Untamed Obsession – Extended Epilogue
Maria
As I walked into the building, I noticed Dorothy at the front desk as always. She smiled at me softly. I nodded, recalling how we had fixed things. She had forgiven me easily after our confrontation the night I left the penthouse. She said she had understood my anger and fear.
She tapped the button for the elevator doors from her desk as I walked in. “Welcome home Mrs. Preston. I hope your day went well.”
“Absolutely fabulously, Dorothy! How about you come upstairs later, and we can celebrate. Bring some champagne while you are at it!”
Dorothy nodded, “What would we be celebrating?”
“When you get upstairs, I’ll let you know,” I replied, walking into the elevator. As the door closed, I smiled, excited to tell Angelo the good news. I had kept it a secret from him for long enough, and now was the time for me to tell him. The elevators stopped, and Benny walked in, nodding at me.
“Madam.”
“Benjamin.”
“Going up?” He asked.
“Only way I know,” I replied.
He hit the button for the floor he would be stopping on and the elevator climbed until it got there. He stepped out, nodded at me, and walked away. I liked that he was not entirely fond of me, but he knew that Angelo loved me, and he respected me for it. It had gotten a lot better with time, and I was certain he was going to make a great uncle when the time came.
The doors opened to the floor that I had spent the best moments of my life on. It had undergone a few changes to ensure it did not look exactly like the den of a mafia kingpin anymore. A few colors to spruce things up, better drapes… A little woman’s touch had brought the entire floor to life. There was a lot of work to be done still, but for now, it was home.
“It is just like the first time you walked in here… Beautiful, graceful. The best thing I have ever laid eyes on.”
“Even after all of the time, we have spent together?” I asked, giving him a little spin.
“Especially after it all.” Angelo grabbed my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. I allowed myself to be taken in by his love, because I was completely in love with him.
I had doubted it in the beginning, I had doubted myself. I had no idea why, but being with Angelo had allowed me to see a side of myself that I did not know existed. I became more confident, more sure of myself. I loved the woman I had become, the woman who had doubted that she loved this mafia lord was long gone. All that was left was the wife of Angelo Preston, the man who controlled the city. It was more than I could ask for, and I was more than grateful.
“Maria, you are everything I could ever want and more.”
“Well, I am about to become much more than that,” I replied, reaching for the envelope in my bag.
The security alert blared to life and Angelo pulled away, reaching out to the desk to pick up the call coming from the ground floor. I heard Dorothy speak from through the intercom. “Sir, ma’am, we have a visitor. I don’t think it’s someone we’re friendly with. He has requested to see both of you, and we have vetted him, so he is completely safe. I think he has something he wants to say to you both.”
“Both of us?” Angelo asked, still getting used to the fact that we were going to be referred to as a couple.
We hurried into the elevator and took it all the way down. I watched Angelo sneak a gun into his jacket as we went down just in case we ran into some sort of trouble. It had been six months, and we were well past all the madness with Vasquez, but he was not the only threat we would ever face. There would always be others, those who would want to come for our power, and so we had to be ready for it all.
As the doors parted, we walked out and noticed the members of the family who were in the lobby. They did not have their guns pointed at the man, but I knew they were there, underneath their coats, waiting to be pulled free. The man would be shot to the ground the second he appeared to be some sort of threat. Benny walked up to him, questioning him, but we could not pick up on his replies from our distance. As we got closer, I saw his face and recognized him immediately.
“Johnny?”
“Maria, Mr. Preston.” Johnny turned to look at Angelo beside me. “Look, Maria, I know what you’re thinking right now, and I know I fucked up. I could have stopped all the madness, I could have helped you escape that night when you came to my home. But I was a part of Vasquez’s crew for so long, and if I had betrayed them, they would kill me. I couldn’t turn down a direct order like that. I’m so sorry, and I wish, more than anything, that you will find it in your heart to forgive me.”
I reached for him and took his hand. I had watched his face the entire time. Studied his countenance. Johnny was not a bad guy. He was just stuck in an unfortunate situation and had to do what he did to survive. The fact that I was on the receiving side was just an unfortunate haphazard. But he was here now, begging for forgiveness. “I understand Johnny, I get it, and I’m sorry you were in that situation. It’s okay.”
“I remember you. You were the one who worked for Vasquez, the man who refused to shoot us in the end. I tried to look for you afterward, checking the reports of those who they reported dead, but you weren’t among them. So, I guessed you fell off the radar, went on the run to save yourself. You did a brave thing, Johnny. You almost died, and in doing so, you saved my life. Both our lives, and I am eternally grateful for that.”
Johnny nodded, looking at both of us. He sniffled a bit and I saw the color of joy wash over his face. “There is something else, though.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“I was wondering if I could join your family. Since Vasquez is gone, I can offer my services and expertise in any way it’s needed.”
“Sure,” I replied. “As long as you are okay with it?” I turned to Angelo.
“Absolutely.”
We took the elevator and headed back to the loft upstairs. I turned around and hugged Angelo, “As I was saying, I received something in the mail today.”
“What is it?”
“A letter from the med school I applied to.”
“You applied at med school?” Angelo asked, shocked.
“Yes… I think it’s time I became Dr. Maria Preston, don’t you?”
“Wait, so what did the letter say?”
I smiled at him and kissed him. “It said yes. I’m in!”
A smile erupted across his face, and he pulled me in tightly, “Well, I think my current doctor is certainly in need of a break.”
“If you get yourself shot or hurt, just know that you’re paying full price,” I laughed.
“Yes, doctor… Though, perhaps we could come to some other kind of arrangement.” He grazed the side of my ear with his teeth and smiled seductively at me. “But more on that later. How about we go celebrate?”
I smiled back. “I’d love that more than anything.”
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Thank you for your positive comment, my dear! 🖤
I did enjoy this book. The story was different and the characters well developed. I just wish the book had been edited and the mistakes corrected. Grammar mistakes take away from the flow of the story.
Thank you so much for your positive and honest feedback, dear Louise! I will genuinely take your words into consideration! 🙂
I really enjoyed it. I agree that some proof reading would help.
Thank you for your positive and helpful feedback, dear Mercedes! I will take your words into consideration! 🙂
I loved this story. Well written, characters came Alive. You are my new favorite author
Thank you so much for your kind review Terese! I’m so happy you enjoyed the story! ❤️
Enjoyed the story but the whole book needed to be proof read better. Will continue to read your books as the story line is very interesting.
Thank you dear Cyndy! ❤️ I’m so happy you liked my book! ❤️
Loved reading this book! Maria and Angelo were interesting, complicated, and hot as a couple.
Thank you so much, my dear Charlotte! 💖 They were such a fiery and complex couple to write, and I’m so glad they resonated with you. ✨