Chapter 7 - The Crown and the KingdomThree months later.
The annual Pellegrini winter gala was underway at the very same Long Island estate where my entire life had violently derailed six months ago.
This time, however, the atmosphere was entirely different.
The ballroom was filled with laughter, classical string music, and the clinking of crystal champagne flutes. Allied families, politicians, and business partners moved through the rooms with respectful ease. But the center of gravity had shifted entirely.
I stood near the grand staircase, wearing a stunning midnight-blue silk gown custom-designed by a boutique in Milan, with the vintage sapphire ring catching the brilliant light of the crystal chandelier overhead.
Joseph walked past, tipping his champagne glass toward me with a respectful grin. “Looking radiant, Mrs. Pellegrini.”
“Behave yourself, Joseph,” I laughed.
Across the room, standing near the fireplace talking with the head of the Santoro syndicate, Alexander caught my eye.
Even amidst a room full of the most powerful, dangerous men in America, his presence commanded absolute attention. But the moment his gaze met mine, the cold, untouchable Don vanished. A slow, possessive, utterly devoted smile touched his lips.
He excused himself from the conversation, walking through the crowd directly toward me. When he reached my side, he didn't care that a hundred influential people were watching. He wrapped his arm securely around my waist, pulling me flush against his side where I belonged.
“Are you bored yet?” he murmured against my hair, his voice rich with quiet amusement.
“Not even close,” I smiled, resting my hand against his lapel. “I’m just calculating how many spreadsheets we have to review tomorrow before the board meeting.”
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Alexander let out a rich, deep laugh—the sound of a man who had finally won everything that mattered. He leaned down, pressing a lingering, passionate kiss to my lips right in front of the entire New York underworld.
“Let the board wait,” Alexander whispered against my mouth. “Tonight, the empire can run itself.”
