Chapter 25 - Dawn on the PeninsulaBy 3:00 AM, the flashing red lights had faded. The state police cruisers and federal agents had cleared the property, carting Detective Gallo and his corrupt subordinates away in heavy steel handcuffs.
Marco Bellini stood in the driveway, loading his bags back into his battered sedan. He looked at Roman and Celeste, who stood on the porch watching him leave.
"I'm sorry I brought them to your doorstep, Boss," Marco said, his voice heavy with remorse.
"You didn't bring them, Marco," Roman said, stepping down off the porch to clap a firm, reassuring hand on his former head of security's shoulder. "They were ghosts from an old life. And tonight, we finally buried them for good."
"Where are you going?" Celeste asked gently.
"South," Marco managed a faint, tired smile. "Maybe Texas. Somewhere with fewer federal agents and a lot more sunshine."
"Take care of yourself, Marco," Roman said.
"You too, Boss."
Marco climbed into his car, started the engine, and drove slowly down the gravel road, disappearing into the rainy night.
Roman turned back toward the house. Celeste was waiting on the porch, her arms crossed against the chilly wind. He walked up the steps, stepped close, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest.
"You okay?" he asked softly, resting his chin on her head.
"I'm fine," she murmured, looking up into his dark eyes. "Are you?"
May you like
"Never better," Roman said, and for the first time in his entire life, he actually meant it. There were no secrets left. No hidden ledgers. No enemies lurking in the shadows.
Just the woman who had conquered him, the daughter sleeping peacefully upstairs, and an endless horizon of honest tomorrows.
