Extended Epilogues

Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book?

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

Which was the part you liked most in the book?

Even a character, a scene, or anything that you enjoyed.

In Dark Mafia Romance, do you prefer lighter (with more humor and romcom vibes) or darker (with darker themes and scenes like murder, torture and SA) stories? *

• I prefer lighter with more humor and romcom vibes.
• I prefer darker with darker themes and scenes like murder, torture and SA.
• I like both.

Do you like stories where there is an age gap between the male main character and the female main character? *

• Yes, love that trope!
• I don't know? But I'd give it a try.
• Not at all.

What do you like to see on dark mafia romance book covers? *

• The male main character.
• The female main character.
• Both main characters.
• I prefer covers with no people on them at all.

Who is your favorite dark mafia romance author?

Please don't say me, I need some new inspo!❤️

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Luca

Two months later

Never in the world has a woman looked more stunningly beautiful than my bride does tonight.

My bride.

Wife.

Katya Levine is my wife. She’s declared to the whole world that I am the one that she wants to spend the rest of her years with and I could not possibly want it any other way. I’m so happy that I could sing it to the entire world. I’m sorely tempted to. I would, actually, if it weren’t for the fact that Katya has explicitly told me that I’m not allowed to do anything of the sort.

My stunning new bride spins around the dance floor as if she’s moving on clouds.

The veil that she was married in is pinned up closer to her head and the elaborate updo that she picked for the evening. The strapless gown that she chose for today takes my breath away each and every time I allow myself to look at it for too long. The smile that she’s has plastered across her face has the very same effect on me but I will happily indulge.

She’s pinned the bulk of her skirt up in the back so that she can dance and I’m rewarded with brief, intimate flashes of her shapely legs every time she twirls just a little too far.

“Do you know how impressive I find you?” I ask her as she spins in closer to me. Her back pressed as much against my chest as her dress will allow.

“Oh? And why’s that?” Katya grins as I spin her away and back again.

“Moving so easily in your… condition.” I wink as she moves out once more.

The music is so loud at our reception that the only time she can hear me speak at all is when I pull her in close to my chest and growl my words into her ear.

Though, I might like it better like this. It means that I get to see the furiously red blush blossom across her cheeks and there’s nothing that she can do to stop me teasing her every chance that I get.

“Stop it!” Katya practically begs as we move closer once more. “Somebody will hear you and get the wrong impression!”

“What, that you’re pregnant?” I shake my head. “Not yet. But who cares if they do?”

That only makes her blush deepen.

“Seriously.” I commend her. “You’ve been such a good girl so far this evening, I don’t think that anybody has any idea what you’re wearing for me under that dress of yours. Can you feel it every time you move?”

I can see her gritting her teeth. No doubt she doesn’t want to talk about it here. But I’m also willing to bet that she’s so turned on her thighs are coated with her wetness right now as well.

“I’m… getting used to it.”

“Then next time, we will have to get you something with a little more weight.” I tease.

I love watching the way her pupils dilate and her eyes widen at my words. I bet she’s picturing it right now. I hope she is. She had been nearly filled with outrage when I told her that she wasn’t allowed to wear anything underneath of her wedding dress apart from my one, special little item. She had balked and thrown a fit but a few minutes of convincing her with my tongue between her legs and she had caved. Had let me put it on her without so much of a fuss.

The plug was something new for her, she said. But if she was going to promise her life and body to me – I wanted to be able to have all of her body. Every inch and every hole would belong to me. What better night to claim her fully than tonight?

“Somebody is going to know if you don’t stop talking about it!” Katya pushes against my chest like that’s going to do anything but encourage me further.

“Oh, that’s how you want to play it?” I answer and slip my hand into my pocket. She realizes the error of her ways a moment too late when my fingers close around the small remote that controls the vibrating underwear that she’s wearing.

Katya’s knees clamp shut and she nearly falters in her dance step as she whimpers with the sudden pleasure now vibrating against her clit. Her grip is like iron on my bicep as she fights to regain composure and starts to dance once more. Albeit a little less graceful than she had been before.

“Do you think that you will be able to keep them on all night for me, my love?” I whisper into her ear.

She doesn’t answer, but the defiant fire in her eyes lets me know that she’s going to power through. She doesn’t want to lose our little game. She wants me to claim her just as much as I do.

“Or, would a better question be – do you think you’re going to make it all night?” I tilt my head to the side in silent question. I push the button on the panties once more and her knees go weak. She bites down on her bottom lip and I pull her into my chest as the song mercifully shifts into a slow dance. I support her weight with an arm banded around her waist and carry the pair of us through the dance as I know the vibrations are relentless between her legs. No doubt it’s worse every time that I force her to move through the motions of the dance.

I wonder how close she is.

I need to feel her. I want to see her come undone.

Just when her eyes threaten to roll back in her head in front of all of our guests, I turn the panties off. A light sheen of sweat covers her forehead as she glares up at me.

Just to be a shit, I turn them back on full force for five seconds, and then off again.

“Something you need, my love?” I ask her with a saccharine smile.

“Take me somewhere. Now.” she demands.

“So needy.” I click my tongue in admonishment.

“Please. Sir. Take me out of here.” She requests, catching herself.

“I think you can take it a little longer.” I turn the panties on low, just enough to make her miserable with the sensation she can do nothing about as I take a step away from her. “Hmm, I think that I need a drink.”

I know good and damned well that it’s going to be hard for her to walk after me without being noticeable. She closes the distance between us anyway. She’s trying her damned best.

I turn them up a notch again. I swear I can see her nipples through her gown and her thighs clenching together.

“Unless you want to be a good girl, and beg?” I whisper so that only she can hear. My lips brush ever so softly down the column of her neck as I speak.

Full of fire and spark, she glares at me. “Please, Luca, take me out of here… now… please.”

I grin ear to ear and turn the panties up as high as they will go before taking her hand in mind and heading right off of the dance floor. It’s our wedding, after all, we can do whatever we want.

***

Katya

Faster. Faster. Faster.

I can’t walk for much longer. There’s just no way that he can expect me to keep up with him in these conditions. The moment that we are out of the main hall of the venue, Luca turns and scoops me right up and flings me over his shoulder, but he doesn’t turn the damned underwear down for a second. I have to bite down on my lip to keep from crying out in pleasure. I don’t think that I’m going to be able to take it much longer.

I clench my thighs together tightly as my fists ball into the fabric of his jacket. I’m sorely tempted to bite him for good measure just because I can’t take this much longer.

A moan slips out of my lips before I can stop it.

Luca carries us into the first bathroom that he sees and puts me down on the counter at the exact same moment that he manages to turn off the underwear. The abrupt sensations are so sudden and unexpected it’s almost too much.

“Such a good girl for me.” Luca praises me as he kisses down the side of my neck toward my clavicle. “Should we see if you’re just as wet for me as I think that you are?”

If he doesn’t move quickly enough I’m going to grab him by the hair and show my husband exactly where I want his attention. “If you want more begging then I-

“Will give me exactly what I want?” Luca teases with that damned insufferable smirk right before his teeth brush over my skin. I readily arch into the contact. I need friction between my legs. Something. Anything.

“If you insist on flapping your mouth, at least put it to good use.” I beg.

“So needy you are, wife.” Luca breathes into my skin. His hands drop to my legs and start to gather up the fabric of my skirt. I’m only too happy to help him in the process.

“Say it again.” I breathe. Oxygen is harder to come by when he’s speaking to me in that tone of voice.

“Which part, my love?” He sinks to one knee in front of me and my heart flips happily in my chest. I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to that either and I love it. I love seeing him on his knees for me.

“Where you called me your wife.”

Luca laughs. Laughs at me. I swat at his shoulder and he catches my hand. “Careful now, wife, or I shall stop being so generous. We don’t want that, do we?”

His thumbs massage circles up my inner thighs. He finally reaches the panties and curls his fingers around them slowly. It’s torture how slowly he pulls them off of me. I think they are the first pair of panties that I’ve worn in the last month because Luca doesn’t like having anything to bar his access to me when the mood strikes. I’ve gotten so used to not having them there that the extra fabric is too much contact with my overheated, overly sensitive skin.

“Lift your hips for me, wife.” Luca commands.

I move to obey without even thinking. My hands curl around the lip of the bathroom counter and I lift my hips up so that he can pull my panties down.

Luca groans. “Exactly as wet as I thought you were.”

Every movement that I make causes me to be more aware of the shiny metal plug in my ass. The only thing that had distracted me from it was the vibration of the panties and that’s gone now. I’m overly aware of it as Luca no doubt catches glimpse of the jewel the moment that the panties are off of me. I hear them hit the floor but I don’t care.

I hook my legs around Luca’s shoulders and urge him closer before he has the chance to change his mind. I don’t want any more sass from him. He chuckles darkly as he kisses every bit of my exposed skin except for where I want him to be the most. I think he’s trying to kill me.

“Luca!” I plead, his word barely more than a moan on my lips as I lean back against the counter and attempt to grind my pelvis against his face.

Luca takes hold of my thighs and holds me down. He keeps me from moving any more than he wants me to and only then, when I’m helpless in his hands, does his mouth make contact.

A slow savor at first. A man presented with a rare delicacy that he doesn’t want to waste a moment of as he licks and kisses me. His tongue delving deeper, savoring the taste of my wetness on his tongue with a groan of appreciation.

I’m going to come apart at the seams. Literally. I try to move but he’s relentless, never giving my swollen clit any more attention than he deems necessary until I can’t think. I can’t breathe. Only when I’m shuddering, my legs trembling around his shoulders does he show me even the slightest bit of mercy.

His tongue flattens. No more teasing, light touches but something harder as his fingers find my center and slip inside. They curl expertly to the place that makes me see stars.

“More?” Luca asks. I’m nowhere near capable of answering him, but he knows that. “I think you can take more. That’s my good girl.” He adds a third finger. The stretch isn’t anywhere near the way that his cock would fill me but it’s getting me ready for what I know is coming. What I get to have all to myself for the rest of my life. My head falls back and hits the mirror softly. I can’t even bring myself to care about the dull ache in the back of my head as my core clenches.

“Luca – I- I’m-” I try to get the words out, but the moment that I’m about to head over that precipice… he stops. I think I might actually cry.

My body plummets down so quickly I cannot keep up. “No!” I sob. I’m only half aware of Luca moving to stand and then he’s moving me. He pulls me off of the counter and spins me to face the mirror. I don’t trust myself to stand on such shaky legs. He props one of my knees up on the counter and pushes between my shoulders to bend me forward and arch my ass out toward me.

My stomach clenches. I know what’s coming next. I’m not ready. I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be. I’m so turned on – my nerves are like live wires and I cannot think of anything other than how badly I need his cock in me.

A rustle of fabric and I feel him. He grabs the plug from my ass and pulls it out slowly. I hear the metal clatter on the countertop somewhere beside me but all I can focus on is him spreading my wetness back over my hole – and then there he is. Lubricated with his precum and my own cream as he eases into me.

It’s wrong. It’s intrusive and painful and I’ve never felt so full in my whole life.

My face presses into the cold glass of the mirror in front of me. My hand slides down the reflective surface as I will myself to exhale. Slowly he eases inside of my ass, taking and claiming and owning that final part of me that I’ve never given to anybody else before. Something that is only Luca’s and always will be.

His moan shudders through my bones as he sinks further until there’s nothing left. His hand wraps under my thigh, finding my clit and arching me back to his hips as he starts to move – and in seconds I combust. My orgasm had been delayed too long as it was and I can’t fight it off any longer. I don’t want to. It’s blended with the whole new sensations on my end and it just goes, and goes. A climb without a peak.

I cease to exist. I am only pleasure and lightning zaps of sensation and ripples of pain as my body acclimates to him. The sounds that come out of me are hardly human but I have given up caring what any of the guests at my wedding might or might not hear.

My eyes roll up so that I can see Luca’s reflection in the mirror behind me. His hands wrapped around my hip and under my leg as he fucks me. His tie thrown over his shoulder. I don’t even know when he took his jacket off and I don’t care. I can see the strain of his muscles against his shirt and damn if I hadn’t just cum once… not that the second is far off with the way my legs are trembling.

I’m sinking. My bones are turning to molten lava and replacing whatever shape that I might have been before with the one that Luca turns me into. His perfect assault on my clit carries me through one orgasm and straight into another. I think I might black out for a moment. Just a moment. Then he’s filling me. With a groan that I would have swallowed could I have had the ability of kissing him right now. He pumps deep into my ass before stilling. Only then does he give my clit mercy and stop. I can’t tell if I want more or if I want a nap.

I feel the cold of the plug going back to my ass and pushing in almost too easily as I close back around it – sealing the gift that Luca gave me just now deep inside.

He helps me with my dress and picks me back up to sit on the countertop. His hands brush the now sweaty loose strands of my updo back and away from my face before pulling me forward to kiss him. I open my mouth to him, accepting his tongue to dance against mine as he pulls me close into his chest.

“I love you, Katya.” Luca breathes into my lips between kisses. He pauses to press his forehead against mine. “From now until my dying day.”

I can’t stop smiling. I kiss him softly and let him pull me into a strong, comforting embrace. “I love you too.”

I can feel his heart beating against my breasts. It feels like home. Whatever the future has in store for us, Luca will always be my home from this moment forward.

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Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book?

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Which was the part you liked most in the book?

Even a character, a scene, or anything that you enjoyed.

How would you feel about the female main character taking part in a MFM (male-female-male) threesome? *

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• I don't know? But I'd be open-minded about it.
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Do you like stories where the Villain gets the girl? *

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Mary 

A year and a half. That’s how long our engagement lasted, and as of today it was finally over. All the planning and worrying, the guest list and invitations, the catering, the music—it had all taken so much out of me, but I already couldn’t remember any of it, and the reception wasn’t even over. No, the only thing I had eyes for was my husband. 

My husband. 

I smiled at him giddily, and he caught me looking and chuckled. “Another dance, baby girl?” 

“Yes please!” 

The slow, romantic music had long ago been put away for the night, so instead we improvised a sort of bastardized swing dance as a pop song jazz remix played. I beamed. 

I felt perfect, and from the look in Sal’s eyes, he thought so too. Not that I ever doubted that anymore. 

We’d come so far. I loved him completely. 

He looked over my shoulder and smiled mischievously, turning me around so I could see what he did. 

Specifically, my best friend… flirting. 

My heart soared. 

She’d never get over Nicola, never stop loving him, but she was healing. Though she looked very flustered when Flavio finally broke his stoic work persona to flirt back. I chuckled. 

“Since when was your best man such a charmer?” I teased him. “If he sweeps Lucy off her feet, I’ll have to file a complaint.” Sal smirked. 

“Yeah, for what?” 

“Dunno, something HR,” I shrugged, too overjoyed to bother putting together an actual response. Sal laughed. 

“Tipsy,” he accused. I stuck out my tongue at him, as if we didn’t both know I only ever did that when I’d been drinking. 

“Not so tipsy I’d miss my brother pretending he’s not head over heels,” I smirked. Sal snorted. 

Sure enough, there was Pietro, stuck close to Taylor—also an illegitimate child, technically also a Pellico, but she had been Cristiano’s wife’s affair baby from before they met. In other words, they were unrelated. And he’d been following her around like a duckling from the day Nicola introduced them, apparently. 

I knew there was something going on there, but I’d let Pietro decide when to say something. 

Mom was also next to Pietro, chatting to Taylor easily. I hadn’t realized the two women had gotten that close. 

“When do you think they’re going to admit it?” Sal asked. 

“What, to us or to themselves?” 

“Both.” 

I laughed. 

“You know,” Sal said, grinning, “I think enough people have left that we can get out of here ourselves.” I perked up. 

“Yes please!” I said. “I mean, as incredible as this moment is, my feet are killing me and also I really want you in me, like, yesterday.” 

Sal barked out a laugh, looking around to make sure no one had heard me. As if he hadn’t made me to take off my underwear in a crowded club the first time we had met. 

“Oh my god, you are tipsy. Well, I’ll tell you what, since I’m such a loving husband, I’m going to give you to the count of 100 to make it to the restroom.” I looked up at him in confusion. Why the restroom? Was he saying he’d follow me or did he just… want me to go to the restroom? “100, 99, 98…” 

Then he gave me a predatory grin, and I realized what he was doing. Giddily excited, I grabbed my skirts and started running. 

Salvatore 

“73, 72…” I counted to myself, swiveling my head to make sure I kept my eyes on my wife. 

Holy shit, my wife. 

I wondered how long it would take me to get used to saying that. 

“69, 68, 67, 66… Finally.” 

If Mary thought I was going to give her a full count of 100 she was very, very wrong. 

I couldn’t wait that long tonight, and if I had to guess, neither could she. 

So, the second I saw the restroom door swing shut I bolted down the hallway toward it, grinning like a madman. 

Mary was already gathering her skirts up at her waist when I burst in, and she squealed with laughter as I pounced on her, barely remembering to lock the door. 

This was a long hallway, and the music was loud. 

The last thing I needed was my newly minted mother-in-law -who did not like me very much as of yet- walking in on me consummating my marriage to her daughter in an event hall bathroom. 

“Oh my god you fucking minx,” I gasped, pinning Mary to the wall and helping her get her skirts out of the way. I barely got a glimpse of what was under them but I knew what I’d seen. “You fucking plugged your cunt on our wedding day?” Mary giggled. 

“I didn’t walk down the aisle like this,” she defended. 

“No, just danced surrounded by our family and friends for two hours. Fuck.” 

“I just wanted to be ready for you, Sir,” she said, entirely too innocently. I growled. 

“Well let’s hope you did a good enough job.” 

I couldn’t see anything with the dress blocking the view, but it wasn’t hard for me to find the flared base of the plug and pull. 

It came out with a wet sucking noise and I groaned. “You’re already so wet,” I panted, frantically pulling my cock out of my zipper. 

“Well, I have been dancing with this in for two hours…” she said, throwing my words back at me. 

I growled and slammed myself into her. She yelped. 

“Be a good girl and stay quiet,” I hugged, setting a brutal pace immediately. She’d prepped herself well, walls soft and giving around my cock as I fucked her. I could feel her cunt fluttering, my little pseudo-exhibitionist. “You can be a good girl, right?” 

“Yes Sir,” she said, eyes darkening as I watched. 

“Mmmm, good bunny,” I groaned, my balls slapping against her cunt viciously. “My sweet little wife. Fuck. You’re already so close, huh? I can feel you pulsing honey, you’ve been teasing yourself all night with that thing, haven’t you?” 

“U-uh-huh,” Mary gasped, openmouthed. 

“You think you get to come?” I asked, reaching between us as well as I could to pinch her clit. She squealed. “You stuff yourself full of some fucking silicone and think I’m gonna let you cum?” 

“Please,” she whined, meeting my thrusts. “Please let me come Sir, I wanna come for you. Wanna squirt on your cock on our wedding night.” 

We’d only just recently found out she could squirt, and we’d only made it happen a few times. 

Hearing those words, arousal stabbed through me—yeah, no, we wouldn’t be sleeping tonight. 

“Hold it,” I ordered harshly. “Good girls don’t come until I say so.” 

Mary’s lower lip wobbled, and I felt her tighten her pelvic muscles in an attempt to stave off her rising orgasm. Good. 

That additional tightness, that nearly bruising squeeze, was exactly what I was looking for. “Aw, don’t cry, baby, you’re gonna ruin your makeup—fuck—” 

“Come in me,” Mary chanted. “Come in me, come in me, come in me—” 

“Yeah? You wanna walk out of your own wedding with my cum sliding down your leg?” I grunted, already racing towards the finish line. Well, my finish line, anyway. “You nasty slut.” 

Mary whimpered. I fucking loved her degradation kink, almost as much as I loved her praise kink. I didn’t love either of them as much as I loved her, though. “Alright then, you get what you want. Gonna fill you up, cum in your slutty pussy, you fil-ilth-y—” 

I choked myself off with a groan, hunching into her as I kept my word. 

Mary wasn’t satisfied, still right on the edge of her own orgasm, but when she started trying to move her own hips I pulled out and slapped her cunt hard in punishment. She cried out. 

“I don’t fucking think so,” I growled. “I told you not to come, and you’re not going to.” Mary looked at me with wide, watery eyes, and I grinned meanly. I was going to ruin her. “You have until the count of a hundred to get to the car, or I’ll fuck you right on the ground in front of our guests.” Mary’s eyes turned almost completely black. 

“100, 99, 98…” 

She took off running, and my smile was all teeth. 

Mary 

One week later 

“Excuse me, Mrs. Mastro?” a familiar voice drawled, and I sat up straight at my desk with an excited gasp. 

“Sal!” I said, rubbing my sore eyes. Staring at a computer screen for hours could really do a number on the vision sometimes. “What are you doing here?” 

“Brought you food,” he smirked, lifting up a white take-out bag. My mouth watered. 

“Oh my god, Gorditino’s?” 

“You know it,” Sal said, placing the food right in front of me on my desk. “It’s almost midnight, bunny. It’s time to come home.” 

Stunned, I looked at the time. It was, in fact, almost the next day. “I’m sorry,” I grimaced apologetically. “I broke a rule.” 

“And I’ll punish you for it, once the issue is out and you can take a day off. Right now, I want us to eat.” I frowned at the small bag. 

“Did you order enough for two?” I asked. Sal smirked and sunk down to his knees, and my heartrate spiked. Oh, he wasn’t planning on eating food. 

“Good thing I wore a skirt,” I breathed, parting my legs eagerly for my husband’s searching mouth. 

Mary Mastro, I thought to myself, you are on top of the world. 

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Sara 

Seven years later 

 “Sara, what are you doing here?” Lia asked in alarm, throwing open the door to her home and ushering me in. She blinked in confusion, her hair a mess, and gazed out into the night. “And in the pouring rain? Did you miss your flight? Or did it get cancelled because of this bizarro weather?” 

“Yes—I…” I stepped in, shivering and shaking, pushing back my hood and aware I was dripping all over Lia’s front hall. “I’m sorry, I just…” 

“Don’t apologize,” Lia said and took my jacket, then told me to leave my bag, and take off my shoes.  

I obeyed in robotic motions, hands shaking, and followed her into the kitchen, where their dog Fenway came galloping up to me, wagging and sniffing. I sank my hands into his soft fur and tried not to weep at the comfort. Nor at how bright my engagement ring was against Fenway’s lovely fur. 

“Are you okay?” Lia said and gestured at me to sit. I did, and let Fenway put his heavy head in my lap. She set a glass of water in front of me and then bustled to the kettle, then back. She was still so golden, so gorgeous, and even two kids or being woken up at two in the morning by her crazy friend couldn’t dampen that. “Did something happen?” 

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted out and burst into tears.  

Lia made a soft, shocked sound and moved closer, her hands, warm and soft, wrapping around mine. I had my other hand pressed against my face as I let out choked sobs, and Fenway made a nervous, whining sound in his throat. 

“I need you to fill in the blanks, Sara,” Lia said. “What am I missing—you and Danny—” 

“Aren’t even married yet,” I burst out and stood up, startling Fenway and Lia. I was irrational and angry, hormones and exhaustion churning through me. “Six years we’ve been engaged, and I get it—so many things happened. The company took off, Danny had to spend half a year in Germany, and I was overseas, and we put it off so that his cousin… Luca…” I swallowed hard. “We wanted Luca to be there, and everyone, and then all that shit happened with Kir, and the guys had to help…” 

I walked to the glass door, arms wrapped around myself, and stared out into the dark yard, my reflection almost swallowed up by the rain and shadow. How had it been so long? How could we have kept putting it off?  

“Sara,” Lia said gently. “Danny wants to marry you—more than anything.” 

My entire body seemed to convulse, fear and nerves snarling through me. Danny hadn’t brought it up in months. Sometimes my ring seemed to mock me, and we were coming up on our anniversary, and he’d said nothing. He seemed so worn, so tired, and worried about Luca, back stateside and raising hell in Boston. Things with Kir were calm and happy, at least. And of course, Ty and Lia were safe and snug with their little family here. 

“I just…” I placed a hand on the glass and my ring glimmered. “I wonder if I was the first bit of normalcy he had and it was good enough to get him out of it, but maybe it’s not enough to move forward. And now.” I pressed a hand over my stomach. “Why am I so terrified?” 

Lia got up and moved closer. “Terrified of what?” A sob burst out of me, and Lia hugged me from behind, rocking me. “Sara, Sara, you’re scaring me. This isn’t you.” 

“I—no, you’ll hate me,” I whispered. 

“I could never,” Lia said fiercely and turned me around with surprising strength. “The woman who faced down the mob to try and get her friend back? You tell me right now.” 

“I’m terrified if I tell Danny that I’m carrying his child—he’ll run,” I said, and a sob burst out of me. “I’m terrified I’ll never see him again. I—I don’t know what to do.” I shivered and shook in her arms. “I don’t know what to do. He hasn’t mentioned marriage in months. He seems so tired, so worn.” 

“Oh, Sara, no,” Lia whispered. She ran a hand over my hair and squeezed me closer. “It’s okay, I promise it’s okay.” 

“I—I just need a few days,” I said. “Can I stay here?” 

Lia leaned back and gazed at me, her eyes crinkling up. “Of course. Stay as long as you need. But you should—” 

“I will,” I fibbed. “I already sent him a message and said I had to stay longer.” 

It didn’t matter, because Danny was overseas, and probably would give my message a passing glance—if that. 

Somehow, we’d been missing each other often these past months. I couldn’t even remember the last time we’d been at our apartment together. 

“Sara,” Lia warned, but then she sighed and nodded. “Come on. Let’s get you out of these clothes and into bed.” We turned and both jumped, as Ty was standing there, his eyes wide and a hand pressed to his heart. “Oh, Ty—Sara is going to stay here a few days, she’s…” Lia was babbling but Ty was zeroed in on me and tears glimmered in his eyes. 

Before she could say another word, he’d crossed the kitchen and pulled us into a bear hug, causing us both to squawk and Ty to squeeze us tighter. 

“Of course,” he said gruffly. “Sara can stay as long as she wants.” 

When he pulled away, his eyes told me that he knew, but the dip of his chin said that he wouldn’t say a word. 

I gave him a look of thanks and Lia led me to bed. 

*** 

A week later, I was sitting with Mario and Rina in the yard, a lovely, warm breeze stirring my hair, and clouds racing overhead. The rains had finally let up the day before and the yard had dried out enough to venture outside. It had been a bad storm, wreaking havoc on airlines, and even I’d wanted to leave, I couldn’t.  

Privately, I appreciated mother nature looking out for another mother. A buzz went through me, a surreal dizziness, part terror, part excitement, and I pressed a hand to my stomach, still unable to believe it. 

I’d been extra fatigued these past few months, but I’d chalked it up to travel and work. But no, I was three months pregnant, which was the last time that Danny and I had been together, a lovely night in our apartment where he’d been extra attentive, as though to make up for all the travel he’d have to do over the next month, which had turned into three months. 

Mario was singing and running in the yard, already getting too big at almost eight, while Marina, or “Rina,” was still a bit puppy-ish at six and a half. Still, something in my throat ached at how fast they’d grown, how much I wished that we were closer, even if we were on the same coast. 

I settled on the blanket, smoothing my hands over the warm fabric, and let out an oof as Rina tackled me with a hug from behind. She laughed as I tipped over my shoulder and tickled her belly, causing her to shriek with laughter, golden hair flying everywhere. Fenway and Mario came loping over seconds later, and then the kids were lying on their stomachs, chattering, and drawing in their sketch books. 

“I want to make something for Uncle Danny,” Mario declared. “Do you think he’d like this?” He showed me a clumsy, lovely kiddish, and yet clear sketch of—me sitting in the yard, face tipped up to the sun, and I caught my breath. How could this kid be so insanely talented already? I mean, besides his mother and father, of course. 

“I think so,” I said. 

“Good, I’ll show Mommy, too, to make sure,” Mario said and took off, sketchbook flapping under his arm. I watched him go, my heart singing at how much he moved like Lia, for all that he looked like Ty. 

What will our child look like? Dark hair and green eyes? Or reversed? Or more like me, but act like Danny—” 

“I want to make something for Uncle Danny, too,” Rina said.  

“I’m sure he’d like that,” I said. 

“I miss him.” 

“I miss him, too, Ri,” I said and smoothed my hand over her hair. She snuggled closer and then dropped her book, getting up and throwing herself around me. I embraced her little limbs and then looked her in the face, noting her pout. “What’s wrong?” 

“You’re sad,” she said. “And Uncle Danny isn’t here. So, I called him.” 

My entire body froze up as I stared at her. Her guileless dark eyes. “You—you what?” 

“I heard Mommy and Daddy talking, and Daddy wanted to call, but they didn’t want to make you mad,” Rina said with terrifying and precise insight, as though channeling her grandmother and father at the same time. “And something about the baby.”  

She shrugged as I stared at her and slowly got to my knees, my head spinning. 

“What—when did you call, Ri?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.  

Then I sucked in a deep breath and put a hand to my head. I was pretty tired and out of it. Maybe I’d misunderstood. Maybe she hadn’t called. Maybe I hadn’t been sold out by a six-year-old. 

“Um, I don’t ‘memba,” Rina said, focused on her sketchbook again. 

“Honey,” I said in a whisper and put a hand on her back. “What did you say?” 

“I said—” She looked up at me and then glanced back, and her entire face lit up. “Uncle Danny.” She rocketed to her feet as I almost fell over, still on my knees, and a hand gripping my shirt over my stomach.  

I watched as a dark-haired six-year-old careened into her golden-haired uncle, his face creased with exhaustion, his clothes wrinkled, and a beard covering his face. His entire look haggard enough to make Rina wrinkle her nose and yet still hug him around the neck, giving him a smacking kiss on the cheek. She babbled at him as I watched and my heart seemed to give out in my chest, a sob fighting to get free. 

You’d make such a good Dad, I’d told him once, in this very yard, when Marina had been a baby and colicky, and Danny had infinite patience for his little niece. We’d briefly moved down here for a month, helping out with Mario while Lia recovered. Danny had ducked his head and flushed, giving me such a soft look of gratitude, as though unable to say a word. 

Now, he murmured something to Marina and set her down, and she went skipping into the house. For a moment, he stood there, hands in his pockets, his face as cool and unreadable as the first time I’d laid eyes on him. I scrambled up, my face turning red, and guilt snarling in my chest. How could I have not told him? God, I was a monster, and not acting like an adult—not being a good partner to this man who’d done everything short of selling his soul to try and make things right. From Kir to therapy to the business—Danny had tried to keep me happy. 

And in trying to be the man that I’d seen in him, he’d become so much more. 

Someone who came even when I tried to push him away, when I got scared and ran.  

Now, I took a step forward, a hand lifting, and Danny’s eyes seemed to burn, then he was charging across the yard and pulling me against him, gentle but unbreakable. Tears rolled free and I pressed my face against his shoulder, shaking and trying to apologize. 

“I guess there’s a first for everything,” he murmured into my ear, and I leaned back. He caught my chin with one hand and gave me a stern look that made my knees go week, while his other hand pressed into my back, not letting me go. 

“What?” I whispered. 

“You’ve never been more wrong, wife,” Danny said, and he gazed at me, and I realized that he wasn’t exhausted from work—he was exhausted from rushing across the world to get to Malibu thanks to his six-year-old niece’s meddling—he’d killed himself to get here, to me. 

Tears blurred my sight and Danny kissed me, savage and possessive, but also sweet and loving. I didn’t know how he did it. But I knew that he knew—and that he was right, I’d never been more wrong. 

“But—but,” I blubbered as we broke apart and Danny wrapped his arms around me again, rocking me. “But you…” 

“I wanted to get all this shit with work settled, and then surprise you… Or ask you.” I leaned back to look at him, which was a bit difficult because Danny didn’t seem inclined to let me go. “Aw fuck it—wanna move to Malibu?” 

I clutched at him. “What?” 

“Sara, we can’t keep busting our asses for this company. I think we need a break, to rethink things. Things are good. We can step back, let our competent staff handle stuff.” He cradled my face. “I didn’t know how to ask you to slow down, though. I didn’t want you to think I thought you couldn’t hack it. So, I thought maybe a house here might help sell it.” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t think you’d…”  

“Didn’t—huh?” 

“Oh, Sara,” Danny breathed. “Baby, I’d marry you today if I could. I had this whole idea of getting the house built, then proposing we have the wedding there…” He stepped back and looked me over. “I don’t care about any of that. All I want to do is be here—for you, for… the future.” 

I closed my eyes and laughter bubbled up, amidst the tears. “Did Marina tell you?” 

“No, I didn’t know what she meant, but I owe her forever. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she knew that.” He laughed and my entire heart lit up at the sound. “I thought she meant Lia until I saw you,” Danny said hoarsely and suddenly I heard a noise and looked down in time to see Danny had gone to his knees before he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his face into my stomach. “I just saw you and knew.” 

“Of course,” I said and tugged on his hair. 

“It knocked the wind out of me—I couldn’t even breathe for a second. I don’t think I heard a word of what Rina said.” He paused and trepidation went through me. “And I also don’t think I’ve been this happy since you said yes,” Danny said. “Or this scared.” He looked at me. “I’m sorry you thought you couldn’t tell me.” 

I gave a hiccupping laugh and leaned down, kissing him, “I’m kind of a hormonal mess. Please don’t take it personally.” I tugged on his hair again. “You’re here.” 

“I’m here,” he said, and his eyes glinted as he stood up. “And I’m not going anywhere, Sara Tailor. You agreed to make an honest man out of me and there’s no way in hell you’re reneging on that.” 

Even though I knew he was kidding, even though I knew that he wanted this, that he loved me, I clutched at him and whispered, “You still want to get married?” 

He swept me against him and tipped me back, “Why, Sara Tailor,” he murmured and kissed me. “I thought you’d never ask.” 

Then he straightened me and gave me a serious look. “I can’t think of a better time to marry you than while you’re carrying our child—our future. We’re calling out for the rest of the damn month to make this happen, as quickly as possible.” 

I went up on tiptoes and kissed him. “I think, between me and you, we can make that happen.” I smiled at him, my love, my future husband, the father of our precious child. “Anything is possible with us, through thick and thin, mess—and more mess.” 

“And we’re great with a mess,” Danny agreed with a laugh, and he kissed me again. 

The warm Malibu breeze ruffled around us, carrying the children’s laughter, and our silent promise to each other to always find a way back to each other—no matter what life threw our way.  

After all, we’d done it so many times before, finding that happy ending.  

Together. 

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Massimo

The car pulls up in front of the manor and there they are. Alejandra, in denim shorts, and a mustard yellow knitted top, holding our daughter, Aurora who is dressed to match, and our son, Alessio. We both got what we wished for. The little man is already a rogue, and I’m sure he took after his mother, not me.

I take long strides toward them and Aurora is already bouncing in her mother’s arms, screaming Dada, whereas Alessio is more interested in picking apart his toy on the floor.

“Dada,” she giggles, stretching as I take her from her mother and plant a kiss on her lips, cheeks, and forehead, a little into her jet-black hair. Then I kiss her mother on the lips.

I won’t hear the last of it. I kissed Aurora before her. I squat to Alessio’s level and he notices me, then flashes me a smile, stretching his toy to me to fix.

Is that all I’m good for, little man? I ruffle his brown hair and lift him to plant a kiss on his cheek. Forget about his sapphire eyes, he takes after his mother, for my sake, I hope.

“Set?” I kiss Alejandra on her temple.

“Why are you asking me, ask your new wife Aurora,” she pouts and starts walking to the hangar.

I knew it. This war didn’t start now. Aurora is mostly everywhere around me. Under my desk in the office, sneaking to sleep between her mother and me, and I have started to eat better because of her. She is a terrible eater so I had to eat with her to make her eat. How can I not? Have you seen my daughter with eyes like her mother’s and hair like my mother’s? A combination of the two people I love the most.

I trail after Alejandra to the private jet waiting for us. We get in and settle into the seats, with Alejandra pressing her lips together to hold back her smile. She is full of it. We are going to Spain to see her family and spend some time with them. It’s about time I take her mother up on the meal promise.

The last time she visited, I only at a small portion of every meal she made. This time, I’ll do better, not so much, but way better than I have ever done when it comes to eating.

For most of our flight, Alejandra talks about a romantic comedy movie she saw last night. Alessio and Aurora are keeping busy eating, sleeping, crying, fighting with each other, and making sure I and their mother don’t go anywhere without them.

We arrive at the airport to her family holding out placards and flashing welcoming bright smiles. Her father’s minivan drives us to their homely country house surrounded by tomatoes farms, and a few houses of the same kind of brick and washed peach color paint scattered about in the distance.

The neighborhood is both quiet and loud. Not much noise is heard but kids and families are outside, waving at us and her father makes sure to stop occasionally and introduce us to some of the people around.

When we get in, Alejandra goes to curl beside her father and her little brother, Luis keeps tailing her mother as she gets busy trying to set the table for us. Although Alejandra did not know at the time, her mother had been in the first weeks of an unexpected pregnancy at the time of her abduction. Luis was born months after Alejandra’s disapperance and was probably the main reasons her parents were able to hold it together despite to the pain and horror of their daughter’s vanishing and the driving force to go on.

Inside is a reflection of their warmness. The smell of spices that I recognize from when her mother visited, and the local raspberry scent. It’s like everyone is uses the same body spray, and it’s lovely. It’s calming and welcoming.

Family pictures line the walls, including some of Alejandra as a teenager. My favorite is the one where she is standing beside a cardboard mansion built by her. Some pictures of her little brother, Abuela, and grandfather she wasn’t born to see line the walls too. Then a recent family photo of them at our wedding is sitting on a box television.

“Welcome,” her mother is at it again for the millionth time since we arrived at the airport, only this time she is pointing at the table.

Loud Spanish calls are thrown around about the twins and who they look like more bouncing from Abuela, to her father, to her aunt, to some extended family members. I am trying to keep up as we feast. It sure takes a village, because this is a village we are eating with now.

Bliss. One word to describe this new world I’ve been gifted.

“That is so not true!” Alejandra shrieks, laughing, as we walk around the Alhambra Palace in Granada.

After dinner, where I ate much too much, her family offered to look after the twins so we could explore the city. Her mother added that they wouldn’t be waiting up for us and she’d make breakfast ready for us by morning.

The palace lives up to the descriptions Alejandra won’t stop bugging me with each time she has an assignment to sketch something. She is always on the lookout for designs that hold universal beauty and are exceptional expressions of creative depth and rich culture. She thinks buildings should tell stories and this one tells a story, alright.

I just narrated the story I think this one is telling us, about the time the lord asked his lady to hold on to the pillar while he fucked her from behind.

“Why else would anyone have this many pillars?” I raise an eyebrow, a new expression that I use often to communicate with the kids to show my disapproval of something.

“Pillars are to hold the structure,” she giggles, scurrying forward and spreading her arms wide open as if to fly.

“They will do just fine holding the structure in the meantime,” I look at them. I mean I know they are to hold the structure but fuck me if they don’t make me want to test that theory.

“You are one hell of a man, Massimo Gaeta,” she scampers back to me, and wraps her arms around my waist.

“You know that already,” I dip my head.

“I do,” she says meeting my lips with hers.

“We should try it though,” I kiss her softly.

“We should keep my muse untainted,” she kisses me softly.

“And I was thinking I’m your muse,” I deepen the kiss.

“Are you jealous of a building now Massimo Gaeta?” She gives me her tongue and I suck on it, relishing the chocolate taste on her tongue from the cake we had for dessert.

“How can I not be,” I say, thanking hell it’s not a person because I’d have a hard time competing with this one for her heart. “Don’t fuck with me,” I let her lead the way.

“Oh, I will,” she laughs.

“You’ll fuck me?”

“Admit I’m your muse.”

“You are being petty.”

I scowl at the majestic building with its unmatched regality.

She stops and looks me in the eye.

“You are a wish, you are a masterpiece, and I can only pray I’ll be able to create something as surreal as you, but every day that I look at you, I see how futile that prayer is,” she closes the distance and I inhale sharply.

Hear that Alhambra?

“I love you,” I cup her face with both palms and I press my lips against hers in a sealing kiss.

Breathtaking sunset-lit scenery, with a breathtaking olive-skinned woman?

Breath taken.

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Alexei, One year later

Nora left me on the night before our wedding.

“It’s tradition! The bride and groom are not supposed to spend the last night before the wedding together.”

“Or what?” I asked bitterly.

“Or the marriage won’t last. You want the marriage to last, right?”

I had no choice but to sigh in resignation and watch as she packed an overnight bag and headed over to her grandmother’s cottage. The wedding dress was already there. All the fittings and whatnot had been done at the cottage as it was also bad luck to see the bride’s dress.

I had no idea that Nora was so superstitious.

I had been left all alone in my big empty house with no one but Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow for company. The German shepherds were meant to be guarding the compound, but they seemed to sense my loneliness, so they hung around me, trying to take advantage of my weakness to get snacks. Snoop in particular was so crafty, rubbing his head against my arm and then putting it in my lap like he was so fucking sad for me.

As soon as I gave them treats however, they ran off. Nora would laugh at me if she knew.

I sat on the lounge chairs by the pool, watching the dogs frolic instead of keeping guard on the compound, when a blonde ponytail entered my vision. Katya.

“Aw, you look so sad. Missing your booboo?” she said, holding a hand behind her back.

I wrinkled my nose. “Whoever taught you to speak like that should be shot.”

“It was Nora actually. So now what are you gonna do?” She stuck her tongue out at me, grinning triumphantly.

I rolled my eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to throw you a bachelor party.”

I snorted. “Why?”

“Because you’re my brother and nobody else will.” She brought out the hand she’d been hiding behind her held up a bottle with clear liquid. “I even brought cheap vodka so we can drink and make toasts to Mother Russia.”

I laughed, patting the space beside me. “Sit then and let us get moderately wasted. But not too much because I don’t want to be hungover on my wedding day.”

Katya sat down beside me. “Yeah, God forbid that happens.” She uncapped the bottle and took a swig, before passing it to me.

I drank it down and then grimaced. “You weren’t kidding about it being cheap vodka.”

“That’s the best kind!” she protested.

I huffed, shaking my head. We drank companionably. I could see that the cottage lights were still on from my perch. “What do you suppose they’re doing?”

Katya laughed. “Hell if I know. Trying on the dress? Sewing baby jumpers?”

I grimaced. “Ugh, no. Too soon.”

“Just wait, you’ll have rugrats running around in no time.”

I shuddered. “God forbid.”

“Don’t you want kids?”

“Not right now, thanks.”

“Come on… you’re in love with a woman who loves you back. Why not?”

I peered inquisitively at her. “You that eager to be an aunt? Why do you have such a bee in your bonnet about this?”

“I don’t know. It’s just a nice notion. A family, complete.”

I squinted at her. “Is that what you want? To have a family?”

She blushed. “We’re not talking about me.”

“Aren’t we?”

She looked away.

“Come on Kat, tell me who it is.”

“It is no one. Mind your business.”

“Hmm, fine. Keep your secrets. When Nora does get pregnant I won’t tell you until she’s showing.”

She grinned. “I’m gutted.”

We lay back together on the lounge, swapping the bottle of vodka. Katya looked around. “I’m surprised Vlad isn’t here, making sure we don’t get too drunk and careless.”

I smiled. “He decided to make it an early night since tomorrow’s such a big day. He decided to let the security boys earn their pay.”

“That’s nice of him.”

“Magnanimous.”

“More magnanimous than he’s been with you at least.” She grinned. “He really said, no courthouse wedding, and you guys just went along?”

“He was about to have a stroke. Flailing his arms talking about how exposed it was. There was no way it was going to work.” I laughed, shaking my head.

Vlad had pointed out to me at least five vantage points where a sniper might get us from the buildings surrounding the courthouse. His commitment to security was laudable.

“Nora will be working in the morning, you know, she didn’t want to take time off work.”

“What? How will that work?” Katya gaped at me.

“She should be done by noon.”

Katya sighed. “Anyway, what’s a wedding without a bit of drama?”

The justice of the peace arrived on time. Nora didn’t.

She texted me to say she’d been delayed but not to worry. Jodie had done her hair and make-up in the morgue.

Very reassuring.

As I stood in front of the mirror, straightening my tie, I could hear the soundcheck going on. Nora wanted to walk down the aisle to Bruno Mars. Personally, I thought a song called ‘Marry You’ was a little too on the nose, but she’s sentimental like that.

There was a knock on the door and Katya came in, dressed in a beautiful powder blue tuxedo, a church hat on her head. Her hair hung down her back like a platinum curtain. She was a picture of grace and beauty.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Yeah. You got the rings?”

She patted her pockets and looked frantic. I narrowed my eyes at her, and she grinned at me. “Of course I have the rings.”

“Let’s go then.”

We went downstairs to the backyard where a tent had been erected, lined with decorated chairs. The theme was blue and gold, and everything looked great. My blue velvet suit brought out my coloring, and I knew it. I straightened my lapels. Katya and I both stood near the back door.

“Nora is changing now. She won’t be more than ten minutes,” Katya murmured.

“Mmh.” I was skeptical of this estimate, but I kept my thoughts to myself.

Twenty minutes later, she appeared. She was wearing a golden gown that kind of twisted around her body as if someone had wrapped her in it. It was strapless and hugged her figure at every point. Her hair was pulled up into an untidy knot and the only jewelry she wore was a choker of pearls and pearl earbobs.

She looked stunning.

“Damn,” I whispered.

Katya grinned. “Yeah, she cleans up real nice.”

Nora looked up at me and smiled. She was with her grandmother and Jodie, her arm through Carmen’s. They came to a stop beside me. “Hey,” she said shyly.

I looked her up and down. “Well… that was certainly worth the wait.”

She blushed prettily, clearing her throat. “We should get started.”

“Yes, we should.”

Just as I reached for her hand to lead her down the aisle, a black Daimler drove up the driveway. I paused, Katya and I exchanging glances. Vlad was already heading towards the car, hand on his holster.

“Who could it be?” I asked aloud.

Katya cleared her throat. “Well, actually, it’s someone who shouldn’t miss your wedding.”

I frowned, wondering if I was about to meet the mystery person she’d been so reticent about last night. The back door opened, and a six-inch heel-clad foot stepped out. I quirked an eyebrow when someone rose out of the seat to their full six-foot-two height—in heels. Her platinum blonde hair shone in the sunlight. She looked not a day older than the last time I’d seen her.

“Oh lord… Mother,” I murmured in horror.

“She didn’t want to miss your wedding.”

“It’s not safe for her to be here,” I protested.

“Well, technically, she’s not. Don’t worry, she won’t set off any red flags. I made sure of it.”

I looked bleakly at Katya. “How can she even want to see me?”

“You’re her firstborn. You know you were always the favorite.”

“That was a long time ago, Kat…”

“Ain’t no such thing as before. Now are you going to greet her or what?”

Nora squeezed my arm. “You should go.”

I took a deep shaky breath and walked toward her. She met me halfway, or rather, we collided. Her hug was so tight I couldn’t help but revel in it. She stepped back, looking at me with tears in her eyes. “Moy mal’chik.”

I blinked back tears. “Mama.”

“I’ve missed you.”

I shook my head. “I’ve missed you too.”

I remembered where we were and grabbed her arm. “Mama, come and meet my fiancée.” I pulled her over to Nora, “This is my love, Nora Young.”

“Nora.” My mother smiled. “I am so glad to meet you.”

She smiled tentatively. “You as well.”

I sent my mother off with Katya and turned back to Nora.

It occurred to me that I had never in my life been happier. “Let’s go and get you married,” I leaned in close and purred.

“Yes,” Nora smiled “Let’s.”

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• In my opinion, the romance was more prominent than the action in the book.

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Extended Epilogue

Lori, One year later

I’m rocking our son to sleep when Marco steps inside the nursery, walking quietly until he stops behind me and peers over my shoulder to look at our baby as he sleeps in my arms. Luca De Vico is only three months old, but he still looks exactly like his father. I often wonder if he ever will take after me, if there will be evidence that I even grew this child to begin with. His temperament however, is completely different. He’s a sweet boy, soft and simple much like me, only crying when he needs something. He’s happy to lay in anyone’s arms, preferably mine or Marco’s. He loves sunshine and to be outside with me when I take pictures or walk around the garden. He’s a precious light that I never knew I needed until I birthed him, until he lit up my entire world with just one look.

Marco kisses my shoulder, his hands on my arms as I lean over Luca’s crib and lay him gently inside of it, his lullabies playing softly through this little lamb Claudio bought for him while I was still pregnant. The kid is insanely spoiled already, everyone from both families stopping by constantly to hold him or shower him with gifts. He’ll never wish for anything and honestly, I’m more than grateful for that.

“Let’s go to bed, baby.” Marco whispers against my ear, my pussy fluttering in response as the idea of making love to my husband tantalizes me beyond belief.

I turn immediately and grab his hand. I pull him out of the nursery and down the hall towards our bedroom, my desire building for him with each step.

“Somebody is eager.” He chuckles as I push him down on the bed and crawl onto his lap, my need for him growing with each kiss I give his lips.

Between our work schedules and Luca’s constant, nightly feedings, I haven’t really had any alone time with Marco. By the time he gets home, I’m already passed out in bed or in the nursery. If I have pumped enough that day, he feeds the baby for me so that I can sleep. However as soon as I hear Luca’s cry, my breasts automatically start to leak and my brain is wide awake and ready to go to him. So yeah, if my husband wants to fuck me while our child is finally asleep, I will rush to make that happen.

I’m just about to take off his shirt when that soft wail sounds through the baby monitor, my groan filling the air as my forehead lands on his chest in frustration. He laughs softly, pulling my head up before he kisses my lips.

“I got him,” he says, but I shake my head.

“No, we’ll go together,” I say, crawling off of his lap and standing with him as he grabs and walks me to the nursery.

I lift Luca from the crib and cradle him, freeing my breast from the nightgown and tilting him before his small lips latch onto my nipple. While he feeds, I feel Marco looking at me. His gaze feels intense, strong emotion filling the air as I tilt my head at him in question.

“I can’t help but wonder how I got so lucky,” he says in amazement. My heart fills with both joy and pride as I stare back at him, Luca feeding happily at my breast.

“We’re both lucky,” I say as he walks to me, his large hand softly caressing our sons head as he drinks from my breast.

“So lucky,” I say as my husband leans towards me, capturing my lips in the sweetest kiss as we settle in our little bubble of happiness forever.

~

Carmelo

There’s a pounding at the front door and it only grows louder and more impatient as I walk to it.

“I’m fucking coming! Jesus Christ.” I hiss, walking to the door as I rub my eyes.

I’ve gotten a total of four hours of sleep in the last two days and the one time I have the house to myself to get some peaceful rest, this bullshit happens. I yank the door open, the sun blasting my eyes before they widen. There, standing on my front porch, is a tall and slender woman with straight black hair that lands at her hips. She has wild, golden eyes and her mouth is painted a bright red. She’s wearing a tight, fuck me black dress and spiky stiletto heels that I would love to feel digging into my back as I fuck-

But I can’t really finish the thought of bedding this woman because as soon as my eyes finish scanning her, I see a pistol aimed directly at my head.

“What the fuck-” I try to say, but she tilts her head at me, eyeing me like a wild cat as her gun clicks.

“Are you Graziano Saracino?” She hisses, her voice like liquid silk as she sneers at me.

I narrow my eyes, my hand moving to the gun tucked into my waistband. Her eyes follow the movement and she thrusts the gun at me, forcing me to raise my hands in defense.

“Easy,” I say, my eyes moving from the gun to hers in rapid movement.

“Answer me. Are you the bastard that killed my father?” She hisses and for a moment, I am so beyond confused that I wonder if it’s due to my lack of sleep or the fact that an insanely hot woman is pointing a gun at my head.

“Who are you?” I ask, my eyes dropping to her chest, her ample breasts nearly spilling from her dress.

Jesus, this woman might be insane, but she is otherworldly. I’ve never seen anything like her and I’ve spent a fair share of my time with beautiful women. She narrows her cat eyes with me, the liner surrounding them almost making her seem like an Egyptian goddess, her golden skin like the treasure that hides inside of the ancient pyramids.

“My name is Caterina Merlini. My father and my brother were killed by the hands of either you or one of your family members. I’m here for them.” I have to physically stop my eyes from rolling into the back of my head.

Will this shit ever truly end?

I look at her gun and back to her eyes, knowing that I need to move fast if I don’t want a bullet hole right in the middle of my forehead. Thank God years of tactical training has prepared me for moments like this, regardless if I’ve slept or not.

My hand snaps out immediately, grabbing the gun in one quick swoop before I grab her arm and spin her around, her back pinned to my chest as I wrap my arm around her, holding her against me as she hisses and curses against me.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” I say into her ear as she thrashes against me.

“But you can’t just show up on my doorstep with a loaded gun and expect to leave here with vengeance. That doesn’t happen with men like me.” I growl, knocking the gun against her head, her eyes rolling back as she collapses against me, now completely passed out and sagging back onto my body.

Well, this ought to be fun. I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to the boys when they get home.

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Anna

Six Months Later

The bouquet is tossed over my head, and I turn to see Rose waving it in the air with excitement oozing from her every pore. I can only laugh and turn to Liam, my husband, who takes my hand with care and walks me down from the captain’s deck.

Of all the places, I don’t think I ever imagined my wedding being on a yacht, but Liam seems to not only have a knack for planning assassinations and hostile mafia takeovers, but parties too. A live band plays sweet, smooth jazz that echoes out over the harbor. It’s at sunset, there’s mimosas, sparkling wine, and mojitos all around.

Of course, I can’t partake in the drinking. But the sparkling juice is just as refreshing.

Liam keeps his arm locked around me, and his hand on the side of my stomach. I think many women would have attempted to find a dress to cover their baby bump, but I found one that accents it. Why the hell not? We’re happy for it, and the little one decided to beat all the odds against the statistics of my birth control. So, they deserve a little spotlight too for their tenacity.

My husband leans to whisper something to me as we move from table to table to mingle, but I interrupt him in a whisper of my own, “If you are about to tell me I’m glowing, I will strangle you with that tie.”

He chuckles and kisses my ear before replying huskily, “If by glowing you mean your ass has never looked better, then sure.”

I grin and pat the side of his face, “Good boy.”

“I like seeing this feisty side of you,” he purrs, taking me over to our table. “I feel like it’s been a while.”

“Well, get used to it,” I snicker. “I’m eighty percent hormones and ten percent wrath.”

He pulls out my chair for me and takes a sip of his beer before eyeing me curiously. “And the other ten percent?”

I glare hard at him, to pretend I’m annoyed, but I know it’s a moot point. He’s far too handsome to have an attitude with him. He looks so crisp and dreamy in that cream tuxedo. Of course, he would have preferred the black, but what I say went. Liam listens to me, respects me, and challenges me. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. Leaning over, I give him a long, passionate kiss before pulling back and answering him, “Undying love for you, unfortunately for me.”

“And how is that unfortunate?” he fires back.

“Because it means that I’ll follow you and your madness to the ends of the earth.”

“There are worse things, aren’t there?” he questions, his hazel eyes twinkling.

I caress his cheek, and bring my face to his again, “Far worse things,” I assure him. “Like the mother of your child.”

We share a laugh again and I sigh happily before adding on. “And there’s nothing more I would rather be.”

“You swear?”

“On my mother’s grave,” I smile.

Maybe it’s a dark comparison to make, but it feels real to look back at our rawest moments in the light of the best one. It shows our commitment to one another, the journey we’ve embarked on together, and gives me hope for the road ahead. We’ve come this far when everything imaginable was stacked against us—even ourselves. And yet here we are, married, expecting our first child.

“There’s never been a greater love for me than you,” he purrs to me.

I place his hand on my stomach as I close the distance again for another magical kiss. “There will be soon,” I reply with a smile of my own.

I can see the tears he’s holding back and the emotion that tightens his face briefly. “I’ll protect you both until my last breath.”

“I’ll protect you on into the next life,” I smile.

His eyes narrow slightly at me, “You trying to one-up me?”

“Are you trying to say your love for me ends with our mortality?”

He sighs and wraps an arm around me, and we look off to the sunset together as our party goes on without us. “I’m still not sure if there’s a God,” he admits to me. “But I know there’s something out there working in my favor, if I have somehow managed to deserve you.”

Emotion hits me, and it hits me hard. I want to blame it on the pregnancy, but it’s just a mixture of things. Leaning my head on his shoulder, I try my hardest to commit this feeling—this moment—to memory. As I don’t think life will ever get better than this.

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Nikolai is the male main character of Hunter's Prey. Was it bothering to see him as the villain in Helena and Daniel's story? *

• Yes, it was upsetting.
• No, it was okay.

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• Yes, I would love to!
• No, I don't care.

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• I don't know? But I'm open minded about it.
• No, I would rather Anya and Nikolai remained together.

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• Yes, I would like to see Nikolai with a new love interest.
• I don't know? But I'm open minded about it.
• No, I would rather Anya and Nikolai remained together.

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Helena

The newest addition to the house was my birthday present from Henry. It’s a beautifully remodeled room with state-of-the-art soundproofing panels on the walls. It has windows overlooking the gardens, as well as a stunning baby grand piano at one end. On the other side of the room is a place to practice my cello.

I learned after moving in that Henry has been in piano lessons for most of his life. So having this room allows us to share our love of music and play together.

The room is decorated with flower accents and tall potted trees. It feels opulent but fresh. We have been spending more and more time in this room together lately, getting to know one another. Learning my real name was something of a shock to Henry. He said that he didn’t care what name he has to call me by so long as I’m still the same person on the inside.

I’m definitely working on it. My path to healing and self-discovery hasn’t been easy, but with Carolina as a constant companion these days, I’m making progress. She’s become a shoulder to cry on when I need it, as well as a mother figure. She’s full of unexpectedly useful advice, and I know I can trust her because Daniel does.

Daniel’s father died several months ago. He died peacefully in his sleep late at night, and Daniel has been busy with the family ever since. He’s been assuming the role that was designed for him, his legacy. I doubt he’d mind the pressure if he didn’t want to be here with us so badly.

Despite everything, Henry doesn’t seem to be any worse off for all of the changes that he’s had to endure.

He’s sitting at the piano but facing backward, and his hands are reached around to the keys behind him. He said he knows the piece well enough to play it this way, but I think he’s just desperate for a party trick. His jacket lays in a pile on the ground by his feet. Daniel would fuss about disrespecting his clothing in such a way, but we both know he’s only dressing so well to impress him anyway.

“It’s not going to work!” I laugh as Henry hits the wrong note for the fifth time in a row. He’s laughing too hard to be taking it seriously in the first place. Try as he might, it’s just not going to happen for him. “Couldn’t you try to play it upside down or just play the piece from end to beginning instead?”

“Nope!” Henry says and bangs futilely against the keyboard once again. “Eventually I’m going to get it! Just you see!”

I don’t know that my ears can take any more.

Not that I would ever say that to Henry. Normally, he plays so beautifully that we can meld our two pieces together in a harmony… but today he’s chosen to be silly. I busy myself with putting my cello back into its case now that I’ve finished polishing it. My fingers twinge a little from the hours of practice, but I’m well on my way to building my callouses back up.

“I suppose I should just play my cello like a violin, then,” I tease and place my hands firmly on my hips.

Henry doubles forward with laughter, and his arms wrap around himself.

“Your arms aren’t long enough! It would never work!” Henry giggles and shakes his head. He mimics the motion of extending his arms out well past his body in order to accomplish such an impossible task. “And the endpin would poke you right in the shoulder!”

“It works about as well as what you’re doing!” I laugh right back.

We’re so caught up in the lunacy of our conversation that neither one of us hears the door to the music room open. It’s such a small shift in the space. But I can feel him. I can always feel Daniel when he gets close enough. Something about his presence… or perhaps it’s just the fact that to this day I cannot seem to keep my hands to myself where it concerns my husband.

For a moment, I’m hurled back into a memory of the day we first saw one another at Henry’s school—of Daniel leaning against the open doorway, seemingly without a care in the world as he watched me. He’s standing the same way now, at least until Henry spots him.

“Daniel!” Henry shouts and runs across the room to throw himself into his arms. Daniel hugs him tightly, then ruffles his hair. Someday soon Henry is going to consider himself to be far too cool for such a gesture, so Daniel and I are trying to enjoy as much of his innocence as possible.

It’s another major reason Daniel has to be gone so much. He must divide his time between New York and here. We decided it was best if I stayed as far away from everything as possible until things settled down. In addition, he attempted to invite Henry back to New York, but he declined. He clarified that he was unwilling to abandon all of his friends. Personally, I believe a part of him just wants to be with me too.

Henry only calls me ‘mom’ when he’s not thinking about it too much. It’s not an issue I want to push. He can call me whatever he likes… but I can’t deny that I live for his slip-ups.

The life that he and I have settled into here in Daniel’s absence isn’t something that I ever thought I would have wanted. But now that I’m here and living it, it’s not something I would ever trade. It’s the sort of life that I thought I was going to get when I moved here with Abram. It’s quiet and simple. I’ll resume teaching in the fall at the school with Henry but for now… this is enough.

“You’re home early,” I say without moving any closer to him. Henry keeps an arm around Daniel, and their attention shifts over to me.

“I think I prefer Henry’s greeting,” Daniel winks. “You could try throwing yourself at me from time to time,” he teases.

“Maybe later,” I tease right back. “Are you just back for the night? I’m reining myself in until I know. If you’re just passing through…” I roll one shoulder like I’m not impressed by the prospect of only spending a night with him.

“Even if I was, you know I’d make it worth your while,” Daniel smiles easily. That’s something else that’s new now that he’s splitting his time. New York has been stressful and understandably so. Like me, he’s come to think of this hidden estate as a safe haven he gets to escape to—a little treasure chest where he gets to hide away the things most important to him.

He strolls into the room with his natural swagger and comes to stop in front of me. He places a hand on either side of my waist and widens his stance to where we’re almost looking eye to eye with one another.

“Hm, I don’t think that my wife is nearly happy enough to see me.” The glint I love so dearly has returned to his eyes. Automatically, I glance around him to Henry who isn’t paying us any attention whatsoever. He’s far too busy focusing on the bag that Daniel had dropped to the ground beside the door. No doubt the boy is looking for whatever present he has brought him.

“Tell me that you’re here to stay at least the weekend, and I will show you exactly how thrilled I am that you’ve come home.” I place my hands on top of his and hold them there. If he doesn’t realize by now that I will take just about any opportunity to be alone with him, he’s sorely mistaken. My mind shifts fondly to some other recent memories of this room… when we were testing just how soundproof it actually was.

Daniel groans reluctantly, and his head falls back for a moment. “That’s the most tempting thing I’ve heard all day…” He rights himself, pulling himself together as he pulls me closer into his arms until my chest is pressed softly against his. “But unfortunately, I have returned home with a bit of news that you may or may not like.”

“Oh? What a coincidence,” I muse softly, a carefully optimistic smile on my face.

“You have news too?”

I nod and press my lips together.

“Very well, you go first,” he concedes and lets me go while he glances over his shoulder. “Henry, the gift is in the back zipper. Help yourself.” He grins. “Not a lick of patience in that one.”

I’m actually glad that they are both here. There’s something that I’ve been certain of for a while now—but didn’t know how to tell Daniel. He wasn’t supposed to have been home for another couple of weeks, so I had assumed I would have some time to figure this all out. But perhaps it’s best to just rip off the Band-Aid.

“He’s a good kid,” Daniel muses and reaches for me once more.

“I’ve heard that sort of luck doesn’t come twice,” I start gently.

Daniel shakes his head. “I don’t know, I think it’s more than that. It’s how you grow up. No doubt a switch will flip one of these days, and he will turn into the stereotypical sullen teenager.” Daniel grins. “I’m almost looking forward to it.”

“I guess there’s going to be only one way to find out.” I smile as Daniel pulls me closer. I flatten my hands over his strong chest, and right before he’s about to kiss me I speak again. “I guess we’ll have to have one of our own to find out.”

Daniel pauses and backs up slightly. He’s reading my expression. His eyes can’t seem to settle on one eye or the other to determine whether or not I’m teasing him. “Is that something you want?”

I can’t fight my grin as it tears across my face. “I don’t think it matters now.”

Daniel takes a moment to understand and then looks down. He puts distance between us to peer at my flat stomach as if he can somehow see the baby forming inside of me.

“You’re…?” he whispers incredulously. His hands slide from my waist to my stomach and then back again.

I nod happily. “I am… I don’t know exactly how far along or anything but—”

“I can’t believe it!” Daniel says, and he smiles incredulously. I’m beyond happy that he’s taking this news so well. It’s going to make a lot of things more complicated for him in the future, having to raise such a small child and be so many places at once, but if any man can handle it, it’s him. I can already see the wheels turning in his brilliant mind making plans for all of the things he’s going to want and need for me.

Then something else seems to dawn on him that wipes the smile clear off of his face.

“What…? What’s wrong?” I ask nervously.

Daniel doesn’t answer for a long, heavy moment as my pulse starts to quicken. He can’t have changed his mind so quickly. What if he thinks that it’s too dangerous to keep it? I can’t do that. My mouth is going dry. I press my tongue against my teeth while the seconds drag on between us.

Daniel’s hand reverently sweeps over the fabric of my dress, smoothing it over my hips and finally flattening his hand over my stomach once more. “It’s happy news. It’s great news, I just… I guess it’s the timing of it all.”

I close both of my hands over his, holding them there. “What do you mean?”

“Henry, will you give us a moment?”

“Hm?” Henry looks up from the bag he’s elbow-deep searching in. He produces a small package wrapped in brown paper and twine string. Clearly, he’s oblivious to everything that we’ve been talking about until now. “Oh, sure,” he says distractedly as he starts to walk out of the room, leaving the door open in his wake. He truly is an easy child.

Alone with Daniel, the air feels heavier. Whatever he’s about to tell me is not going to be something I want to hear. He locks eyes with me and speaks slowly, like if he says the wrong thing I’m going to run or pass out.

“The reason I came home so suddenly was because I found a lead on where Volkovich is hiding your brother.”

Now I understand why. Nikolai is not an easy topic of conversation for us. No matter how much time has passed, I know that he’s still looking for me. I know that he’s still hunting me. Given the choice that Daniel had to make—whether it was me, or Alek—I knew that there was the possibility that something terrible was going to happen to him. I try to not think about it most days.

“Oh?” I ask, knowing that isn’t the bad part.

Daniel nods and presses his forehead to mine. “I have a plan that will help bring him back to us so that we can start to sort everything out. However, the plan is risky… I’ve spent the entire drive back home attempting to convince myself that I’m going to be okay with it, but now there is so much more to lose.”

I swallow hard against the dryness in my throat.

“From what my guys have gathered, he’s still doing well. But I think the only way that we will be able to get your brother back… is if we use you as bait.”

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