Chapter 9 - The Crimson Dress
That evening, after putting Leo down to sleep in his crib, Nora stood before the mirror in her bedroom.
She wore a stunning, off-the-shoulder crimson dress that gracefully draped over her full curves, accentuating every soft, beautiful line of her body. She wore the platinum key pendant around her neck, letting it rest gently against her collarbone.
At exactly eight o’clock, a low, familiar rumble echoed from the driveway outside.
Nora walked down the stairs, her heart hammering against her ribs like a runaway drum. She reached the front foyer just as the heavy oak front door swung open.
Gabriel Moretti stood in the doorway.
He looked magnificent. He had shed his heavy overcoat, wearing a tailored black suit with an unbuttoned white shirt, his silver-streaked hair slightly tousled from the evening breeze. His gray eyes swept into the house, landing instantly on Nora.
For a long moment, the entire world outside stopped spinning.
Gabriel looked at her—really looked at her—taking in the radiant glow, the confidence, the vibrant beauty of the woman standing before him. The cold, untouchable mafia don vanished, replaced by a man who had finally found his way back to his anchor.
Without a word, Gabriel closed the door behind him, dropped his keys onto the console table, and crossed the foyer in three long strides.
He reached her, his large hands sliding instantly around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest. Nora gasped softly, wrapping her arms around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder and breathing in the familiar scent of cedar and expensive cologne.
“You came back,” Nora whispered, tears of pure happiness stinging her eyes.
Gabriel pulled back just enough to look down into her face. His gray eyes burned with an intense, unyielding devotion.
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“I told you I would,” Gabriel murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I don't break my promises, Nora. Not to my business, and certainly not to my heart.”
He lowered his head and captured her lips in a deep, passionate, soul-shattering kiss that tasted of forever.
