Epilogue
Alessio
S ix months. It feels like a lifetime since we were caught in the middle of chaos, wondering if we would survive it all. The betrayals, the pain, the danger. It feels like a dream now—like someone else's life. We're no longer fighting for survival. The war is over, and for the first time, we have peace.
The families are somewhat steady again, and Domenico's death has created a shift that we never expected. The Russians are fractured, the power struggles among the families fading into quiet resolutions. And we've emerged stronger. Together.
But none of that matters as much as what's standing right in front of me.
Sophia.
She stands by the window, looking out at the sprawling city below, her silhouette bathed in the soft glow of the evening light. The way she looks, so serene and calm after everything, fills me with a sense of peace I never thought I would have.
We left the mansion three months ago. The large castle is nothing more than a reminder of things that once were. We knew we needed a fresh start, so we packed up our bags and found a home on the upper east side of the city.
I walk toward her, the weight of the last six months hanging heavy on my shoulders, but the moment I reach her, everything else fades. She turns to face me, her eyes meeting mine. There's something in her gaze—a quiet strength, an unspoken bond.
"Sophia," I say softly. "I can't imagine my life without you."
She smiles, the kind of smile that makes everything in the world feel right. "You don't have to," she replies warmly, her eyes flicking to mine with a mixture of relief and love.
"I've been thinking," I begin, my pulse quickening as I take a step closer, "about everything we've been through. And about the life we've built and are still building. But I haven't asked you something that I've wanted to ask."
She tilts her head, a curious glimmer in her eyes. "What is it?"
I take her hands in mine, my heart pounding in my chest. I pull out the box that has been burning a hole in my pocket for months now. I drop down to my knees. Her eyes and mouth widen in shock.
"I love you, Sophia. I've loved you for so long, and I want to spend every moment with you. I don't want to imagine my future without you in it. Will you marry me?"
The words come out faster than I expected, but they're the truth. The fear, the hesitation, everything I held back for so long—it's gone now. All that's left is the desire to hold her close, to build something real, something that's ours.
Sophia's breath hitches. For a moment, she doesn't say anything. She just stands there, staring at me. I can feel the tension in the air, the weight of what I've just asked, and I hold my breath.
Then, she smiles—soft, slow, and filled with everything I've hoped for.
"Yes," she whispers, trembling slightly. "Yes, of course, I'll marry you."
Relief floods through me, and for a second, the world stands still. I reach for her, my hands cupping her face as I kiss her, a kiss that seals everything we've been through, everything we've yet to face.
When we pull away, I smile at her, my heart soaring. "I promise you, Sophia. I will love you for the rest of my life."
She steps into me, her hands resting on my chest. "And I'll love you, Alessio. Always."
I can't help myself. I lean down, scooping her into my arms, the strength in my arms as much for me as it is for her. She laughs softly, her arms wrapping around my neck, and I carry her effortlessly toward the door.
She looks up at me, her smile brighter than I've ever seen it. "Where are we going?" she asks teasingly but filled with that familiar warmth.
"To our room," I respond. "Where I can show you just how much I love you."
As I carry her, everything melts away. The future is ours now—no more fear, no more fighting. Just the two of us, building something beautiful together. I can already see it: a life filled with love, hope, and the promise that no matter what happens, we'll face it as one.
When I reach the door to our room, I stop for a moment, looking down at her, my heart full.
"You've made me the happiest man alive, Sophia."
She looks at me with a mixture of love and joy, and in that moment, everything falls into place.
"Then let's make this last forever," she says.
I place her onto the bed gently and take my time trailing kisses up and down her body. The fat rock I just put on her finger glistens under the sun that streams in through the windows. I trail the kisses up the side of her neck, and then I come to her lips and capture them in a searing kiss.
Our tongues dance with each other, this gentle push and pull between us, a dance that we will never tire of and look forward to doing for the rest of our lives.
She bares her legs wide open for me. I move my hard penis against her wetness. She arches her back, her hands fisting the sheets underneath her.
"Oh fuck," she whispers. "I love you."
I align myself with her entrance and wait. I can feel the pulse of her lips against my tip. She moves in closer, trying to suck me into her sweet abyss, but I pull back. She lets out a frustrated groan to which I respond with a sweet peck on her lips. When I pull away, she has a pout on her lips.
"Hey fiancée." My words are tender as I try out her new title. I believe that it has a nice ring to it.
Her eyes soften, and she winds her arms around my neck. She pulls me in even closer until we are chest to chest and our lips are only a few centimeters from each other. She lifts her neck and presses her lips up against mine in a searing kiss that leaves my body electrified. As our tongues dance together, I inch myself into her until I reach the base.
We moan into each other's mouths, feeling the passion coursing from one body to the next. There is something magical about this moment. I am not a praying man, but I believe that Sophia is an angel, a pure example of heaven on earth.
I move my hips in a slow, steady rhythm, taking my time to feel every inch of her. Our mouths, hands, and cores move in this intricate dance that can only be done by the two of us. In and out I move within her, hitting every wall.
"Oh my God," she tangles her fingers in my hair and pulls on the short strands. "You feel?—"
"Divine." I finish the word off for her as I pick up my rhythm. The gentle and soft rhythm increases to something more primal and uncaged.
"Oh!" she screams into the room. "Yes! More!"
"Your wish… is… my… command." I lift her hips and begin my assault on her delicious pussy. I plough into her like a man unhinged. I want to claim every inch of her. I want to embed myself so deep into her soul that she will feel me with every breath she takes.
"Yes… yes… yes…" I work her body until I start to feel myself building up a sweat.
I can feel the edge drawing closer with every thrust until finally we both take the plunge and fall into the pool of sweet, sweet ecstasy.
Our orgasms rip through our bodies, violently sending shock waves all throughout our systems. My mind can't think straight. The only thing I can focus on is the love of my life, whom I'm holding onto for dear life.
The thick lust-filled haze eases as I pull out of her and collapse beside her sweat-kissed body. I wind my arm over her waist and pull her into my front. I nuzzle my nose into the crook of her neck and breathe in her scent.
So intoxicating.
She melts into me, her eyes moving over my now flaccid cock. But if she carries on like this, there will be round two in the next two minutes.
"To think," she breathes as her fingers thread through mine. "I thought you were nothing but a brooding, egotistical brute with no soul."
"Oh wow," I playfully nip at her ear with my teeth. She giggles and lets out the most adorable laughs.
She turns in my arms so she can look me dead in the eye. "And now, you are the absolute love of my life."
My heart melts. "And you are the love of mine."
Our lips come together, the kiss sealing an unspoken secret between the two of us. This is it—for life.
We still have trouble brewing just beyond the horizon. The Russians are not happy, and we will need to sort out that issue quickly. But for now, I will enjoy my woman and help her build the empire of her dreams.