Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Elio reaches into the pocket of his silver suit jacket, reads the text message, and smirks over at me. He’s mine. We’ve said I love you so many times I’ve lost count. The first time we had sex, it was shocking and crazy, and I was struggling to believe I could be everything my man wanted me to be. Now, there’s no doubt.
I’m surprised, honestly, he texts, leaning against the bar, looking so stylish and confident and mine. Even Dad looks like he’s having a good time.
Looking across the table at Luca smirking at his blond date, Mom sitting beside Alessia, and Leo with a soft smile on his face, I remind myself how lucky I am— how lucky we are. Russel and his Shanks almost ruined our lives, but we fought for the Family, for family, period.
Terri approaches, a grin on her face. “How may I serve the lady?” she says, then leans down and whispers, “I’m so happy for you. You both look over the moon to be together.”
I touch her hand. “We are, but don’t think I’m all high and mighty now just because I’m on this side of the table. I’ll always be a waitress at heart.”
“No, girl,” Terri says confidently, picking up a plate. “You’ve always been destined for greater things. Don’t think I haven’t heard you singing when you think nobody’s listening. Maybe you don’t even know you’re doing it, but I know you’re going places.”
I smile and touch her arm. You’re a mafia queen now, Elio texts me from the bar. Don’t feel guilty about that.
How can you read me from all the way over there, hmm?
He smirks. I can read you just through texting. Don’t be so shocked, beautiful.
“Look at you two,” Alessia says, a big smile on her face. “Like two excited little doves.”
“Mom, did you just call Elio a dove?” Luca says, chuckling.
She beams. “I called him little, too. That’s the thing about motherhood, Luca. No matter how old your children get, they’re always little. They’re always tiny. They always need you.”
Tears press against my eyes, trying to fall. She’s taken my broodiness to another level. Every time Elio and I make love, I lie there with my hand on my belly, wondering, hoping.
“She’s right, though.” Luca grins over. I know what he did for his brother. I hope when Elio and I have children, they’re as close as he and Luca. “You two are almost making me think love is possible. That’s a psychopathic achievement right there.”
His date laughs, but I can see there’s no real love between them. Or maybe that’s judgmental of me. It’s not like every relationship can start with the thunderbolt of need that began ours. It’s not like I can expect everybody else to know instantly when they see their man.
Suddenly, everybody is looking at me like they’re expecting something. My phone vibrates in my pocket. Across the restaurant—what the hell—Elio is on one knee, looking at me. The whole restaurant has gone quiet.
“Check your phone,” Alessia whispers, tears in her eyes.
I take it out and go to my texts. There’s a message from Elio. Will you marry me?
I spring out of the chair. I’ve thrown my phone by accident. “Yes,” I cry, no embarrassment at all. It’s like everybody else has disappeared. My man is rushing across the restaurant.
He sweeps me into his arms and spins me around. My whole universe is spinning. A song soars in my heart. I never knew happiness like this could exist. I never knew I could experience it.
“Wait, the ring.” Elio chuckles, taking my hand and slipping it onto my finger. It’s a large, beautiful diamond in a silver band. It glistens on my finger. Elio leans in and kisses me. I can feel the hunger in him, the desire to make the kiss deeper, more real, but he’s holding back. He doesn’t want to let himself go in front of everybody.
“Oh my God, Leo!”
We all turn. Leo has my phone in his hand.
“Did he catch it?” Luca says, in shock.
Elio steps forward. “Dad?”
Slowly, a smile spreads across Leo’s face.
EPILOGUE
TWO WEEKS LATER
Elio
“There’s a system to everything,” I tell Luca, leading him through the office. There have been times in the past when Luca would say he wanted to learn about the business more. Then he’d come in hungover, stinking of booze, and not paying attention. Now, though, I see how alert he is. “Far more than half the business is legit now. That takes real skills. Not street bullshit.”
Luca nods, leaning against the pillar. The city is behind him, shown through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“I can handle it,” he says.
“I noticed you weren’t drinking on the night,” I reply.
He grins. He doesn’t have to ask when I mean by the night. He knows I’m talking about asking my woman the most important question of our lives. He knows it was the most memorable moment of my life.