Epilogue
A month later…
Gia
“Can you please zip it for me?” I ask Dante, standing behind him as we look at the full-length mirror.
My eyes catch his on the reflection, and I recognize that look. But we can’t fuck—he should have been getting ready with his brothers for Rocco’s wedding ceremony.
I look at the long mahogany dress I wear—it fits me perfectly, the V-neck sensual but nothing too risqué for a church ceremony. Somehow, Dante’s dad makes his sons marry in a proper church as if the legality of the institution were in jeopardy otherwise. Never mind that his dad cheated on his first wife and continued to do the same with the second, which granted him a divorce. Aldo Gallo should be the last person to worry about moral compasses.
My engagement ring shines, the rock gleaming in the mirror. The day after Dante asked me to marry him, he gave me a gorgeous pear-shaped diamond ring. He’s spoiling me, and not just with expensive gifts. “Isn’t it funny that Rocco is marrying before us?”
Dante embraces me from behind, and a shiver of awareness trickles down my spine. Rocco decided to be the sacrificial lamb a month ago in that stakeout, which was a possibility of a solution. So far, the past few weeks haven’t been as tense as before. However, I still have my doubts about Ross Santini.
“I want our day to be perfect,” he says, caressing my shoulders and kissing the length of my neck.
Goosebumps rise on my arms.
“I went from never wanting to marry to desperately wanting you as a wife. A quick trip to the Justice of the Peace won’t do,” he says.
“I have everything I need.”
“Me too. Though I must say… currently, I have other needs too,” he says, then shamelessly pulls me against him, my back to his front. I feel his hard cock poking me, and my heart skitters. Damn it. We have a wedding to attend.
I slap his forearm half-heartedly.“Stop.”
“Never,” he says, then nips my earlobe. Damn.
I turn around to see him, to look at him. My fiancé. My man. Dante Gallo.
I sigh. “I guess a few minutes won’t matter, right?”
He pulls me into his arms. “Right.”
A loud knock at the door jolts me.
“Go away,” Dante yells, his eyes fixed on me.
Another knock. “Boss, we need to tell you something.”
I nod at him, giving him the go-ahead. I’m sure the makeup artist who glammed me up would be happy if I didn’t destroy her work. Besides… what could have happened? AJ is taking a nap, and Katie will watch her. We decided not to take her to the wedding and keep her safe.
Dante swings the door open in one frustrating swoosh. “What’s up?”
Andrei shoots him a look filled with frustration and concern. “Boss… it’s Rocco. He’s gone missing.”
“What? How can he go missing? It’s his wedding day,” he retorts. “I saw him not that long ago.”
“Did he say anything about changing his mind?” I ask, stepping closer. I wouldn’t blame Rocco for deciding against it, though if I’m being honest, it would be suicide if he left his bride on the day of the wedding.
A look of contempt crosses Dante’s eyes. “Not to me.” He looks at the security. “Do my brothers know about this?”
“They’re being informed as we speak, boss.”
“Good. Tell Nico to come over here as soon as possible. He can handle it. I have a fiancée and a child; I’m not leaving the house until I know more.”
A mix of apprehension and pride swirls in my chest. Dante prioritizes us in every moment. He protects AJ and me, and I trust him completely. I never knew this kind of love was possible… or that I’d be on the receiving end of it.
Some of the most known families in Chicago are attending the ceremony for which Rocco insisted on footing the bill. Did Rocco have a hidden agenda when he offered to marry Santini’s niece? I swallow. He wouldn’t be that dumb. Sure, Rocco is spontaneous, but he’s not stupid. Right?
If Rocco jilts Santini’s niece...he’s a dead man.