12. Epilogue
12
Epilogue
F our months later
Matteo
Blood drips from my knuckles, splattering on the marble floor of the Commission chamber. The copper scent mingles with gunpowder and fear. Four bodies lie at my feet—Caruso’s last desperate loyalists who dared try to kill me at another Commission meeting.
Seriously, they are as dumb as Massimo.
“Is this all of them?” I ask, my voice calm.
Valentino nods by the chamber door. “All accounted for, boss.”
I turn to the twelve powerful Commission members gathered around an ancient table. They had asked for my presence to deal with the last batch of Massimo’s men, when we were suddenly attacked again.
Meeting my father’s gaze, I announce, “Apologies for the interruption, gentlemen. Please, continue with the sentencing of Caruso’s remaining men. ”
After a long silence, Don Vincenzo clears his throat. “I believe this matter has resolved itself rather... definitively,” he says, his hands folded.
He turns to my father. “Luca, it appears your son handles threats to our order with remarkable efficiency.”
My father’s lips curl into a subtle smile. “He always has.”
“The Commission recognizes the rightness of Bellanti control,” adds Don Vitale, his gold rings catching the light as he gestures to the bodies. “These fools have hastened not only their own demise but that of any who challenge the new order.”
“New order,” my father repeats thoughtfully as he stands, commanding every eye in the room. “Perhaps more new than you realize, my friends.”
He approaches me with measured steps. For thirty years, my father has ruled our syndicate with brutal precision, earning the title of the country’s most dangerous man. Now, he studies my face as if memorizing it one last time.
“I had planned to wait until things quieted,” he says, his voice filling the silent chamber. “But the time has arrived sooner than expected.”
He removes his heavy gold signet ring—a symbol of his decades-long authority. The Commission shifts, understanding the importance of the moment.
“Matteo, my son,” he proclaims before the gathered dons, “I name you Don of the Bellanti syndicate. All that was mine is now yours to command. All loyalties sworn to me transfer to you. ”
He places the ring in my palm. “May you lead our family with strength and wisdom.”
I close my fingers around the ring, metal warming my skin. This moment—groomed for since birth—feels surreal.
“I accept this responsibility,” I reply evenly. “I will protect our family and its interests with my life.”
I slid the ring onto my finger; it fit perfectly, as if it were always meant to be there. The Commission members rise in respect, acknowledging the power transition.
“Matteo Bellanti is now our Don,” Don Vincenzo declares. “May your reign be long and prosperous.”
My father steps back to his traditional place beside me, and in that instant, the power dynamics of our organization shift irrevocably.
I glance down at the men who thought to assassinate me in front of the most powerful criminal leaders. Their blood seeps into the marble—a new layer in the foundation of Bellanti power.
“Clean this up,” I order Valentino. “And prepare transport for the Commission back to the estate. I believe we have a celebration to attend.
Later, at the Bellanti estate, music and conversation pulse like a heartbeat. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden light over family members and allies gathered to celebrate my father’s retirement and my appointment.
Elena enters, and I catch sight of her immediately. How could I not ?
The blue dress that I picked for her clings to her curves, making her eyes sparkle like jewels. Fiona hangs on her hip, my daughter’s dark curls bouncing as she surveys the crowd with curious eyes.
My daughter. Though biologically she may not be mine, in every important way she belongs to me—just as her mother does.
Elena's gaze meets mine and her lips curve into a smile. Four months ago, on the terrace outside this very hall, I confessed my love to her, and she confessed hers to me.
Since then, she has become a formidable force within our family, earning respect for her intelligence and loyalty.
Whispers spread about her—the woman who put three perfect bullets in Caruso’s heart, who stands unflinchingly beside the Bellanti heir.
Don Bellanti now , I remind myself, feeling the ring’s weight on my finger.
Elena makes her way toward me, greeting some relatives on the way. Fiona waves excitedly, nearly toppling from Elena’s arms in her eagerness.
“Careful, tesoro,” Elena murmurs as she adjusts her hold on our squirming daughter.
I close the gap, taking Fiona into my arms. She presses a sloppy kiss on my cheek and exclaims, “Papa!” God, I will never be tired of hearing that word from her.
“Hello, princess,” I say, inhaling the sweet scent of baby powder. “Are you being good for Mama? ”
She babbles and buries her face in my neck. Over her dark curls, I catch Elena’s knowing gaze.
“Everything went well at the Commission?” she asks quietly.
“Better than expected,” I reply evenly. “I’ll tell you later.” Shifting Fiona to one arm, I reach for Elena’s hand with the other. The signet ring catches her eye, and she whispers, “It has happened?”
I nod. “My father felt the timing was right.”
Her expression shifts to pride, concern and something deeper. She squeezes my hand. “Then tonight is an even bigger celebration than planned.”
Before I can respond, my sister Isabella appears with Nico close behind, her bump barely visible in her golden dress.
“Matteo,” she greets, kissing each of my cheeks. “I heard about what happened. Something about a commission meeting gone sideways?”
“News travels fast,” I observe dryly.
“There is blood on your sleeve,” Nico murmurs. “You didn’t have time to change?”
I glance at the faint stain on my cuff. “Other priorities.” I nod to my father, standing quietly with Don Vincenzo across the room.
Isabella’s eyes narrow. “Something has happened, hasn’t it? Something big.”
“Your brother has had an eventful day,” Elena adds gently, squeezing Isabella’s hand. “As have I. ”
My father catches my eye and nods. It’s time.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I say, my voice carrying over the crowd. The room falls silent. “Tonight, we honor my father’s leadership.”
I step beside him, the signet ring gleaming. “Today, before the Commission, my father stepped down as Don. After thirty years, he passes this legacy to me.”
A murmur of surprise and approval runs through the hall.
My father steps forward. “My son has proven himself in every challenge. Under his leadership, our enemies have fallen, our alliances strengthened, and our future secured.” Turning to me, his pride is unmistakable. “The Commission recognizes him as Don Bellanti. I ask you all to do the same.”
Don Vincenzo raises his glass. “To Don Matteo Bellanti—may your reign bring prosperity.”
Glasses rise in acknowledgment as I incline my head in acceptance, feeling the weight of loyalty and expectation.
“I am honored,” I say simply. “And one more announcement makes this night even more significant.”
I extend my hand to Elena. She approaches with Fiona on her hip. “Elena,” I announce loudly, “has agreed to stand with me as Donna Bellanti—to be my wife, my partner, and the mother of my children: Fiona, and the child she now carries.”
Her hand finds mine as murmurs sweep the crowd. “I hope I have your blessings. ”
“To The Bellantis!” Lorenzo yells, holding up his champagne glass.
“To The Bellantis!” The room roars.
Hours later, after endless congratulations and conversations, Elena and I escape to our private wing. She kicks off her heels, removes her earrings, and remarks, “Don Bellanti suits you.”
I remove my jacket and reply, “Donna Bellanti suits you, though you’ve filled that role unofficially for months.”
She smiles and unpins her hair, letting it fall in soft waves. “The women know it. The men are still catching up.”
I cross to her, my hands resting on her waist. “How are you feeling? The baby—”
“Is perfect,” she assures me, leaning back against me. “Just making his presence known with morning sickness.”
I caress her still-flat abdomen protectively. “A boy, do you think?”
She teases, “Does the mighty Don have a preference?”
“Only that they’re healthy and have your eyes,” I answer honestly.
She laughs softly. “You say that now, but I’ve seen how you are with Fiona. Soon, you’ll be wrapped around our baby’s finger.”
I can’t deny it. Fiona changed something in me the moment Elena placed her in my arms. The fierce protectiveness I’ve always felt for my family now extends to this tiny being—even if not by blood.
A soft knock interrupts. Elena answers and returns with Fiona .
“The nanny said she couldn’t sleep. Mind if she sleeps with us?”
“She’s my daughter too, Elena. You don’t have to ask.”
“Come here honey,” I coo and carefully take her from Elena, placing her on the bed, in between her mother and I.
Minutes later, in darkness, Elena’s hand finds mine, and she murmurs, “You were attacked by Massimo’s men at the commission, weren’t you?”
“I’m not surprised you’ve pieced it together,” I whisper. “Yes—Caruso loyalists. The last of them. It’s over now.”
She is silent for a long moment, her thumb tracing circles on my hand. “Does it ever end? There will always be someone who wants what you have.”
I tighten my grip. “There will always be threats. But none like Caruso. I dismantled his network completely. I will protect you, Fiona, and this baby. You will be the most protected family in the country. I swear it.”
Her reply is simple and sure: “I know.”
In that quiet moment, as I watch Fiona’s gentle sleep and gaze at Elena—the woman who has become the center of my existence—I realize that after a life built on blood and fear, I now have something worth dying for.
Something worth living for and I will bedamned if I let anyone take that away from me.
I pull Elena closer, brushing my lips against her forehead and Fiona’s .
For them, I will rewrite the rules of our world. My empire and my heart belong to the same queen now—and I will burn this city to ashes before I let either fall.
The End