Chapter 6 - A Light in the HarborOne month later.
The morning sun over Boston Harbor sparkled like crushed diamonds across the deep blue water. The private gardens of the Colazo estate were blooming with late-autumn roses, filled with the gentle sounds of laughter and warm conversation.
Finn was sitting on the grass near a marble fountain, kicking a soccer ball back and forth with Elena. His face was full, healthy, and flushed with bright, energetic color—the successful heart surgery performed by Dr. Kincaid three weeks ago had given him a completely normal, vibrant future.
On the grand stone terrace overlooking the garden, Mave stood leaning against the balustrade. She wore a simple, elegant cream silk dress that draped beautifully over her fully healed shoulder.
A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped gently around her waist from behind. Rafe drew her close against his chest, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"You're thinking too hard again," Rafe whispered into her hair, his deep voice sending a familiar, exhilarating shiver down her spine.
"I was just looking at Finn," Mave said softly, turning her head to smile at him. "Two months ago, I was standing in a bank, begging for a loan to keep him alive. I thought my life was over."
"And now?" Rafe asked, his winter-blue eyes searching hers with an intense, overwhelming warmth that no longer hid behind cold walls.
"Now I know that the worst moment of my life was just the beginning of everything," Mave answered, turning around in his arms to wrap her hands around his neck.
Rafe reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, worn object. It was the photograph of Finn holding his stuffed bear—the same picture that had fallen from her apron pocket onto the marble floor of The Salt Line.
Except now, the photograph was encased in a custom-made, hand-carved silver frame adorned with a small, flawless diamond at the top.
"I had this made for you," Rafe said gently, placing the heavy frame into her hands. "To remind you of where you've been, and to promise you where we are going."
Mave looked down at the frame, fresh tears of pure happiness welling in her hazel eyes. "Rafe..."
"I have spent my whole life giving orders and building walls to keep the world out," Rafe said, his voice dropping to a low, profound register that resonated through her entire body. "I never knelt for anyone, Mave. Until the night I saw you bleed for my sister. You broke through every wall I had."
He reached down, taking her right hand in his, brushing his thumb over her knuckles.
"Stay with me," Rafe asked, his tone devoid of his usual command, filled only with a humble, devoted hope. "Not because you owe me a debt. Not because of protection. Stay with me because I am completely, irrevocably in love with you."
Mave looked at the feared boss of Boston—a man who had brought down empires to protect her, who treated her brother like his own son, and who looked at her as if she were his entire world.
She set the framed photograph on the stone balustrade, reached up, and cupped his scarred jaw in both hands.
May you like
"I'm not going anywhere, Rafe," Mave whispered softly, pulling his face down to hers. "You are my home."
As their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss beneath the bright morning sun, the laughter of her brother echoed across the gardens—a sweet, triumphant sound that proved the darkest storms had finally passed, giving way to a light that would never fade.
