Chapter 14 - THE EMPIRE THAT HAD TO CHANGE
Six months later, Black Harbor was smaller.
But stronger.
Several questionable partnerships had been terminated.
The remaining companies operated under stricter oversight.
And Dominic had begun stepping away from the darker parts of the organization he'd inherited.
We moved into a quieter house outside Boston.
Not because he needed to hide.
Because we wanted space.
A garden.
A kitchen big enough for two people.
And a place where our lives weren't measured by business deals.
One evening, Dominic found me working at the dining table.
He looked at the papers.
“Another case?”
I nodded.
“Shipyard liability dispute.”
He smiled.
“Sounds romantic.”
I laughed.
“Extremely.”
He leaned down.
Kissed my forehead.
Then asked:
“Dinner?”
I looked up.
“Did you cook?”
He hesitated.
“Define cook.”
I laughed.
“Dominic.”
He smiled.
“I ordered Italian.”
I shook my head.
“Progress.”
He pulled out a chair.
And we ate together.
No board members.
No security briefings.
May you like
No fifty-million-dollar contracts.
Just us.
