Chapter 5 - THE EMPIRE REBUILT
Six months later.
The autumn wind off Baltimore Harbor was brisk, but inside the sprawling gardens of the Calder estate, the air was warm with laughter.
On the manicured lawn beneath the grand oak trees, a small, makeshift baseball diamond had been set up. Nine-year-old Caleb—now wearing a brand-new uniform and holding a professional-grade glove—swung at a pitch thrown by a very patient, suit-wearing mafia enforcer named Marcus, sending the ball flying toward the flowerbeds.
Caleb cheered, sprinting toward first base.
From the stone terrace, Nora watched with a wide, radiant smile. She wore a soft emerald-green dress that caught the afternoon sunlight, her hair falling in gentle waves around her shoulders.
Footsteps approached from behind. Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a familiar, solid chest. A chin rested softly on her head.
“He’s going to wear Marcus out before dinner,” Roman murmured into her hair.
Nora leaned back against him, resting her hands over his arms. “Marcus loves it. He told me yesterday he never had a little brother.”
Roman smiled, turning her gently in his arms so she was facing him. The cold, hardened edge that had defined his face for fourteen years was entirely gone, replaced by a deep, quiet warmth that only she had ever been allowed to see.
“Judge Sterling’s assets have been fully seized by federal authorities,” Roman reported quietly. “Evelyn is out of the country. She’ll never trouble you or your brother again.”
“And the estate?” Nora asked, tilting her head.
“The estate belongs to us now,” Roman said, leaning down to press a tender, lingering kiss to her lips. “All of us. You, me, and the best baseball player in Highlandtown.”
Down on the lawn, Caleb waved frantically toward the terrace. “Hey! Mom—I mean, Nora! Mr. Calder! Come on, we need an outfielder!”
Nora laughed, a bright, melodic sound that echoed over the Baltimore coast. She looked up at Roman, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
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“Come on, Boss,” she teased gently. “Let’s go show him how the waterfront is really run.”
Roman smiled, taking her hand in his, and together they walked down the stone steps into the sunlight, leaving the dark shadows of the past far behind.
