Chapter 14 - Rebirth of the Pride
The cabin of the Sikorsky was warm, smelling of aviation fuel, damp wool, and the faint, sweet scent of hot chocolate from an open thermos.
Dante collapsed onto the floorboards, completely drained of physical strength, but his eyes never left his family.
Elena lay on the leather bench, weeping uncontrollably as Leo threw his small arms around her neck. The boy was crying too, not out of fear this time, but with the boundless, pure relief of a child who had finally found the warmth he had been denied his whole life.
""Mommy... you came back,"" Leo sobbed into her shoulder, his little hands touching her face, her hair, making sure she was real. ""Daddy said you were coming. He promised.""
Elena held her son against her chest, kissing his brow over and over again, her tears mingling with the dampness of his hair. ""I’m here, my sweet boy. I’m never leaving you again. Never.""
Dante sat against the cabin wall, watching them. His navy suit was torn, stained with grease, blood, and seawater. His knuckles were raw and split. But for the first time in six long years, the heavy, suffocating darkness that had lived behind his eyes was completely gone.
Marcus handed Dante a fresh towel and a glass of neat whiskey. ""The Coast Guard picked up Julian Sterling trying to launch a jet ski at the south pier. Amanda was intercepted at the private airfield with three million in cash and forged passports. Both are in federal holding cells, charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, and treason.""
Dante took the whiskey, took a slow sip, and let out a long breath. ""And Thorne?""
""Divers confirmed the explosion took him down with the switching station. The Thorne cartel is extinguished, Boss. Completely.""
Dante nodded once. ""Clean up the estate. I want the east wing rebuilt before the week ends. Make sure Leo’s room has windows that face the morning sun.""
""Consider it done, Mr. Vance,"" Marcus replied, a faint smile touching his battered face as he retreated to the cockpit.
May you like
Dante crawled over to the bench, sitting beside his wife and son. Leo reached out his little hand and took Dante’s index finger, holding it with the same fierce grip he had used at Amanda’s doorway. Dante wrapped his broad, protective arms around both of them, shielding them from the world outside.
The helicopter banked smoothly, turning away from the dark ocean and flying toward the rising golden dawn over the city skyline.
