Chapter 8 - RICO MADE HIS WORLD SMALLER
He began with his house.
Half the security detail gone.
No shouting around Leo.
No meetings in family rooms.
No bodyguards calling him “little boss.”
No men kissing his hand.
No adult conversations about enemies.
Then the business.
Rico could not transform overnight into an innocent businessman.
So he did not pretend.
Through counsel, he began dismantling unlawful revenue streams.
Shut down coercive lending.
Ended unauthorized collections.
Sold stakes in operations dependent on intimidation.
Cooperated where required.
Faced exposure for conduct he personally participated in.
Real consequences.
Less money.
Fewer men.
More sleep.
Dante stayed.
But became head of legitimate security operations.
Marco bought a minority interest in Il Destino.
Employees received actual HR procedures.
Clara laughed when she heard that.
“A mafia restaurant has HR now?”
Rico looked offended.
“Professionalization.”
“Adorable.”
Meanwhile, Clara returned to school through a foundation scholarship she qualified for independently.
Rico did not sit on the board.
His name was nowhere on her award.
Exactly as she required.
They became friends.
Then something more slowly.
One year after the restaurant meltdown, Rico kissed her.
He asked first.
That detail mattered.
“Can I?”
Clara stared.
“The feared Rico Moretti asks permission?”
“Yes.”
“Growth.”
“Clara.”
“Yes.”
Then she kissed him.
No rescue debt.
No mansion bargain.
No instant marriage.
May you like
Just two adults choosing one moment.
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