"A mafia boss hadn't eaten solid food in 8 years—until a young dentist pulled a metallic fragment from his tooth that exposed his brother."

For the first time in eight years, the massive mahogany table was set for a real, multi-course dinner.

Salvatore Lombardi sat at the head of the table wearing a tailored black suit without a tie, his dark hair brushed back, his severe, handsome face radiating a healthy, vibrant color that had been missing for almost a decade.

Sitting across from him, wearing a simple, elegant dark navy dress that celebrated my tall figure, was me.

A private chef served thick cuts of roasted prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, and aged Cabernet wine.

Salvatore picked up his steak knife, sliced a tender piece of prime rib, and ate it slowly, chewing comfortably on the right side of his jaw.

He closed his eyes for three seconds, letting out a long, ragged exhale of pure, weightless contentment.

"Solid food," Salvatore whispered, opening his gray eyes to look at me across the table. "I had forgotten what real food tasted like, Lena."

"Your tissue healing is progressing rapidly, Salvatore," I smiled softly, taking a sip of wine. "No swelling, no localized infection. You'll be back to your full strength in a week."

Salvatore set his fork down, resting his forearms against the table, his storm-gray eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my pulse jump.

"The forensic audit of Carmine's accounts was completed three hours ago," Salvatore revealed, his tone turning serious and dark. "Eight years ago, Carmine struck a deal with the Falco syndicate to eliminate me at Pier 54. He wanted control of our shipping routes. When I survived the ambush, he paid off my private surgeons to leave the shrapnel in my jaw, hoping the chronic infection and pain would eventually kill me or drive me out of leadership."

I swallowed hard, my hands tightening around my glass. "Your own brother... did that to you?"

"Ambition makes monsters out of weak men, Lena," Salvatore replied quietly. "Carmine and his conspirators have been turned over to federal authorities on wire fraud, treason, and attempted murder charges. He will spend the rest of his life in a maximum-security prison."

He stood up from the table, walking slowly around to my side. He pulled out my chair gently, offering his hand to help me stand.

"For eight years, I lived in a dark cage of pain and suspicion," Salvatore murmured, his thumb lightly brushing over my cheekbone, his touch warm, steady, and tender. "I thought everyone in this city was a traitor. And then a young doctor walked in wearing worn blue scrubs, stood up to my guards, and saved my life."

I looked up into his handsome face, feeling a deep, unshakeable bond pulling our souls together.