Under His Protection

Chapter 20: New Beginnings

The sun rose over the Ricci estate, casting a soft, golden light over the remnants of the battle. The grounds, once teeming with chaos and violence, were now eerily calm. The Costas were defeated, their leader dead, and what remained of their forces had either fled or been captured.

Dante and Leo stood on the balcony of the Ricci estate, overlooking the land they had fought so hard to protect. The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder and sweat, but it also carried a sense of relief and victory. The war between the Riccis and the Costas was finally over.

For the first time in months, there was a profound stillness in the air—a peace that had been hard-won and paid for in blood.

"You ever think we'd get to this day?" Leo asked, leaning against the railing, his eyes scanning the horizon.

Dante sighed, the weight of the last few days heavy on his shoulders. "There were times I wasn't sure. But we made it."

Leo glanced over at him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We didn't just make it. We won. The Ricci family is stronger than ever, and with the Costas out of the picture, we can finally rebuild."

Dante nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The victory was sweet, but it had come at a high cost. He couldn't help but think of the lives that had been lost, the betrayals they had uncovered, and the toll the war had taken on everyone involved.

"Rebuilding won't be easy," Dante said, his voice low. "There's going to be a lot of work to do. The Costas may be finished, but their allies are still out there. We'll need to watch our backs."

Leo stepped closer, resting a hand on Dante's shoulder. "We've got each other. We've survived worse. We'll handle whatever comes next."

Dante looked at him, and for a moment, the tension that had been building for months seemed to ease. In Leo's eyes, he saw the same fire and determination that had carried them through every battle, every betrayal. They were more than partners—they were bound by loyalty, trust, and something deeper that neither of them could fully explain.

"You're right," Dante said, allowing a small smile to break through. "We've come this far. We're not going to stop now."

Leo grinned, his confidence infectious. "Damn right we're not."

As they stood together, the morning light bathing them in warmth, Matteo approached with a respectful nod. "Boss, everything's been taken care of. The remaining Costas have been rounded up, and our men are handling the cleanup. We're in the clear."

"Good," Dante said. "And the men? How are they holding up?"

"They're in good spirits," Matteo replied. "Loyalty to the Ricci family is stronger than ever. They know we came out on top because of your leadership."

Dante's expression softened. "It wasn't just me. We did this together."

Matteo nodded, glancing between Dante and Leo. "I know. And the men do too. We're with you, both of you, no matter what comes next."

With that, Matteo excused himself, leaving Dante and Leo to their thoughts. The weight of leadership was heavy, but for the first time in a long time, Dante felt like they could finally breathe. The future, uncertain as it was, no longer seemed as daunting.

Leo stretched, letting out a contented sigh. "You know what we need?"

Dante raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"A vacation," Leo said, grinning. "Somewhere far away from all this. Just you and me. No more gunfights, no more mafia wars. Just... peace."

Dante chuckled, the idea of leaving it all behind for a while sounding better with every passing second. "You might be onto something. We deserve a break after everything."

Leo leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "And who knows? Maybe we can find a place with a bed big enough for both of us."

Dante's smirk widened, and he turned to face Leo fully. "I think I could get used to that."

For a moment, the world around them faded, and it was just the two of them, standing on the precipice of a new beginning. The war was over, and for the first time in years, Dante and Leo could finally look to the future—together.

As they stood side by side, the sun climbed higher into the sky, casting a brilliant light over the Ricci estate. It was a new day, and with it came the promise of a life free from the shadows of their past.

They had fought, bled, and sacrificed for this moment. And now, they were ready to take whatever came next—together.