Chapter 10 - THE NEW QUEEN
Three months later.
The summer sun beamed brightly over Boston Harbor, illuminating the massive cargo ships gliding smoothly into Terminal 4 under a clear blue sky.
The docks were bustling with activity—cranes lifting heavy steel containers, workers in high-visibility vests managing logbooks, and security guards wearing crisp Conti-Vance uniforms patrolling the perimeter gates.
I stood on the glass balcony of the newly renovated Vance Logistics headquarters overlooking the deep blue water.
I wore an elegant white linen suit, my hair styled in soft waves falling over my shoulders, holding a tablet displaying the morning’s shipping manifests. The business was thriving; under our joint management, shipping efficiency had doubled, and Falcone’s former criminal smuggling operations had been completely eradicated from the waterfront.
A pair of strong arms wrapped gently around my waist from behind.
Matteo pulled me back against his chest, resting his chin on my shoulder, breathing in the scent of my perfume.
"You're working too hard, Boss," Matteo murmured playfully, his hands resting over mine on the balcony railing.
I laughed softly, leaning my head back against his shoulder. "Someone has to keep this empire organized. You’re too busy being terrifying."
"I’m only terrifying to people who break our rules," Matteo countered, kissing the crook of my neck, making me shiver with delight.
A soft knock sounded at the office door. Luca walked out onto the balcony, holding two small crystal glasses and a bottle of high-end tequila.
"Pardon the interruption, Boss, Mrs. Vance," Luca said with a broad grin. "But it just turned midnight in Zurich."
I looked down at my watch.
It was my twenty-seventh birthday.
Matteo smiled, taking the two glasses from Luca and pouring two shots of amber liquor. He handed one to me, his dark eyes sparkling with a deep, infinite love and pride.
"To twenty-seven," Matteo toasted softly, raising his glass. "And to two tequila shots that changed my life forever."
I clinked my glass against his, looking into the eyes of the man who had protected me, fought for me, and given me a future beyond my wildest dreams.
May you like
"To the best birthday gift I ever got," I whispered.
We drank the shots together, set the glasses down on the stone ledge, and Matteo pulled me into a fierce, passionate kiss as the warm ocean breeze carried the sound of the thriving harbor below us—our empire, our city, and our forever home.
