Chapter 9
Two weeks had passed since the brutal siege on the Crowne estate. The mansion was still under repair; scaffolding lined the grand foyer, and the shattered crystal chandeliers had been replaced by temporary fixtures. But beneath the scars of the battle, a new, unbreakable peace had settled over the household. The Voss syndicate had been entirely absorbed by Emmett’s forces, cementing his status as the undisputed king of the city's underworld.
It was late evening, and the winter snow was falling softly outside the repaired windows of the master suite. The fireplace crackled warmly, casting a golden glow over the massive four-poster bed.
Lena sat on the edge of the mattress, a soft smile playing on her lips. She was wearing a luxurious silk nightgown, a far cry from the restrictive black maid uniform she had worn for so long. The bruises on her arms had faded to a pale yellow, nearly gone.
Beside her, Theo was fast asleep, his small hands clutching the edge of a velvet blanket. He looked utterly peaceful, untouched by the violence that had nearly consumed them.
The heavy oak door creaked open, and Emmett stepped into the room. He wore soft grey sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt that stretched over his broad shoulders. His right arm was no longer in a sling, though a thick bandage remained beneath his shirt. He moved with his usual quiet grace, stopping at the edge of the bed to look down at his family.
"He finally went down?" Emmett whispered, his voice a low, comforting rumble.
"Just now," Lena whispered back, looking up at him. Her bright, expressive eyes shone with a deep, unwavering affection. "He asked for you."
"I was finishing a meeting with Marcus," Emmett said, sitting down carefully on the other side of the bed. He reached out, his tattooed fingers gently brushing a curl from Theo’s forehead. "The city is quiet. The remaining bosses have fallen in line. No one will dare raise a hand against this family again."
He shifted his gaze from his sleeping son to Lena. The intensity in his dark eyes made her breath hitch, just as it had on the night of the Christmas reception.
Emmett reached across the bed, his large hand gently capturing hers. He ran his thumb over her knuckles, tracing the delicate lines of her skin.
"I have a question for you, Lena," Emmett said softly, the dangerous mafia boss completely giving way to the devoted man underneath.
"Anything," she replied, her heart fluttering.
Emmett reached into his pocket with his free hand. When he pulled it out, he opened his palm to reveal a stunning, emerald-cut diamond ring that caught the firelight brilliantly. It was not a gaudy, ostentatious piece like the one Natalie had worn, but a ring of profound, elegant beauty.
Lena gasped, her free hand flying to cover her mouth.
"You saved my life. You saved my son's life," Emmett murmured, his dark eyes locked entirely on hers, burning with absolute sincerity. "But more than that, you gave me a reason to build a world worth living in. I don't want you as my protector, Lena. I don't want you as my guest."
He shifted closer, the heat of his body radiating against her.
"I want you as my wife. I want you as the mother of my children. I want you by my side, forever." Emmett paused, a small, genuine smile curving his angular jaw. "Will you marry me, Lena?"
Tears of pure, overwhelming joy spilled over her eyelashes. She didn't hesitate for a single second.
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"Yes," Lena choked out, a watery laugh escaping her lips. "Yes, Emmett. I will."
Emmett slid the diamond onto her finger. It fit perfectly. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss, sealing a promise that no war or enemy could ever break.
