Chapter 9 - THE AFTERMATH OF ANOMALIES
The transition of power was swift and brutal. With Domenic’s ledgers in his possession, Matteo systematically purged the traitors from his ranks over the next forty-eight hours. The Moretti family, terrified by the surgical precision of Matteo’s retaliation, sued for peace, abandoning their claim on the territory.
Chloe was given a one-way ticket to Zurich, a new passport, and strict instructions from both Matteo and Sophie to never set foot in North America again. The bearer bonds were quietly recovered.
But Sophie did not leave the penthouse.
A week later, the storm had finally passed. The city of Chicago glittered below the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Romano Tower, ignorant of the violent earthquake that had reshaped its underworld.
Sophie stood by the glass, holding a mug of coffee. She was wearing one of Matteo’s oversized dress shirts, her dark hair falling loosely over her shoulders. She was supposed to go back to her firm. She was supposed to return to calculating municipal insurance rates.
But the data had changed. Her life had a new anomaly.
Matteo stepped out of the shadows, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. The tension that had defined him for days was finally gone.
“You’re thinking too loudly,” Matteo murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her neck.
“I’m running the projections,” Sophie replied, leaning back against his chest. “The likelihood of a civilian actuary surviving a long-term relationship with the head of the Romano family.”
“And what do the numbers say?”
“The variables are highly volatile. The risk factor is off the charts.”
May you like
Matteo turned her gently in his arms, his hazel eyes staring deeply into hers. The coldness was entirely gone, replaced by a fierce, protective warmth. “Are you afraid?”
“No,” Sophie said honestly. “Because I factor in the mitigants. You listen to me. You trust my math. And you make very good coffee now.”
