Epilogue
THREE MONTHS LATER
RAVENNA
“ I ’m so happy that you’re finally coming home, Elle. I’ve missed you so much.” It’s true. Sisters, especially twins, should never be this far away from each other for so long. Part of my soul has been living in Italy for years now, and without Elena, I don’t feel complete.
“I’ve missed you too,” she says on the phone.
“But I’ve also discovered myself here. You know how I love reading, and now I’ve been writing too.
I’ve really discovered my voice. Touring around the country with Gin last year opened my eyes to how life can be so much more.
Now that he’s gone, I feel safer in this world than I ever have. ”
“I’m so glad to hear all of that.”
I told her all about what happened on our previous phone call, all too happy to tell her the man who kidnapped her is finally dead. He can’t ever hurt her, or anyone else, again.
“What else is going on?” she asks.
I catch her up on the latest news, starting with myself. “We just found out we’re having twins.”
Elena gasps. “Are you serious? Congratulations!”
“Thanks. We’re happy about it, but I didn’t expect that news.
A while ago I did some research on twins.
Apparently fraternal twins can run in families because it can be genetic, but identical twins is kind of a fluke.
It’s random. I figured since twins don’t run in our family that I’d be in the clear. Surprise!”
She laughs, and it’s good to hear. “I’m not surprised. Everything in your life has been crazy. In fact, I’m surprised you’re not having triplets.”
“Hey, don’t jinx me or I’ll end up with triplets next.” We giggle. “Speaking of babies, Arianna’s coming along too. Our due dates are like a week apart.”
Finding out my cousin is also pregnant at the beginning of the year was a surprise. For the past several years, we’ve had very little talk of starting families, now all of a sudden it’s happening.
“Sweet. When I get home, know that I’m free for child care whenever either of you need a break. I’ll be the spinster auntie for all of them.”
“I’m sure you’ll marry one day.” I know she’s had a rough time, but someone will eventually sweep Elena off her feet.
“Nope. I’m extremely happy with my life, and after everything you and our cousins have been through there’s no way in hell I’m marrying anyone.”
“But we all ended up with our happily ever afters.”
She scoffs. “Sorry to break it to you, but those are reserved exclusively for fiction. There’s no such thing in real life, at least not for long.”
“Rain on my parade, why don’t you,” I tease her.
“Sorry. But let’s be real.” Her voice grows quiet. “Even though that evil man is gone, I’m still terrified of big guys. Maybe even of men in general. I just can’t.”
My heart goes out to her. “You know I’d never be weird about it if you preferred women.”
“I wish I did.” She groans. “My sex life is nonexistent because I’m afraid of men, but I’m sexually attracted to them. It’s terrible.”
“That is a predicament.”
“I guess that’s what adult toys are for,” she mumbles.
“Elena!”
“What? Too much information?”
“No.” I laugh. “Just unexpected coming from you. You’ve always been so sweet and innocent.”
“Well, I’m all grown up now.”
“I know. I can’t wait to see you, and have you be physically here and part of the family again.”
“One more week.”
“I know. But that feels like an eternity.”
“I need to finish packing up all my books. See you soon, then we’ll get everyone together for a proper catch up session.”
“It’s already planned.”
We say our goodbyes and hang up. I smile at nothing, alone with my thoughts and feelings. I’m thrilled to have my sister coming home. Finally, all of us girls will be reunited and building the rest of our lives together.
A minute later my phone rings. It’s an unknown number, but my intuition tells me to answer, so I do.
“Hello?”
“Ravenna?”
“Who is this?”
“Maximo Pontrelli. Sophia gave me your number.”
“Oh. What do you want?” Why is the new Pontrelli don calling me? I’m not really involved with the Italian mafia much these days, and given how little help he offered to Cian when he needed it most, I’m not especially interested in being courteous.
Once family, always family, but I don’t consider Maximo a close relative. So he must be calling about official business, even though I don’t answer to him.
He speaks in a formal, reserved tone. “I… I would like to inform you that I’ll be picking Elena up from the airport when she arrives. Even though the threat against her has been neutralized, she remains under my protection until I decide otherwise.”
My skin prickles with unease, and suspicion crawls through me. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying that as my responsibility, Elena will live under my roof until she’s ready to move out. We don’t know if that man acted alone or if there are others. I want to take precautions when she arrives back in New York. Until I’m sure she’s safe, she will remain under my protection.”
“I see.” I don’t. “But?—”
“No but . She is your sister, but as don of the Pontrelli family, I have the authority to do as I see fit. I’m only telling you as a courtesy.”
“Is that so?” Annoyance creeps into my tone. “She was supposed to move in with me.”
“That will not be happening. At least, not right away.”
“I demand to see my sister when she arrives on that jet.”
“You will. I will bring her to see you. But she will not be staying with you. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
There’s no arguing with him. He’s right, he has the authority to do whatever he wants, everyone else be damned.
He continues, “I know you Pontrelli women are strong-willed, but I will not tolerate any interference to my plans. If you attempt to hide Elena away, I will come after all of you until I find her. Do you understand me?”
“I do,” I say through clenched teeth. “But if you lay one finger on my sister, I’ll cut it off and choke you with it.”
“It would be wise not to threaten your family’s don.” He hangs up.
Stronzo! Why is he doing this to Elena? Is he that obsessed with his duty to protect her, or is there more going on? Elena’s barely mentioned Maximo in all these years. Surely she’d tell me if something was going on between them. Wouldn’t she?
Thank you for reading Corrupt Promises! Please consider leaving a review, they are like tips for authors. If you enjoyed Cian and Ravenna’s story, I’d really appreciate it!
She’s been under his protection for years. Now she’s safe. But he’s not willing to let her go. She belongs to him.
Read Maximo and Elena’s story in Brutal Proposal.
XX,
Cassia