Chapter 10 - CLEARING THE GHOSTS
The aftermath of the purge was swift. With Carlo dead and his loyalists either eliminated or imprisoned in my private facilities, the syndicate underwent a brutal but necessary restructuring. I rooted out every trace of corruption, every traitor who had smiled in my face while plotting behind my back.
It took two weeks to completely secure the city. Two weeks of burying the dead, paying off the right politicians, and ensuring that the name Duca was feared not just for its brutality, but for its absolute, unwavering justice.
During those two weeks, Serafina and Mia stayed in my heavily guarded penthouse in the city. Sofia recovered from her ordeal and quickly grew attached to little Mia, the child bringing a much-needed light into our dark world.
When the dust finally settled, I returned to the penthouse. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the city skyline. I found Serafina on the balcony, watching the horizon. She looked beautiful, the lines of stress and terror that had aged her face finally fading away.
She turned as she heard my footsteps.
"Is it over?" she asked softly.
"It's over," I replied, stepping up beside her. "Carlo is dead. The men hunting you are dead. Your records have been completely wiped and rewritten with whatever identity you want. You have a trust fund set up in your name that will ensure you and Mia never have to worry about money again. You're free, Serafina."
She looked down at her hands, a bittersweet smile touching her lips. "Free to go where?"
"Anywhere you want. Paris. Rome. A quiet town in the Midwest. My men will escort you, and you will never be bothered again."
She stepped closer to me, looking up into my eyes. The fierce, brave woman who had saved my life twice—once fifteen years ago, and once by bringing the truth back to me.
"What if I don't want to go anywhere?" she whispered. "What if the safest place I know is right here?"
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I reached out, my fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "My world is dangerous, Serafina. It’s dark."
"I've lived in the dark for fifteen years," she replied, resting her hand on my chest, right over my heart. "I think it's time we both stepped into the light. Together."
