Chapter 10 - The New Order
Six months later.
The morning sun reflected off Lake Michigan, bathing our completely redesigned penthouse in a warm, golden light.
The old dark velvet furniture and heavy mahogany trim were gone, replaced by wide white linen couches, polished oak floors, and massive new hurricane-proof glass walls that offered a breathtaking, panoramic view of the Chicago skyline.
I stood at the kitchen island, wearing a simple white silk blouse and trousers, sipping a cup of black coffee while reviewing the quarterly financial statements for Barbieri Enterprises on my tablet.
Down on the street, sixty floors below, the city was bustling with morning traffic—completely unaware of the quiet war that had been fought and won in the skies above them last autumn.
The private elevator doors chimed with a soft, melodic ring.
Carlo walked into the kitchen, wearing an immaculate bespoke charcoal suit, his dark hair neatly styled, looking every bit the powerful, untouchable titan of Chicago real estate. But as soon as his eyes landed on me, the stern line of his mouth softened into a warm, gentle smile.
He walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, pressing a sweet, lingering kiss behind my ear.
"Good morning, Mrs. Barbieri," he murmured into my skin, his hands resting gently over my stomach.
"Good morning, Boss," I replied, leaning back against his broad chest. "The harbor development contract in Milwaukee was signed thirty minutes ago. We own sixty percent of the new logistics terminals."
Carlo chuckled softly, taking a sip from my coffee cup over my shoulder. "You're making us too legit, Bianca. The old capos in the Third Ward are complaining that they don't know how to do business without bribing a judge first."
"Tell the old capos that if they want to bribe someone, they can try bribing my chief accountant," I said, turning around in his arms to fix his silk tie. "Sofia will audit them so hard their grandmothers will feel it."
Carlo laughed, his dark eyes shining with pride and affection. He caught my hands in his, bringing them to his chest.
"I spoke with the private security team in Zurich this morning," Carlo said, his tone turning slightly more serious. "The property in the mountains is completely finished. Private airfield, independent power grid, full perimeter security."
"Are we going?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Next week," Carlo promised, sliding his arms back around my waist. "Two weeks in Switzerland. Just you and me. No phones. No capos. No lead."
"And Frank?" I asked softly, the memory of the loyal man who had died under the bridge still bringing a sharp pang of sorrow to my heart.
"His family was moved to Tuscany last month," Carlo said quietly. "They bought an olive estate. They'll never want for anything for the rest of their lives. I made sure of it."
I nodded, feeling a quiet sense of peace settle over my shoulders. We couldn't bring Frank back, but we had honored his sacrifice by building a world where his death wasn't in vain.
My phone on the marble island chimed with a high-priority notification.
I glanced down at the screen.
It was an encrypted message from our intelligence network in New York.
New York Commission has officially confirmed the appointment of the new boss. They are requesting a formal dinner meeting in Chicago next month to establish the new boundary agreements.
Carlo looked at the screen, then looked back at me, raising a single dark eyebrow. "What do you think, Bianca? Should we grant them an audience?"
May you like
I took the phone, swiped the notification away, and set it face down on the counter.
"Let them wait until midnight," I said, a faint, dangerous smile playing on my lips. "And tell them if they bring any dramatic speeches to my city... my husband will throw them out."
