Epilogue
CATERINA
TEN YEARS LATER
My life was finally complete.
Years ago, I was a fool for believing love was a mistake, but then I met the woman of my dreams. Or well—kidnapped the woman of my dreams. Most mafia love stories started one way or another, and ours started like that.
It was a fun story to tell our children.
I knew the moment I saw her eyes, she would be the best thing to happen to me.
She changed the trajectory of my life for the better.
My life was perfect, but that word didn’t even come close to describing my wife.
She was gorgeous, selfless, stubborn, but she was extraordinary.
My merciful queen. I always thought it was a trick.
Devils never got angels like her, but she was real, and so was our life.
And now, if anyone, including God herself, decided to take my angel from me, I would raise hell to keep her with me for eternity.
The universe made a mistake giving this devil her angel, but she was mine.
My wife was on the balcony watching our children play. We had three boys, and with three boys came a lot of pent-up energy. I had to invest in a soccer field so I could keep them occupied and away from the house. Moira loved my children, but Lord, did the woman hate the mess they created.
With our five children, came our pets. Titus and Lucifer survived longer than I expected and spent the rest of their golden years spoiled rotten.
Each of our children had their own Doberman and Harlow and I each had another.
We also adopted animals from the local animal shelter.
Our home was lively, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
This was the life my mother wanted me to have, and I would enjoy every last minute of it.
I walked up to Harlow, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Do you think we could try for one more?” I asked, kissing her neck.
She laughed. “Well, your twins almost killed me, and you already said you weren’t pushing out another one, so. We can adopt.”
Harlow carried Nico and our twin boys, Romeo and Enzo, but she had a medical emergency and hemorrhaged.
Romeo almost died along with Harlow, but by the grace of whatever god liked me, they both survived.
We wanted one more, so I told her I would carry, and we got our final girl.
Thank God, because Serenity said if we gave her another brother, she was annexing her adoption.
Serenity knew even with us having children, she would be loved.
Blood or not, Serenity was our first born, and she hated the implications of what that traditionally would have meant.
She already said Nico would take over the family when he was old enough, because she refused to be a mafia queen.
She wanted to be a ballerina, and her goal was becoming her reality.
“You don’t want another night like when Savina decided to make her arrival?” I laughed remembering the night.
If this child didn’t make her arrival, I would have Lena cut her out. I didn’t want a C-section, but I was forty weeks pregnant and miserable. How the hell did Harlow do this twice and with twins? Our sons were heavy, and the twins were high-risk.
Harlow was between my legs, devouring me. Lena said sex was the best way to induce labor, and I made Harlow useful. There was pain in my abdomen, something I never experienced when Harlow went down on me before a gush spilled from my legs. I peered down at my wife and her face was drenched.
“Either you just became the world champion for squirting or your water just broke.” She laughed as she moved her wet hair from her face. This was a first for us.
“I’d say our little girl is ready to make her arrival.”
Harlow shuddered. “I will divorce you. Don’t remind me.” Marie walked onto the balcony with Savina in her arms. She was two, and an active little girl. “Thanks, Mama. What are you doing today?”
“Antonio and I are taking the kids to the city before the school year starts. They are not ready for it.”
Antonio and Marie started dating three years after she was rescued. I saw it before they did and eventually made the move for Antonio after giving him a speech about hurting my wife’s mother. They got married two years ago.
“Have fun and be safe. I love you.”
“I love you.”
Harlow handed me Savina. “Hi, andioletta. Oh, my sweet baby.”
Harlow brushed Savina’s hair from her face. “You know, you really birthed your twin.”
This was my life. My wife, my children. The serenity we have in life now.
Obviously there were some things that happened when I was still a mafia queen, but my family was safe.
I was raising children to take over our family business.
Harlow didn’t want them to be involved in the illegal side of things, but when they got older, it would be their choice.
We both agreed our children would choose who they wanted to marry.
There were already families asking for Savina’s hand when she turned eighteen.
I threatened to blow their dick off before shooting them in the head if they ever reached out to me again.
My life was complete, but our story wasn’t over. I was ready to rule the world with my queen by my side.