Chapter 16 - A Kingdom Built on a Lie
The Lombardi organization did not collapse overnight.
Empires rarely did.
Instead, Sebastian dismantled it piece by piece.
Illegal contracts ended.
Shell companies were dissolved.
People who wanted to leave were allowed to leave.
People who refused the new rules lost access to Lombardi businesses.
Threats came.
Sebastian expected them.
But something surprised him.
Most employees preferred the legitimate world.
They had families.
Mortgages.
Children.
They wanted to go home at night without wondering if someone would retaliate against them for someone else’s mistake.
Within six months, Lombardi Holdings looked less like an empire and more like an actual corporation.
Hotels became the center of it.
Sebastian purchased an unfinished tower overlooking the Chicago River.
He called Clare from the construction site.
“I need your opinion.”
“About what?”
“Carpet.”
“You’re calling your physical therapist about carpet?”
“My physical therapist has strong opinions.”
“I have opinions about your posture.”
“Same thing.”
She visited with Owen.
Sebastian now used forearm crutches for short distances.
The wheelchair remained nearby.
He no longer viewed it as an enemy.
It had carried him through twenty years.
Now it was simply one tool among others.
Owen raced toward the windows.
“This is huge!”
Sebastian smiled.
“One day it’ll be a hotel.”
“Can it have a pool?”
“Yes.”
“A game room?”
“No.”
Owen looked offended.
Clare said, “You’ve lost his support.”
Sebastian whispered, “I’ll recover.”
They toured the unfinished building.
On the top floor, Sebastian stopped.
Clare noticed his face tighten.
“Pain?”
“A little.”
“Sit.”
“I’m fine.”
“Sebastian.”
He sighed and sat.
Progress had taught him something power never had.
Limits were not humiliation.
Sometimes strength meant listening.
Clare sat beside him.
“Better?”
“Yes.”
The Chicago skyline spread before them.
Sebastian looked toward the south.
“St. Gabriel is over there.”
“The hospital?”
“Yes.”
For years he had avoided looking at it.
Now he could.
“Do you hate them?” Clare asked.
“The hospital?”
“The people involved.”
“Some.”
“Your father?”
Sebastian thought.
“No.”
The answer surprised even him.
“I hate what he chose. I hate that he was afraid. But hating a dead man forever feels like another prison.”
Clare leaned against him.
“And Vittorio?”
“Ask me in twenty years.”
She laughed.
Then Sebastian said, “I want to name the rehabilitation center after my mother.”
Clare looked at him.
“What rehabilitation center?”
“The one going inside the hotel complex.”
“You’re building a rehab center?”
“For people who can’t afford private therapy.”
Clare stared.
“What?”
“You told me access changes outcomes.”
“I say many things.”
“I listen occasionally.”
She smiled.
He continued.
“I want you to run it.”
Her smile vanished.
“No.”
Sebastian blinked.
“That was fast.”
“I don’t want a job because we’re together.”
“That isn’t why.”
“Then interview other people.”
“I have.”
Clare stared at him.
“You already interviewed people?”
“Twelve.”
“And?”
“You’re better.”
She wanted to argue.
Instead, she said, “I’ll apply.”
Sebastian smiled.
“I look forward to your résumé.”
She nudged his shoulder.
Months later, Clare became clinical director of the Lucia Lombardi Rehabilitation Center after a committee chose her over fourteen applicants.
Sebastian claimed he had no influence.
Clare didn’t believe him.
But the vote had been unanimous.
Owen liked the pool.
There was no game room.
Yet.
Sebastian’s criminal kingdom had been built partly on fear.
The life replacing it was built on something far stranger to him.
Trust.
And the more he learned to trust, the stronger his legs became.
Until one morning Clare removed his crutches from the therapy room.
Sebastian stared at her.
“Where are they?”
“Not needed.”
“For what?”
She stood ten feet away.
May you like
“For what happens next.”
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