Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE WITHOUT RULES
Six months changed the Romano estate.
The armed guards remained.
So did the cameras.
Victor was still Victor.
But the rules changed.
Especially Mia’s.
No more:
Do not touch.
Do not comfort.
Do not ask.
Instead, her therapist helped create something better.
Ask first.
Listen.
Let Mia choose.
She began speaking slowly.
One word became sentences.
Sentences became questions.
Her favorite was:
“Why?”
Victor blamed me.
“You taught her to challenge authority.”
“She’s eight.”
“She challenged my breakfast order.”
“You ordered black coffee and nothing else.”
“I was busy.”
“She ordered you eggs.”
“She threatened the chef.”
“She’s a Romano.”
Victor stared.
“That is not reassuring.”
My mother moved to a better rehabilitation center.
Victor offered to pay.
I refused at first.
Then learned that Antonio Romano had created a fund years ago specifically for Rebecca.
It had been hidden by Richard.
Using that money felt different.
It was hers.
Hannah DeLuca visited every week.
Our relationship was awkward.
Tender.
Complicated.
I called Rebecca “Mom.”
That did not change.
Hannah never asked me to.
That helped.
Carlo surrendered to federal authorities.
His testimony exposed the remaining network.
Salvatore did the same.
Neither man escaped consequences.
Victor did not protect them.
That mattered.
Richard Vale faced charges connected to kidnapping, conspiracy, attempted murder, corruption, and the bombing cover-up.
Romano Holdings also changed.
Victor separated legitimate businesses from criminal operations and began dismantling everything built on intimidation.
It cost him money.
Allies.
Power.
He seemed relieved.
One evening, I found him in the library.
The same desk.
The same place where Mia had crawled into my arms.
Victor looked up.
“You’re off duty.”
“I quit three months ago.”
“You still reorganize the books.”
“They’re terrible.”
“You’re terrible.”
I sat across from him.
“What are you reading?”
“Property contracts.”
“Romantic.”
He closed the folder.
“Hannah.”
The tone changed.
“What?”
He stood.
“I’ve spent six months trying not to ask you this badly.”
“That sounds promising.”
He reached into his pocket.
I stared.
“Victor.”
“It’s not a ring.”
I exhaled.
He looked offended.
“Were you disappointed?”
“No.”
“You hesitated.”
“I value suspense.”
He handed me a key.
I frowned.
“What’s this?”
“A house.”
I stared.
“Victor.”
“Not for you.”
“That sounded worse.”
“For Rebecca.”
I went still.
A small accessible home near her rehabilitation center.
No stairs.
Garden.
Space for overnight medical care.
Paid from the trust Antonio created for her.
Not Victor’s money.
Her money.
My eyes filled.
“You planned this?”
“Mia helped.”
Of course she did.
He stepped closer.
“I wanted to ask if you’d help choose the furniture.”
I smiled.
“That I can do.”
Then the library doors opened.
Mia entered carrying a velvet box.
Victor’s face changed.
“Mia.”
She grinned.
“You said not yet.”
“Mia.”
She handed me the box.
I looked at Victor.
He looked furious.
I opened it.
Ring.
Definitely ring.
Mia laughed.
I started laughing too.
Victor closed his eyes.
“I had a plan.”
“Apparently not anymore.”
Mia pointed at him.
“Ask.”
Victor glared at his sister.
Then looked at me.
And before he could say anything, every light in the mansion went out.
Security alarms screamed.
Victor moved instantly.
May you like
His hand reached for mine.
Then gunfire erupted outside.
