Chapter 6 - The City’s Wrath
Three days later, the Romano private jet touched down in Chicago under a blanket of gray, threatening clouds.
Word had already leaked across the city’s underground networks about the failed hit at the Wisconsin lakehouse, and more importantly, about the plus-size diner maid who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the city’s most feared kingpin.
By the time Vincent’s black armored SUV pulled up to the front steps of the Romano mansion, a swarm of paparazzi, rival syndicate scouts, and high-society gossips had gathered outside the wrought-iron gates, cameras flashing furiously.
"Stay in the car," Vincent commanded, his face hardening into an expression of absolute ice as he opened his door.
"No," Ruby said, unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out right behind him into the freezing Chicago wind.
A barrage of shouted questions erupted from the crowd:
“Mr. Romano! Is it true the syndicate targeted your new maid?”
“Who is she? Is she the new Mrs. Romano?”
“Look at her—does the billionaire have a new charity project?”
Cruel, mocking laughter rippled through the gathered socialites standing near the front gates. One prominent society columnist sneered loudly, "I suppose even Vincent Romano has lowered his standards in his old age. Imagine putting a diner waitress next to shipping royalty!"
Ruby froze, a familiar wave of burning humiliation rising in her chest. She looked down at her simple coat, feeling the crushing weight of a thousand critical eyes.
Vincent stopped dead in his tracks.
He didn't yell. He didn't draw a weapon. Instead, he turned around slowly, walked back to where Ruby stood on the cold stone steps, and took her hand in his large, warm palm.
Then, in front of every camera lens, every rival gang member, and every sneering socialite in Chicago, Vincent Romano pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, dropped deliberately onto one knee right there on the frozen concrete, and popped open the lid.
May you like
Inside sat a breathtaking, multi-carat diamond ring that caught the gray daylight like a shard of ice.
"Ruby," Vincent said, his deep, resonant voice cutting cleanly through the stunned silence of the crowd. "You walked into my hell and brought peace to my son. You fought for us when the world turned its back. Marry me. And let the city watch how we burn them all down."
