Epilogue
“B abe, you need to stop glaring at people like that!”
“I’m not glaring, Bonnie. I’m keeping an eye on them.”
“You look like you’re one misplaced book away from committing a homicide.”
Allegra throws her hands in the hair. “Would it really be that much of an imposition for people to put the book back where it belongs? It’s just common decency. Those displays take a long time to create.”
If Allegra catches me laughing, she’ll stomp off in a huff, which will only make me laugh harder because she’s adorable. I didn’t realise how seriously she would take building displays. The new Selma Peterson book landed in the shop last week and Allegra asked if she could build the promotional book tower for it, which I had no problem with.
She did a fantastic job, but now she’s guarding it like a case of rare wine. Only Audrey has had the bollocks to go over and peruse the display since opening this morning. Every other customer has seen Allegra standing ten feet away with hands on hips, glaring, and bustled off in another direction.
“It’s the way things are, sweetie. But we need to sell the books, so you have to stop.”
“Fine,” she grumbles, “I’ll go and make some tea.”
When she’s out of sight, I let my laughter go. God, I love that woman. It’s been eighteen months of dates, holidays, and family meals. My dads took the longest time to come around to our relationship. Allegra never complained, though. She understood why they were finding it hard. Even after Allegra explained the Ferrante family was no longer in the Mafia, my fathers were sceptical.
I was at first, to be honest. I couldn’t believe they were free and clear with no backlash. Thankfully, Allegra was patient and took me through every step she and Lorenzo took to reach the goal. They spent three gruelling weeks in meetings with the other Mafiosi families. They signed away client lists and territory rights.
The hardest part was convincing the Mafiosi they wouldn’t turn informant. The only way to appease them was another pact. Allegra and Lorenzo swore they’d never turn state’s evidence in return for a swift and complete breakaway from “The Life”.
Apparently, the extended family gave no opposition as soon as they found out they’d get to keep their lavish lifestyles. It was Lorenzo’s news that took me by surprise the most. He decided to drop the Ferrante name altogether, and with my blessing, adopted my mother’s surname of Poletti. It was a way for him to prove to me he wanted a new beginning for us both. I knew what it meant for him to replace his family name with hers. I let him know what it meant to me, too.
Lorenzo visited a week after Allegra turned up, and like her, he never left. I kept waiting for the dream to end. I mean, who would give up a vineyard in Sicily to live in a cramped flat with a woman who works in a bookshop? Allegra, that’s who. She wined and dined me and made me feel like the only girl in the world . Yes, I just sang that. Rihanna is the queen.
Anyway, we dated for a month before we became official girlfriends. Then, Allegra whisked me away for a holiday in Europe. We ended it with a week at the villa. Kelley met us there because, unbeknownst to me, she had never stopped hooking up with Beth. They’re engaged now, and Kelley lives in Italy. It makes our book club a tad harder, but WhatsApp works well enough. Plus, Allegra is such a book nerd now. She squealed when Selma’s new mob book released.
We binge-read it over homemade pizza and a bottle of Allegra’s wine. It was perfect.
Now, though, I’m ready to make a change for us both. As much as Allegra is happy here, I know she misses the villa and working in the vineyard. I miss it too. Over the past few months, I’ve dipped my hand into the editing and proofreading pool. I figured I read enough, and for once I didn’t want to stick to the known. I wanted to take a leaf out of Allegra’s book and do something new; something scary. So I handed in my notice to Clive. I’ve got a few authors who want to work with me, so far. I can work from anywhere, so now I just have to tell Allegra we’re going to Italy—if she wants to, which I think she does. Oh, blimey, I’m rambling internally.
Allegra slides up next to me with a cup. “Here, I made you tea. And look, I got it the right colour!”
“See? You’re an expert. I knew you could do it, honey,” I laugh.
“We’re out of biscuits, though. I think Audrey is behind their disappearance.”
“She works one afternoon a week, babe.”
“And she’s always got crumbs on her top when she comes back from her tea break.”
“Speaking of working,” I say, noticing Allegra’s quirked eyebrow at my lame topic transition, “um, so I have something to tell you, and I’d like to do it over dinner and wine tonight.”
“Why can’t you tell me now?”
“Because we’re at work.”
“And yet you mentioned wanting to talk, which means you’re nervous and actually need to have the discussion sooner, rather than later.”
I chuckle. “Yes, okay. Let’s go to the office. But you stay five feet away at all times.”
Her innocent look doesn’t work on me. Allegra likes to get frisky in the bookstore, and I have zero willpower. My office desk has seen some things, let me tell you.
We keep the mandatory distance and settle into our seats.
Here goes nothing .
“I resigned.”
“Resigned what?”
“My position as the store manager. Here at Wood’s Writing Emporium.”
“Okay. Is there something wrong? Did Clive give you shit about me hanging around? I’ll stay away if it’s a problem.”
“No, nothing like that. Um, well, I’ve been working towards something, and I’m ready to go for it.”
She crosses one leg over the other, and it’s a stance I know well. Her boss mode, as I call it.
“And what are you ready to go for, my love?”
Allegra calling me her love, sends shivers down my spine.
“I’m going to be a freelance book editor. In Italy.”
Her tongue swipes across her lower lip. “In Italy?”
“Yes. Sicily, to be precise. There’s this villa I’d like to live in. What do you think?”
“I think I’m about to break the five-feet rule,” she growls, getting up and stalking towards me. I stand to meet her halfway. We kiss and ignite. I’m taking it she’s happy with my announcement. Her hands drop to the hem of my skirt, which she then hikes up above my hips. My knickers are pulled to the floor, and I’m pushed back into my office chair.
Allegra drops to her knees. The floor is dusty and I’m instantly worried about her very expensive trousers getting mucky. I’m the only one concerned, though, because Allegra’s attention is solely on her prize, which sits between my legs and is aching for her tongue.
She looks up with a grin. “I love you, Bonnie.” And then she descends.
Her mouth is extraordinarily good. I’m writhing in place in no time at all. The only thing that could make it better is… Oh, yeah, she’s taken down her hair. My hands grab two fistfuls and pull her closer. Her tongue delicately grazes my clit before she sucks me in. The contrasting sensations drive me over the edge and I cry out… Loudly.
Good job I’ve quit, because this is definitely a sackable offence, and I’ve absolutely just traumatised anyone in the store. “Oh…wow,” I pant.
“That’s just the beginning. I’m going to show you over and over again, just how much I love you when we get home.”
Loosening my hands from her hair, I drop them to her face and stroke her cheeks. “Does this mean you’re okay with moving back to Italy? I know I should have told you.”
“If it’s what you want, bella , I’m happy to go back.”
“Not back, Allegra… Home. It’s where you belong, and I belong with you.”
She helps me to my feet and to redress. “Your dads will not be happy.”
“They already know. I pre-warned them weeks ago. I just wanted to be sure this is what you’d want. I know you’re happy here, but I see it in your eyes, Al. You miss the vineyard and your family. We’re not going back to what it was, so my fathers have no say in it. I trust the pact to be upheld, and I trust you . Plus, I think Lorenzo will be happy to come too. He needs a hobby that isn’t chatting up my customers.”
Allegra laughs. “He’s a smooth talker, but it’s all for fun. He’s still devoted to Maria. He always will be. But yes, I agree he needs something to occupy him. Running the sales at the vineyard would make him happy.”
“Will you be happy? If we go back? Mia, Rosa, and Toni will be over the moon to have you home.”
She pulls me in. Our lips are an inch apart as those striking eyes bore into me. “Where you are, is where I’m happy. But there is one thing that might make it all the sweeter.”
“And what’s that?”
“Marry me.”
I pull back in shock. Then bite my lip. “Hmm, I said I’d never marry the mob queen.”
She smiles. “I’m only Donna Malgeri in the bedroom, baby…at your request.”
I blush because she isn’t wrong. “I suppose I did become your sex slave. Might as well go the whole hog, huh?”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a hell yes!” I laugh and kiss her. “Will you…”
“I’ll dress the part for you tonight, Ms Moorside. Prepare to be seduced.”
“ Mob’s Seduction, ” I titter. “Maybe it’s not such a bad title after all.”
Allegra bites my nose. “I wouldn’t go that far.”