Chapter 10 - THE ASHES OF THE PAST
Three months later.
The trial of Harrison Vane was the media spectacle of the decade. The evidence Cassidy had uncovered was ironclad. Vane was facing over a century in federal prison for racketeering, fraud, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit murder.
More importantly, the courts had formally posthumously exonerated Thomas Miller. His name was cleared, his reputation restored.
Cassidy stood in the private cemetery in Queens, the autumn wind rustling the golden leaves. She placed a bouquet of white lilies on her father's gravestone.
"We did it, Dad," she whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek. "You're free."
A heavy, warm coat was draped over her shoulders. She turned to see Alessandro standing behind her. He was back in his tailored suits, looking every inch the billionaire CEO, entirely devoid of the violent mafia prince who had stormed a warehouse to save her.
"Your mother's new doctors say her kidney transplant was a complete success," Alessandro said softly, stepping up beside her.
"Because you moved heaven and earth to get her on the priority list, and paid for the best surgeons in the world," Cassidy smiled up at him. "Thank you, Alessandro. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
He reached out, his thumb gently wiping away her tear, just as he had in the car months ago. "You already have. You saved my empire. You saved my family's legacy."
"So, what happens now?" she asked, the wind whipping her hair around her face.
Alessandro took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "Vane's shipping routes were seized by the government and auctioned off. I bought them for pennies on the dollar. Legally. Cleanly. The Duca empire is officially the largest, entirely legitimate shipping conglomerate on the East Coast."
He looked deeply into her hazel eyes. "But I have a problem. My Chief Financial Officer turned out to be a traitor, and there is a massive vacancy in my C-suite. I need someone who sees the numbers. Someone who isn't afraid of the shadows."
May you like
Cassidy's breath hitched. "You want me to be your CFO?"
"I want you to be my partner," Alessandro corrected, his voice dropping to that dangerous, thrilling hum. "In every sense of the word."
