Chapter 7 - Dawn Over Lake MichiganThe first gray light of dawn was breaking over the horizon of Lake Michigan, painting the Chicago skyline in strokes of bruised purple, gold, and pale rose.
The storm had passed entirely, leaving the city washed clean, glittering and silent beneath the morning sun.
We stood together on the private wrap-around balcony of our penthouse suite overlooking the lake, the cool morning breeze catching the hem of my silk robe. In my hand, I held a crystal glass of champagne; in his, a cup of dark, black coffee.
Below us, the city was waking up. Cars hummed along Lakeshore Drive, oblivious to the seismic power shifts that had played out in the shadows just hours before. The empire was secure again. The traitors were gone, swept away by the tide, and the Moretti name remained untouchable.
"Penny for your thoughts, Mrs. Moretti," Nicholas said quietly, stepping up behind me and wrapping his strong arms around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. His cedar-and-amber cologne filled my senses, grounding me completely in the present.
I leaned back against him, letting out a contented sigh as I watched the sun crest the horizon, turning the dark water of the lake into liquid gold.
"I was just thinking about the cemetery," I admitted softly, a small smile playing on my lips.
Nicholas went still for a second behind me, his arms tightening slightly. "Regrets?"
"Not anymore," I turned in his arms, wrapping my hands around his neck and looking up into his dark, steady eyes—eyes I would never have to mourn again. "Though I do feel a little bad for the flowers I left on your grave every Sunday. They were really expensive, and you didn't even appreciate them."
Nicholas laughed—a deep, rich sound that echoed warmly in the quiet morning air. He leaned down, pressing his lips firmly against mine in a kiss that tasted of morning coffee, sweet victory, and an eternity of tomorrows.
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"Next Sunday," Nicholas whispered against my lips, his eyes sparkling with quiet amusement, "we'll go back there together. Just to make sure the weeds haven't taken over."
"Only if we stop for coffee first," I smiled, pulling him down for another kiss as the golden morning sunlight washed over us both, wrapping us in a future that nothing could ever burn down again.
