shadows.
A quiet step sounded behind her on the terracotta tiles.
Mateo walked out onto the terrace, wearing a dark blue linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, holding two glasses of chilled white wine.
He walked up behind her, setting the glasses on the stone wall, and wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pulling her back against his broad chest.
Claire leaned her head back against his shoulder with a deep, contented sigh, placing her hands over his on her waist.
Down on the private dock three hundred feet below, two large cargo ships bearing the merged Rossi-Moretti crest were slowly cutting through the sparkling blue water, heading out toward the open sea.
“The fleet leaves for Chicago on schedule,” Mateo murmured into her hair, kissing her neck softly. “Gianna says the new ports are fully operational.”
“Good,” Claire smiled, turning in his arms to wrap her hands around his neck. “I want everything running smoothly before next month.”
Mateo smiled down at her, his dark hazel eyes filled with a deep, infinite love that made her heart sing.
He reached down, gently laying his large, warm hand over her stomach.
Beneath the soft white linen of her dress, a small, subtle swell was just beginning to show—their first child, the heir to the united Rossi and Moretti families, growing safe and strong in the Mediterranean warmth.
Mateo leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her lips.
“Seven years ago,” Mateo whispered, his raspy voice filled with emotion, “I thought I lost you forever in the dark.”
Claire raised her hand, her fingers gently tracing the hard line of his jawline, feeling the steady, powerful pulse beneath his skin.
“You didn't lose me, Mateo,” Claire whispered back, her blue eyes shining with absolute, permanent joy. “You just had to come find me.”
May you like
Mateo leaned in and kissed her—a long, deep, passionate kiss that tasted of sweet wine, ocean salt, and a future built on love, strength, and unbreakable devotion.
And high above the turquoise waters of Sicily, under the endless golden sky, the Don and his Queen stood together, forever free.
