THE MAFIA BOSS CAME TO TAKE BACK HIS DOG—BUT WHEN THE DOG CHOSE THE HUMILIATED WOMAN INSTEAD, HE CLAIMED HER AS HIS FUTURE WIFE

Three months later.

The city of Port Aurelia was experiencing an era of unprecedented peace.

With Don Carmine in federal prison and the traitorous Capos eliminated, Dante Valente had completely restructured his empire. He liquidated the illegal shipping routes, shut down the dockland extortion rackets, and transitioned the Valente syndicate into the state’s largest legitimate logistics and real estate conglomerate.

The blood era was over. The era of the Valente Corporation had begun.

At the edge of the city, sitting on twenty acres of lush green hills, stood the newly completed Parker-Valente Animal Sanctuary—a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art rescue facility featuring modern veterinary clinics, indoor play parks, and acres of fenced pasture for stray animals.

It was a bright, sunny Saturday morning.

Emily stood in the center of the main courtyard, wearing comfortable jeans, a green polo shirt bearing the sanctuary’s crest, and a pair of muddy boots. She was helping a young family adopt a small golden retriever puppy, her face lit up with pure, radiant joy.

Standing near the entrance gates, watching her from a distance, was Dante.

He wore a dark blue suit without a tie, looking relaxed, powerful, and deeply content. Beside him sat Brutus—his shoulder completely healed, his coat shining like black satin under the sun, a bright red "ASSISTANCE DOG" bandana tied around his neck.

Marco walked up beside Dante, holding a leather tablet.

“All the legal transfers for the sanctuary are complete, Boss,” Marco reported softly. “Miss Parker... I mean, Mrs. Valente... now owns the deed outright.”

Dante smiled—a real, genuine smile that reached his gray eyes. “Good.”

“And the old Capos?” Marco asked quietly. “The ones who wanted to keep the street business going?”

“They’ve been retired with generous pensions,” Dante said smoothly. “Or they’ve left the state. I promised Emily this house would be clean. I intend to keep my word.”

Marco looked at Dante, a look of profound respect on his scarred face. “You’ve changed, Don Dante.”

“I didn't change, Marco,” Dante replied, his eyes never leaving Emily as she laughed and waved goodbye to the adopting family. “I just finally had something worth building for.”

Emily looked across the courtyard, spotted Dante, and gave him a bright wave. She walked over to them, her cheeks flushed with color from the sun.

Brutus immediately trotted forward, thrusting his massive head under her hand for scratches.

“How is my head director doing today?” Dante asked, reaching out to wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her close against his side.

“We adopted out six dogs and three cats before noon,” Emily said proudly, resting her head against his broad chest. “And the new surgery wing is fully operational.”

Dante kissed the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. “I have a surprise for you at the house.”