Chapter 14
He reached out, pulling her gently until she leaned against his knee, looking out over the water together.
"In my world, Mia, people think power is having money, or having men with guns, or making other people afraid," Dante whispered, resting his hand on her shoulder. "They're wrong. True power is loving someone so much that you would walk through a storm with ninety-five cents in your pocket and challenge the whole world to stop you."
He looked down at her, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips.
"You taught me that, little girl. And as long as I have breath in my body, nobody in this world is ever going to challenge you again."
Mia leaned her head against his arm, her small hand resting over his calloused fingers.
Down on the grass, Lily let out a bright, joyful squeal as the dog rolled onto its back in the clover.
The lake breeze swept across the terrace, warm and sweet with the scent of blooming roses and open water.
The bottle was full.
The storm had passed.
And the little girl who had walked four miles through the dark to buy milk had finally, permanently come home.