"MAFIA BOSS NOTICES HIS TERRIFIED MAID SECRETLY HIDING BRUISES, WHAT HE DID NEXT SHOCKED THE ENTIRE CITY

Six months later.

Early June in Chicago brought warm sunshine, blooming red roses, and a clear, brilliant blue sky over the city skyline.

The Reyes estate was dressed in magnificent white silk banners, crystal chandeliers hanging from the garden oak trees, and hundreds of vase displays filled with white roses.

Three hundred guests filled the estate’s sprawling rear lawns—city aldermen, supreme court judges, foreign trade diplomats, and every major syndicate boss from New York to Los Angeles.

Inside the grand master suite of the main estate, Elena stood before a floor-to-ceiling mirror.

She wore a custom lace wedding dress that flowed around her body like liquid pearl, decorated with tiny diamond crystals that caught the morning light. Her dark hair was styled in an elegant updo, adorned with a delicate diamond tiara.

Her skin was smooth, flawless, and glowing with radiant health. Her silver eyes sparkled with joy.

Rosalind Marsh stood behind her, wiping a joyous tear from her eye as she fixed the lace veil.

"You look like a queen, my dear," Rosalind whispered softly.

Elena looked at her reflection, a soft, beautiful smile warming her lips. She looked down at her wrists—smooth, clear, resting gracefully over her bouquet of white roses.

"I feel like one," Elena murmured softly.

A gentle knock sounded at the door. Mateo Vance pushed it open, wearing an immaculate black tuxedo.

"It's time, little sister," Mateo said with a warm, genuine grin. "The boss is losing his mind out there waiting for you."

Elena laughed—a clear, musical sound that filled the room—and took Mateo’s offered arm.

They walked down the grand marble staircase, stepping out through the French doors onto the sunny garden lawn.

The three hundred guests stood up in reverent silence, turning to look at the bride.

At the end of the long white carpet aisle, standing beneath an archway of blooming red and white roses, stood Damian Reyes.

He wore a dark velvet tuxedo, looking impossibly handsome, powerful, and majestic. But as his dark eyes locked onto Elena walking toward him, the cold, ruthless mob boss completely vanished.

His dark eyes filled with absolute, overwhelming devotion. A genuine, magnificent smile broke across his face—a smile that shocked every mobster in attendance, for none of them had ever seen Damian Reyes smile in his entire life.

Elena reached the altar, stepping up beside him.

Damian reached out, taking her hands into his large, warm grip, looking down into her silver eyes with a love so fierce it made the air around them feel warm.

"You take my breath away," he whispered so only she could hear.

"You gave me my breath back," she whispered back softly.

The archbishop read the sacred vows, his voice echoing over the quiet, respectful crowd.

"Do you, Damian Reyes, take Elena Cruz to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?"

Damian looked into her eyes, his voice steady, iron-strong, and filled with infinite warmth.

"I do," he declared clearly. "With my life, my soul, and my empire."

"And do you, Elena Cruz, take Damian Reyes to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Elena smiled, her heart bursting with pure, unadulterated happiness.

"I do," she whispered softly. "Forever."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Damian didn't hesitate. He pulled Elena into his arms, dipping her back slightly as he pressed his lips to hers in a deep, passionate, breathtaking kiss.

THE CROWD ERUPTED INTO THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE AND CHEERS!

The mob bosses clapped, the aldermen cheered, and the staff wept with joy as the most dangerous man in Chicago kissed the woman who had transformed his dark world into a kingdom of light.

Damian lifted her back up, wrapping his arm around her waist as they turned to face the cheering crowd.

Elena looked out over the grand estate, her hand resting over Damian’s beating heart, knowing that her days of hiding, fear, and bruises were gone forever.