Chapter 13 - THE MAN WITHOUT AN EMPIRE
By the following spring, Roarke Castellano was no longer the man newspapers called the king of the waterfront.
Several of his former associates faced criminal proceedings.
Silvio Marchetti was charged in connection with financial misconduct, intimidation, and alleged efforts to obstruct investigations. The separate inquiry into Dominic's death remained ongoing.
Roarke had relinquished control of businesses implicated in wrongdoing and placed others under independent oversight.
He had also begun cooperating with authorities concerning his own involvement in the syndicate's operations.
His future was uncertain.
His wealth had diminished.
His influence had changed.
For the first time in years, he couldn't solve every problem with a phone call.
One afternoon, he sat alone in a small office overlooking the river.
No guards stood outside.
No men waited for orders.
His phone rang.
Adeline.
He answered immediately.
"Hello."
"Roarke?"
"Yes."
"Are you busy?"
He looked around the empty office.
"Not especially."
She hesitated.
"Would you like to have coffee?"
He went still.
"With you?"
Adeline laughed.
"Unless you've developed another Adeline in your life."
He smiled.
"No."
"Then yes. With me."
Roarke looked toward the river.
For months, he'd kept his distance because he didn't want her to feel obligated to him.
Now she was calling.
Choosing.
Inviting.
He smiled.
"I'd like that."
They met at a small café near her training center.
Adeline wore jeans and a green sweater.
She looked healthier.
Rested.
Happy.
Roarke stood when she approached.
She smiled.
"Still doing that?"
"Apparently."
They sat.
Talked.
Laughed.
For the first time, neither was trying to rescue the other.
May you like
They were simply two people getting to know each other.
And Roarke discovered that he liked this version of his life far more than the one he'd once fought so desperately to preserve.
