Chapter 9 - The New Reign

The war was over before the police could even catalog the scene.
With Don Morello humiliated and forced to sign over his entire empire to the Castillion Syndicate in exchange for the "antidote" (which was actually just a glass of sparkling water with lemon), Declan held undisputed control over the city’s three major districts.
A month later, the doors of Sadie’s opened on Walnut Street.
It wasn't a small bistro; it was a spectacular, three-story culinary palace built with exposed brick, copper accents, and a state-of-the-art kitchen that was entirely her design.
"It is perfect, Sadie," Declan said, walking into the kitchen after the grand opening service had ended. He wore a fresh charcoal suit, his hands completely healed, smelling of that beautiful, familiar vetiver and fresh rain.
He wrapped his large arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest as she wiped down the immaculate stainless steel pass.
"The critic from the Times said the wild boar ragù tasted like a 'love letter to the dark side' of the city," she said, a soft smile touching her lips.
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"It was," Declan whispered, his lips brushing against her ear. "My love letter."
The Recipe of Power