Chapter 17 - Rebuilding
Weeks turned into months. The bakery in the East End was rebuilt, larger and more beautiful than before, but Clara didn't move back into the apartment above it. She stayed at the estate.
She ran her business during the day, chauffeured by Silvio or Dante, and returned to the fortress at night. Julian began to change. He still ruled the underworld, but his methods shifted. The senseless violence ceased. He transitioned his operations toward legitimate enterprises—real estate, shipping, casinos.
He was building an empire that could survive in the light, because he finally had a reason to live outside the shadows.
Lily began calling him "Papa J." The first time she said it, Julian had to excuse himself to his study, where he poured a glass of scotch and quietly wept for the family he was finally allowed to have.
One evening, Clara was teaching Julian how to knead bread in the estate kitchen. His massive hands were clumsy with the dough, and he ended up with flour in his gray hair.
"You’re supposed to be a criminal mastermind," Clara teased, laughing as she wiped flour from his nose. "And you can't even fold a croissant."
Julian wrapped his flour-covered hands around her waist, pulling her against him. "I have other talents," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her.
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"Ew, gross!" Lily squealed, running into the kitchen with her velvet rabbit.
Julian laughed—a deep, booming sound that filled the house. It was the sound of a man who was finally alive.
