Chapter 11 - The New Duty
Six months later.
Early summer had arrived in the Hudson Valley. The estate’s gardens were in full, magnificent bloom, filled with red roses, white hydrangeas, and sweet-smelling lavender.
On the wide stone terrace overlooking the river, a large white iron dining table was set for lunch.
Eleanor Vale sat at the head of the table, looking radiant, healthy, and twenty years younger than she had six months ago. She was chatting lively with Marco, who was showing her pictures of his newborn granddaughter on his phone.
Near the garden balustrade, Vincent stood beside me, watching the river barges drift slowly down the blue water toward New York City.
He was wearing a light gray linen suit without a tie, looking relaxed and strikingly handsome in the afternoon sunlight. He reached out, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me gently against his side.
I rested my head against his broad shoulder, holding a small silver clip-board containing my afternoon notes.
“You’re off duty in ten minutes, Nurse,” Vincent whispered near my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
“Is that so, Mr. Vale?” I asked with a small smile. “And what are my orders when I’m off duty?”
“Your orders are to let me take you to dinner in the city,” Vincent replied, his hand resting gently against my hip. “A small restaurant in Soho. No security guards inside, no business talk, and no medical charts.”
I turned in his arms, looking up into his dark, affectionate eyes. The scary mafia boss who had once terrified an entire city was now looking down at me with pure, undisguised devotion.
“That sounds like a very acceptable treatment plan, Vincent,” I murmured, leaning up on my toes.
He leaned down, his lips brushing softly against mine in a gentle, lingering kiss that tasted of sweet summer air and profound peace.
From the dining table behind us, Eleanor let out a loud, theatrical cough.
“If you two are quite finished romance-noveling in front of the help,” Eleanor shouted with a sharp laugh, “some of us would like to eat lunch before the soup gets cold!”
Vincent broke the kiss, laughing softly against my forehead. He took my hand in his, linking his fingers firmly through mine.
May you like
Together, we walked back toward the table under the warm afternoon sun.
I had come to this iron-gated fortress as an agency nurse expecting an impossible old woman and a dangerous criminal family. Instead, I had found my purpose, my home, and a love that was stronger than fear, deeper than loyalty, and worth every risk I had taken.
