Chapter 17 - The Dust Settles
The police sirens wailed outside, finally arriving after receiving anonymous tips from an encrypted burner phone.
Federal agents and local authorities swarmed the docks, but the Moretti syndicate had already vanished into the night.
Back at the safehouse in the pine forest, the fire crackled warmly in the hearth.
Maya sat on the edge of the leather sofa, nursing a cup of hot chamomile tea.
The adrenaline had finally worn off, leaving her muscles sore and her mind spinning.
The front door opened.
Adrien walked into the living room, shedding his blood-stained tactical jacket.
He looked tired, but the dark cloud that had hung over his shoulders for years was completely gone.
He walked over, sitting down beside her on the sofa.
“Rossetti’s empire has collapsed,” Adrien said quietly.
“His lieutenants are scattering across the globe. It’s over.”
Maya let out a long, shuddering breath.
“So... does this mean I still have a job?”
Adrien looked at her.
A genuine, radiant smile broke across his handsome face.
The first true smile Maya had ever seen from him.
“You are officially fired as my housekeeper, Maya Collins,” Adrien said softly.
Maya’s heart dropped for a split second.
“Oh.”
“Because,” Adrien continued, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box, “I am promoting you to something much more permanent.”
He opened the box.
Inside rested a breathtaking diamond ring that caught the firelight like a star.
Maya stared at it, completely speechless.
May you like
“You survived a burst pipe, a mafia conference room, an assassination attempt, and a warehouse shootout,” Adrien whispered, taking her hand.
“I am never letting you go.”
