The first time Dante Caruso laid eyes on Clara Hayes, she was trading away her last lifeline to the outside world.

One Year Later.

The Caruso Estate was no longer just a fortress; it was a home.

The dark, imposing mahogany furniture had been replaced with bright, warm colors. Toys littered the manicured lawns.

Dante sat at the head of the long dining table. He was no longer the ruthless king of the underground. After wiping out the Romanov syndicate, Dante had used his absolute power to restructure his organization. He sold off the illegal rackets, pouring his billions into legitimate real estate, shipping, and a massive charitable foundation dedicated to providing healthcare for single mothers and underprivileged children.

He had become legitimate. Untouchable by the law, and respected by the city.

Clara walked into the dining room, radiant in a flowing white dress, a diamond ring glittering on her left hand. They had been married in a private ceremony in the estate's gardens a month prior.

"Leo!" Clara called out. "Dinner!"

Leo, now six and perfectly healthy, ran into the room, holding a massive, complex Lego structure. "Look, Dad! I built a castle! With a moat!"

Dante smiled, a true, deep smile that reached his eyes. He lifted the boy up, sitting him in the chair beside him. "It's a masterpiece, Leo. Perfectly structurally sound."

Clara sat on Dante's other side, resting her head on his shoulder. Dante wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

He thought back to that dingy pawn shop on Mercer Avenue. The cracked laptop. The desperation in her eyes. He had bought a broken machine to save a mother, and in return, that mother had saved his life.