"He Thought I Was Just His Secretary—Until I Changed Into an Emerald Dress and Stunned the Most Feared Mafia Kingpin"

Tommy and Mercer's men quickly moved in, securing Julian Vance and clearing the remaining Irish syndicate operatives. The war that had threatened Boston for months had been ended in ten chaotic, bloody minutes.

Gabriel lowered his weapon, his heavy chest heaving. He turned around, scanning the smoke until his eyes locked onto me.

"Chastity," he gasped out, dropping his gun onto a crate and sprinting toward me.

He reached me in two long strides, grabbing my face in his hands, inspecting every inch of my body for injuries. His hands were shaking violently—a sight I had never seen in three years of working for the fearless kingpin.

"Are you hurt? Did the blast hit you? Talk to me!" Gabriel demanded frantically.

"I'm fine, Gabriel," I laughed through a sudden wave of happy tears, wrapping my hands over his. "I'm completely fine. You got here in time."

Gabriel let out a ragged groan, pulling me tightly into his arms, burying his face in the crook of my neck. He held me so hard I could barely breathe, but I didn't care. I held him back just as fiercely, feeling the frantic pounding of his heart slowly begin to settle.

"I was so terrified," Gabriel whispered into my skin, his voice raw with emotion. "When I saw him raise that shotgun at you... my soul almost left my body."

"You saved me," I murmured, kissing his jaw. "We did it together."

Gabriel pulled back, looking into my eyes with a soft, breathtaking sincerity. "No more secrets, Chastity. No more hiding behind desks, and no more secret engagements. Tomorrow, I'm announcing to the entire city... to every family, politician, and rival... that you are the queen of Mercer Holdings."

I smiled, a playful spark returning to my eyes. "Does that mean I get a raise?"

Gabriel laughed, a rich, gorgeous sound that filled the dark warehouse, before leaning down and kissing me with a tenderness that wiped away every memory of fear and blood.

Two weeks later, the atmosphere at Mercer Holdings had completely transformed.

The severe bun, the beige coats, and the conservative suits were gone forever. I walked through the executive floor wearing a stunning, fitted burgundy dress, my dark hair falling in soft waves over my shoulders.

As I passed the administrative desks, the staff bowed their heads in genuine respect—not out of fear, but out of admiration for the woman who had helped dismantle the Irish syndicate and secure the company's future.

I walked into Gabriel’s executive office without knocking.

Gabriel was sitting behind his massive mahogany desk, reviewing a stack of acquisition papers. The moment the door opened, he looked up.

The cold, intimidating kingpin vanished, replaced instantly by a man looking at the love of his life. His dark eyes softened, a warm, captivating smile spreading across his sharp jaw.

"Good morning, Mr. Mercer," I teased, leaning against the edge of his desk.

Gabriel pushed his papers aside, stood up, and walked around the desk until he was standing right in front of me. He reached out, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.

"Good morning, Mrs. Mercer," he corrected softly, kissing my lips.