Mafia Heir’s Broken Vows (Rosewood Hall Broken Vows)

32. Alessandro

ALESSANDRO

T he early morning sun spills in through the open windows, casting a soft golden hue across the villa. The breeze carries in the scent of salt and blooming flowers, rustling the linen curtains. The sea stretches endlessly before me, calm and serene.

I go out onto the terrace, coffee warming my hands, watching the waves roll in. This place, this life, feels like it was meant for us. Not the legacy of death and violence I was born into, but this—a future I chose.

Behind me, soft footsteps approach. Serafina wraps her arms around my waist, resting her cheek against my back.

"You're up way too early," she murmurs, her voice still heavy with sleep.

I place my hand over hers. "Couldn't sleep. Not even when everything finally feels—right."

She moans softly, lifting her head to press a kiss between my shoulder blades. "It does, doesn't it?"

I turn to face her, brushing her messy morning hair from her face. I lean in, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss.

"Come back to bed," she whispers against my lips.

I chuckle softly. "Soon. I just want to savor this—peace."

She tightens her hold around me, sighing contentedly. "Then come savor it in bed with me."

Later that morning, the villa is buzzing with activity. Leo races through the sprawling garden, his laughter bubbling from his belly. He darts between the olive trees, chasing after a lizard that I'm certain is imaginary.

Serafina lounges in the shade of an ancient olive tree, her head resting on my lap. The soft cotton of her dress blows up in the breeze, and her hand idly traces patterns along my arm. She's pretending to read, but I know her focus is on Leo. She's not turned a page since she started.

"Look at him," she whispers, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "He's so innocent still."

I run my fingers through her hair, savoring the softness. "I hope he stays that way."

Her eyes soften, and she reaches up to cup my face. "Nothing stays the same forever." She says with a wink. "Maybe he needs a sister, so he doesn't have to chase imaginary lizards all day."

"Maybe he needs a brother to chase lizards with," I answer her, thinking about growing our family reminds me how much I missed not being there for Leo.

Leo is now building small towers of stones along the garden's edge. His imagination turns them into castles, fortresses standing strong against imaginary armies. He uses his tractor to knock them over, then starts again.

The air cools with the setting sun, a relief from the blistering heat earlier in the day.

"Do you want more kids?" she asks, her voice not even a whisper. We've never spoken about it, about any of the things normal couples would have discussed.

I tighten my arm around her. "If you do, yes. But he's enough for me if you don't." She did it alone, and I'd understand if she didn't want to do it again. I know it was hard on her.

She turns slightly, her hand resting over my heart. "I'm glad you said that." She smiles, "Because I don't think they can be sent back." I blink, needing a moment to take it in.

I shift to face her fully, cupping her face in my hands. My thumbs trace the curve of her cheekbones. I can't wipe the smile off my face, "You're pregnant?" I double check I wasn't hearing things.

"Well, my boobs hurt, the smell of coffee makes me gag and I'm about three weeks late—the signs are all there." She laughs, and I kiss her—slow and lingering—this feels like the final seal on the life we've built. My family is complete.

Night drapes the villa in quiet stillness. Leo is tucked safely in bed, and Serafina and I stand together on the terrace, the sea a distant whisper.

She turns to me, her expression soft, full of playful warmth. "So, what now, Mr. D'Angelo?"

I slide my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. "Now? We have to pick a name, decorate a nursery, tell him he's going to be brother?—."

Her hands glide up to my chest, fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. "That is not what I meant." I lower my head, brushing my lips against hers, deepening the kiss until the world around us fades. I know what she meant, and I like what's next.

"I might have to marry you though, before this one arrives. Don't want the school moms to gossip and all—" she laughs and then looks at me. Not once have we said we'd get married. She never mentioned it, but I have thought about it. A whole lot. It's important to me—to do this right.

"You're serious?" She says as I get down on one knee. I pull out the ring that I have been hiding for a while now, waiting for the perfect moment. A few times I have just wanted to blurt it out and toss the ring out in the open. But I knew that the right time would come.

"Dead serious." I say, "Marry me, please." Serafina looks at me smiling so wide her face might crack.

"Can I think about it?" She jokes and then says. "Yes, I will marry you, Alessandro."