Chapter 6 - The Night Chicago Watched Her Choose Him
Six months later, Lucia’s looked almost exactly the same.
Bella had insisted on it.
Same mahogany.
Same chandeliers.
Same white linen.
One thing had changed.
Bella no longer wore a server’s jacket.
She was the general manager.
She had also returned to college part-time.
Marco’s treatment continued to work.
And Alessandro still occupied table twelve every Tuesday.
Tonight, however, the restaurant was filled with Chicago’s wealthiest families.
Bella was supervising a charity dinner benefiting families dealing with rare diseases.
She stood near the center of the ballroom in a crisp white blouse and black trousers.
Alessandro approached in a black three-piece suit.
His tattoos remained visible across his hands and along his neck.
Bella looked him over.
“You’re late.”
“Seven minutes.”
“Late.”
“I was meeting the mayor.”
“Tell him my event starts at seven.”
Alessandro smiled.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Several guests nearby stared.
Nobody spoke to Alessandro Moretti that way.
Nobody except Bella.
Vinnie approached.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“There’s someone outside.”
Alessandro saw his expression.
“Who?”
“Salvatore Bianchi.”
Bella turned.
“I thought he was in custody.”
“Released pending testimony.”
Alessandro’s face hardened.
“Bring him in.”
Bianchi entered several minutes later.
He looked older.
Smaller.
He stopped before Alessandro.
“I came to say thank you.”
Alessandro stared.
“For what?”
“For not killing me.”
Bella folded her arms.
“Low standard.”
Bianchi almost smiled.
Then his expression became serious.
“I testified yesterday.”
“I heard.”
“Romano will never see the outside again.”
Alessandro nodded.
Bianchi looked at Bella.
“You saved my life.”
“I saved the restaurant carpet.”
“No.”
His voice broke slightly.
“You saved my life.”
Bella had no response.
Bianchi looked at Alessandro.
“And maybe yours.”
Alessandro glanced at Bella.
“Yes.”
Bianchi extended his hand.
Alessandro stared at it.
Then shook it.
“Start over, Salvatore.”
Bianchi nodded.
“I intend to.”
He left.
Bella watched him go.
Then turned toward Alessandro.
“Look at you.”
“What?”
“Forgiveness.”
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“Personal growth.”
“Stop.”
She smiled.
Alessandro reached into his jacket.
Bella immediately narrowed her eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing dangerous.”
“That sentence from you means absolutely nothing.”
He removed a small velvet box.
Bella froze.
Around them, conversations began disappearing.
“Alessandro.”
He opened it.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
Not enormous.
Not designed to impress a room.
Designed for her.
Bella looked at him.
“Do not kneel.”
He paused.
“Why?”
“Because everyone is watching.”
“That’s traditionally how proposals work.”
“Alessandro.”
He smiled.
Then remained standing.
“Isabella Rossi.”
“Oh God.”
“You grabbed my wrist the first night we met.”
“You deserved it.”
“You insulted me.”
“You deserved that too.”
“You refused my money.”
“Obviously.”
“You ordered me around.”
“Constantly.”
“You changed the way I handle my business.”
Bella’s smile faded.
His voice softened.
“And you reminded me that power means nothing if every person beside you is there because they’re afraid.”
The room became silent.
Alessandro looked directly into her eyes.
“You are the only person I have ever met who was terrified of me and still told me the truth.”
Bella whispered:
“Alessandro…”
“I don’t want someone who obeys me.”
He held out the ring.
“I want you.”
Bella stared at him.
“And I know better than to give you an order.”
Laughter moved through the room.
“So I’m asking.”
Alessandro took her hand.
“Marry me.”
Bella remained silent.
Five seconds.
Ten.
Vinnie whispered from behind them:
“This is painful.”
Bella looked over Alessandro’s shoulder.
“Quiet, Vinnie.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She looked back at Alessandro.
“One condition.”
A nervous laugh moved through the room.
Alessandro smiled.
“Of course.”
“No secrets.”
“Agreed.”
“No disappearing for three days and telling me it’s business.”
“Agreed.”
“No buying companies every time I complain about my boss.”
“That seems unnecessarily restrictive.”
“Alessandro.”
“Fine.”
“And when I tell you you’re wrong?”
He sighed.
“I listen.”
Bella smiled.
“Then yes.”
Applause exploded.
Alessandro slid the ring onto her finger.
Then Bella grabbed his lapels and kissed him.
Vinnie raised his glass.
“To the only woman in Chicago who successfully negotiated with Alessandro Moretti.”
Bella pulled away.
“Successfully?”
Vinnie nodded.
“Boss bought you a restaurant, funded a hospital program, changed half his business, and just agreed to lifetime supervision.”
Alessandro looked at Bella.
“He has a point.”
Bella smiled.
“Best deal you ever made.”
Alessandro kissed her forehead.
May you like
“Not even close.”
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