From Mafia Wife to Empire Queen Chapter 08

From Mafia Wife to Empire Queen Chapter 08

A sickening crack of breaking bones echoed through the lobby.

Luca flew backward from the force of the kick, slamming heavily into a concrete support pillar.

He coughed up another mouthful of blood, curling up on the floor in agony, too hurt to even scream.

Salvatore stood over him, his gaze cold and deadly.

“Lay one hand on the woman I love again, and you’ll regret being born.”

He pulled out a silk handkerchief, wiped his foot clean casually, then tossed the soiled cloth directly onto Luca’s face in pure contempt.

“Have him arrested on charges of attempted assault and murder.”

“Contact the prison authorities and make sure Luca Moretti receives the ‘special treatment’ he deserves behind bars.”

Security guards stepped forward immediately, dragging the whimpering Luca away.

The lobby fell back into quiet order.

Salvatore spun to face me instantly, checking me over from head to toe with obvious worry.

“Are you hurt? Did he touch you at all?”

I shook my head, slipping my hand into his large, warm palm.

“I’m fine. Thank you for getting here when you did.”

Salvatore pulled me tightly into his arms, resting his head lightly on top of mine, his voice laced with quiet fear.

“Never meet a man like him alone again, do you understand me?”

I nodded obediently against his chest.

“Alright. I’ll listen to everything you say.”

Half a month later, Luca was convicted of attempted assault and sentenced to three years in state prison.

Inside the penitentiary, he faced endless retribution for all the enemies he’d made during his time as a Mafia Don.

With Salvatore pulling strings behind the scenes, Luca endured daily beatings and abuse.

Word eventually reached us that both his legs had been broken permanently, leaving him crippled for life.

Emma and the other mistresses fared no better.

Emma served her prison sentence for animal cruelty. During a violent altercation with another inmate, she miscarried her malformed twin fetuses forever.

The other two women who’d borne children abandoned their infants anonymously at a charity orphanage entrance, then fled New York to turn to sex work to survive.

The elderly Moretti Family patriarch never recovered from his heart attack, passing away before winter ended.

Without a strong leader to hold it together, the Moretti Group was quickly divided up and absorbed by Salvatore and other powerful New York families.

The once legendary Moretti name faded into history entirely.

Spring arrived the following year.

Salvatore and I held our private wedding ceremony on the island of Bali.

No media outlets were invited — only close family and dear friends attended the intimate beach wedding.

I walked down the sandy aisle in a custom-designed wedding gown crafted by Salvatore’s personal designer, arm linked through his.

The golden tropical sunlight glinted off his handsome features, his eyes soft and filled with nothing but love for me.

“Vera, thank you for giving me the gift of a family at last.”

He leaned down to kiss my lips gently, sliding the wedding band onto my finger amid the cheers and applause of our guests.

In that perfect moment, I let go of every wound and heartache from my past marriage.

We spent an entire month traveling on our honeymoon.

Shortly after returning to New York, I discovered I was pregnant.

Salvatore was overjoyed, clearing his entire schedule of business events to stay by my side every single day.

“Slow down, my love.”

“Tell me whatever you’re craving to eat, and I’ll have the private chef prepare it instantly.”

I laughed softly at his overprotective, cautious behavior.

“Salvatore, don’t be so over dramatic.”

He wrapped his arms around me firmly, completely unapologetic.

“I don’t need pride or dignity when I’m with my wife.”

“All I want is for you and our baby to be safe and happy forever.”

I leaned into his warm embrace, gently stroking my growing stomach, feeling the tiny new life inside me.

For the first time ever, I had found true, unconditional love.