Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO KNOCK
I asked Elena to dinner eight months after she and Thomas separated.
Not at my mansion.
Not in a private dining room surrounded by guards.
At a small Italian restaurant in Brooklyn.
She laughed when she saw the place.
“Really?”
I smiled.
“What?”
“Luca Moretti eats somewhere without a dress code?”
I shrugged.
“I'm evolving.”
She laughed.
We ordered pasta.
Talked about Mia.
About Matteo.
About Elena's work.
About my efforts to dismantle the criminal parts of the organization and establish legitimate business structures with independent oversight.
She listened carefully.
Then asked:
“Are you really changing?”
I looked at her.
“I'm trying.”
She nodded.
“That's more honest than promising you've already changed.”
After dinner, we walked along the waterfront.
The city lights reflected on the water.
Elena stopped beside the railing.
“Luca.”
“Yes?”
“I'm afraid.”
I looked at her.
“Of me?”
She hesitated.
“Of your world.”
I nodded.
“You should be careful.”
She looked surprised.
I continued.
“I spent years believing fear was respect. I was wrong.”
She studied me.
“And Mia?”
I smiled faintly.
“She deserves a childhood without any of this.”
Elena's eyes filled.
“She does.”
I took a breath.
“Elena, I love you.”
She went still.
I continued.
“I don't expect an answer tonight. I don't expect you to trust me because I say the right words.”
I looked toward the water.
“I want to earn that trust.”
Elena stepped closer.
Then took my hand.
“Then start by walking me home.”
I smiled.
“I can do that.”
At her door, I waited.
She looked at me.
“Luca?”
“Yes?”
“You can kiss me.”
I laughed softly.
Then kissed her.
Gentle.
Slow.
May you like
Nothing like the life I'd known before.
And somehow, it felt more powerful than anything I'd ever taken by force.
