Chapter 10 - The Syndicate's Queen
Six months later, the Chicago winter covered the estate in a thick, peaceful blanket of white snow.
The heavy bronze gates were still there, but they no longer felt like a cage.
They felt like a shield.
I stood in the massive kitchen, watching through the bay window as Silas built a snowman in the courtyard.
Lily was bundled in a pink snowsuit, laughing hysterically as Silas placed a large carrot on the snowman's face.
The most dangerous man in the city was currently taking orders from a four-year-old girl about where to place the coal buttons.
I smiled, taking a sip of my warm coffee.
The debt Marcus left behind was completely erased.
The rival families had been crushed, and Silas had consolidated his power, making the streets quieter and infinitely safer.
He had stepped back from the front lines of the syndicate, delegating the violence to his lieutenants so he could be home before dinner.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Silas kissed the side of my neck, his skin cold from the winter air.
"She demanded hot chocolate," Silas muttered, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"With extra marshmallows."
"You spoil her," I teased, leaning back into his solid chest.
"She deserves to be spoiled," Silas replied, turning me around in his arms to face him.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
My breath hitched in my throat as he flipped it open, revealing a diamond ring that caught the morning light.
"I know I didn't give you a choice in the beginning," Silas said softly, looking down at me with absolute vulnerability.
"I forced you into my world to settle a debt."
He took my hand, his thumb gently rubbing my knuckles.
"But I am asking you now, Elena, entirely by your own free will."
He got down on one knee, ignoring the cold marble floor beneath him.
"Will you stay with me forever?"
Tears of pure joy spilled over my eyelashes as I looked at the man who had saved my life.
He was scary, and he was ruthless, but Lily was right.
He was not a monster.
"Yes," I whispered, pulling him back to his feet and kissing him deeply.
May you like
I had walked through those gates as collateral.
But I was going to stay as the queen.
