Chapter 32
The next six months passed in a simple, peaceful rhythm that Dante Russo never thought he would have the privilege to experience. Sweet Haven Bakery flourished remarkably, quickly becoming the most popular and bustling destination in the Brooklyn neighborhood. Every morning, instead of locking himself in a dark office drafting assassination plans or negotiating territories, Dante personally drove Sophia to her kindergarten class, then stopped by the bakery for a steaming cup of espresso brewed by Maya’s own hands.
However, Dante never allowed this tranquility to make him careless. Even though the Barone syndicate had been completely dismantled by federal RICO charges and the traitor Luca was enduring solitary confinement at the ADX Florence supermax prison, the shadows of the underworld were always a monster waiting to rise. He had quietly assigned Matteo—his most loyal and talented right-hand man—as the undercover security manager for the perimeter around the bakery.
Matteo no longer wore tactical, lethal gear; he dressed in sharp, elegant suits, playing the role of a regular customer. He often sat at a small, secluded corner table, sipping coffee and biting into a crispy croissant while his sharp eyes silently monitored everyone entering and exiting the shop. Maya was fully aware of Matteo’s presence, but she never felt suffocated or monitored the way Elena had in the past. She understood that this was Dante’s way of showing his love and his fierce desire to protect her. Instead of fearing them, Maya would often bring Matteo and the undercover guards the freshest, warmest pastries straight from the oven. Her genuine warmth and kindness slowly tamed the rigid rules of the Russo family, transforming cold-blooded guards into silent, dedicated, and compassionate protectors.
