Chapter 10 - THE COSTELLO QUEEN
One year later.
St. Jude's Cathedral had been completely restored. The shattered stained glass windows were replaced with brilliant new designs depicting phoenixes rising from ashes, flooding the vast stone nave with vibrant red and gold light.
Outside, thousands of citizens, reporters, and supporters gathered along the barricades of Midtown Manhattan.
Inside, the cathedral was filled with hundreds of guests—syndicate members, city leaders, foundation workers, and community members who had come to celebrate the event of the year.
The organ began to play a grand, triumphant march.
The heavy oak doors of the cathedral swung open.
Penelope stepped into the aisle, accompanied by Marco, who had proudly agreed to walk her down the aisle.
She looked breathtaking.
She wore a custom-designed, ivory silk ballgown created by Paris's top designer, crafted specifically to highlight her full, gorgeous figure. The dress featured a dramatic off-the-shoulder neckline that proudly displayed her burn scars, embellished with delicate silver embroidery that made the scars look like trailing vines of starlight. Her dark hair fell in soft, voluminous waves around her face, crowned with a delicate diamond tiara.
She walked down the aisle with total confidence, her head held high, a radiant smile illuminating her face.
Standing at the altar, wearing an immaculate black tuxedo, was Dominic Costello.
As he watched Penelope walk toward him, the feared mafia boss of New York had tears glistening in his icy blue eyes. He didn't see a decoy. He didn't see a victim. He saw his soulmate, his partner, his absolute equal.
Marco handed Penelope’s hand to Dominic, whispering, "Take care of our queen, Boss."
"With my life," Dominic swore softly.
Dominic took Penelope’s hands in his, looking into her eyes as the priest began the ceremony.
"Do you, Dominic Costello," the priest asked, "take Penelope Gallagher to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"
"I do," Dominic said without a second's hesitation, his deep voice carrying through the quiet cathedral with unbreakable conviction. "With every breath I have left."
"And do you, Penelope Gallagher," the priest continued, "take Dominic Costello to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Penelope smiled, tears of pure happiness slipping down her glowing cheeks.
"Then by the power vested in me," the priest announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Dominic didn't wait. He stepped forward, taking Penelope’s face in his large, calloused hands, and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss that made the entire cathedral burst into wild, thunderous applause.
As they turned to face the cheering crowd, hand in hand, Dominic wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close against his side.
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The world had tried to hide her. Her family had tried to destroy her.
But side by side with the man who saw her true worth, Penelope Costello stepped out of the shadows and into her forever kingdom.
