Chapter 9 - The Sweetest OrchidA month passed like a healing balm over the city of New York.
The Lucchesi family was gone, absorbed into other operations or dismantled by federal authorities using evidence Damiano had anonymously provided. Bradley was currently serving a lengthy sentence in a psychiatric facility under maximum security.
The New York underworld had learned a vital, unshakeable lesson: the Devil of New York had a queen, and if you so much as looked at her the wrong way, the entire city would burn.
On a beautiful, sunny Friday morning, the bell above the door of Parker Blooms chimed.
Khloe looked up from the counter, a bright, radiant smile breaking across her face.
The shop had been completely restored. The glass was spotless, the refrigeration system was brand new (compliments of Moretti Enterprises), and the buckets were overflowing with the most magnificent flowers New York had ever seen.
Mr. Pickles was sitting on his usual brick step outside, but today, he was wearing a very dapper, small silk bowtie that matched the dark charcoal color of Damiano’s suit.
Damiano walked inside. He wasn't wearing his leather gloves today. His hands were bare, his fingers warm as he reached across the counter to take Khloe’s hand.
“Good morning,” Khloe said, her eyes shining. “You’re right on time.”
“I am always on time for you,” Damiano replied, his voice soft, full of a warmth that no longer felt foreign to his lips. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single, flawless white orchid—the one flower he had never bought from her because he had been waiting for the right moment.
He placed it gently behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her cheek.
“What are we buying today, Mr. Moretti?” she asked playfully. “All the peonies again?”
“No,” Damiano said, reaching into his inner jacket pocket and pulling out a small, velvet box. He opened it, revealing a stunning, flawless diamond ring shaped like a delicate rosebud surrounded by tiny emerald leaves.
“Today, I am buying a lifetime lease on the florist,” he murmured, dropping to one knee on the hardwood floor of the shop she loved. “Khloe Parker... will you marry a man who lives in the dark, but promises to give you nothing but the sun?”
Khloe’s breath caught. Tears of pure joy spilled over her lashes. She looked down at the terrifying man who had redefined his entire universe just to keep her safe.
May you like
“Yes,” she whispered, pulling him up by his lapels. “A thousand times yes.”
From the back office, Vincent and Pierce stepped out, clapping quietly. Even Mr. Pickles let out a loud, supportive meow from the doorway.
