Epilogue
EPILOGUE
“D o we have to do this?” Rork grumbles, looking put out as he watches me adjust some silverware on the dining room table. “This sounds like hell.”
I glare up at him, placing my hands on my hips in a gesture of exasperation. “Yes, Rork, we do. I set up this dinner with my family because I want to share the happy news of my pregnancy. I haven’t told my mother and sisters that I’m expecting, and I want them to be a part of this journey.”
My expression softens as I cross the room, my hand coming to rest gently on my flat stomach. “This is going to be the first grandchild, and I know my family will want to be involved. They deserve to know and celebrate this moment with us.”
Rork sighs, his eyes rolling heavenward in a gesture of affectionate resignation. “Fine, fine. I’ll play nice, for your sake. But don’t expect me to enjoy it.”
I laugh, leaning in to press a soft, sweet kiss to his lips. “I expect you’ll just grin and bear it. And that’s all I ask. Just be yourself.” I pause, my face screwing up. “Actually, no, don’t be yourself because you’re a bit of a bear.”
“Rude,” he teases, his green eyes lighting up with amusement. “But not wrong.”
“Just let them see how happy we are together,” I finish, carding my hands through his hair. “That’ll win them over.”
He grumbles something under his breath, but I can see the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I know that he would do anything for me, including enduring an awkward family dinner, if that’s what it takes to make me happy.
When my family finally arrives, the tension in the room is palpable. My father looks like he’s swallowed glass, his jaw clenched tight. My mother’s face is pinched with worry, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.
And my sisters… well, they look like they’d rather be anywhere else in the world. Dominico has an arm wrapped tightly around Sofia, glaring at Rork with barely disguised hate.
But I refuse to let their discomfort ruin this moment.
“Hi!” I say brightly, moving forward to hug them all. “Thank you for coming. I hope the traffic wasn’t bad. I thought you guys would be here a bit earlier.”
“It wasn’t,” my father says shortly. “It just took a bit longer as our guards needed to assess for any threats.”
My heart sinks. What is going on with Papa? He had just given us his blessing a few days ago, and now he’s acting like he wants to shoot Rork on sight. My hand finds Rork’s and holds on tightly. My father and mother’s eyes track every movement.
Dinner is fucking awkward, the atmosphere thick with tension. My mother and sisters pick at their food, their eyes darting between Rork and me with a mix of apprehension and suspicion. My father and Dominico don’t take their eyes off Rork, unease rolling off them.
It’s time.
Taking a deep breath, I clear my throat and speak up, my voice ringing with a confidence I don’t quite feel.
“Everyone, I have some news to share with you.”
All eyes turn to me, curious and wary. I feel Rork’s hand find mine under the table, his fingers lacing through mine in a gesture of silent support.
“Rork and I… we’re expecting a baby. I’m pregnant.”
For a moment, there’s stunned silence. Then, like a damn bursting, the reactions pour forth.
“What?” my mother gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “Bianca, are you serious?”
“Oh, my God! Congratulations!” Sofia exclaims, a tentative smile spreading across her face as Dominico looks stunned.
“Wow, I… I don’t know what to say,” Chiara mumbles, her eyes wide with shock as Mia drops her fork.
My father remains silent, his expression unreadable. But I can see the flicker of emotion in his eyes, the hint of something that might almost be hope.
I nod, my own smile growing wider as I bask in their reactions. “It’s true. We’re going to be parents.”
Beside me, Rork squeezes my hand, this thumb brushing over my knuckles in a soothing, reassuring rhythm.
“Do you need anything?” he asks, his voice low and tender.
I shake my head, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”
He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “Just let me know if you change your mind. I want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.”
I can feel my family’s gazes on us, their expressions shifting from surprise to curiosity to something that might almost be… resigned acceptance.
As the meal progresses, Rork’s attentiveness never wavers. He fills my plate without being asked, making sure to include all of my favorite dishes. When I mention a craving for something sweet, he disappears into the kitchen and returns moments later with a slice of cake, a knowing smile on his face.
“You mentioned this was your favorite the other day,” he murmurs, setting the plate down in front of me. “I made sure Helen had some on hand, just in case.”
I feel tears prick at the corner of my eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of his thoughtfulness and care.
As the evening progresses, I find myself marveling at the sight before me. My father and Rork, the two men who have been at odds for longer than I’ve been alive, are actually engaged in a civil conversation. More than that, they seem to be finding common ground.
Even my mother seems to be warming to him. I catch her smiling at him when she thinks no one is looking, a wistful expression on her face as if she’s remembering the friendship they once shared.
It’s a miracle, a true testament to the power of love and forgiveness.
And maybe a little arm wrestling.
Suddenly, my father leans forward, his eyes glinting. “Say, O’Malley, did you hear what happened to Judge Bellucci?”
Rork raises an eyebrow, his expression carefully neutral. “No, I can’t say that I have. What’s the story?”
My father takes a sip of his wine. “Apparently, the good judge was found dead in his car last week. A bullet right between the eyes.”
I glance at Rork who just shrugs, his face a mask of innocent curiosity.
“Is that so?” he asks, his tone light and unconcerned. “What a tragedy. I wonder who could have done such a thing.”
But even as he speaks, I catch the hint of a dark smile tugging at his lips, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes that belies his casual demeanor.
My father nods, his expression one of grim approval. “Indeed. A tragedy, but perhaps not an unexpected one. The judge had many enemies, after all.”
Rork hums in agreement, his hand finding mine under the table and giving it a gentle squeeze.
I lean in, my lips placed at the shell of his ear. “Do I want to know why you put a hit out on Judge Bellucci?”
Rork chuckles. “Let’s just say that he seemed to think I owed him a favor.”
Well, that’s not mysterious or anything. I’ll get the answer out of Liam later. The man has been treating me like I’m breakable since he found out I’m pregnant. All I’ll have to do is just tell him how stress is bad for the baby, and Liam will sing like a bird.
Poor man can’t tell when he’s being manipulated.
* * *
At the end of the night when my family leaves, I turn to Rork with a smile that’s equal parts exhausted and elated. The evening has been a whirlwind of emotions, a roller coaster ride that has left me feeling drained but utterly content.
“You were amazing tonight,” I murmur, my hands coming to rest on his chest as I gaze up at him with adoring eyes. “I can’t believe my family softened.”
Rork smiles down at me, his expression soft and tender in the warm glow of the candlelight. “It’s not so hard when it makes you happy.”
I feel my heart skip a beat at his words, a rush of love and gratitude so strong it steals the breath from my lungs. “You make me happy, Rork. You and this baby. I never knew it was possible to love someone this much, to feel so complete and at peace.”
He reaches out, his hands cupping my face with a gentleness that belies the strength I know lies beneath. “You are my everything, Bianca. My heart, my soul, my reason for living. And I will spend the rest of my days making sure you know that.”
I laugh, but tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “That was fucking corny,” I tease. “What would your men say if they knew their big, bad Mafia Boss was so soft?”
“I don’t care,” he whispers.
With that, he leans in, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that’s both tender and passionate. I melt into his embrace, my arms winding around his neck as I pour all the love and longing in my heart into that single, perfect moment.
The world falls away, the worries and the fears and the doubts of the past fading into nothingness. There is only this, only the heat of his body against mine and the taste of his lips on my tongue.
His lips are soft and insistent, moving against mine with a hunger that sends shivers down my spine. My hands find their way to his hair, tangling in the blond strands as I pull him closer. His hands roam my back, pressing me against him, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body.
Without breaking the kiss, we make our way to the bedroom, our movements urgent and filled with desire. Clothes fall away, and soon, we’re skin to skin, the sensation electrifying. We fall into bed together, our bodies molding perfectly against each other.
Rork’s hands are everywhere, caressing, teasing, worshiping every inch of my skin. I respond in kind, my fingers tracing the muscles of his back, feeling the strength beneath his skin. Our breaths mingle, ragged and filled with need, as we explore each other with a familiarity that only deepens our connection.
He moves over me, his weight comforting and grounding. “Bianca,” he whispers against my lips, his voice husky with desire, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Rork,” I reply, my voice trembling with emotion. “So much.”
As he enters me, it’s a slow, deliberate motion, and I gasp at the exquisite pleasure that follows. We move together in perfect harmony, our bodies attuned to each other’s needs. Each thrust, each touch, each kiss builds the pleasure higher until we’re both lost in a sea of sensation.
The world narrows to just the two of us, our love and desire creating a cocoon of intimacy. When we finally reach our climax, it’s with a shuddering, shared release that leaves us breathless and sated.
In the afterglow, we lie tangled together, our limbs entwined. I rest my head on Rork’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. It’s a sound that anchors me, reminding me that I’m home.
“This is the happiest I’ve ever been,” I whisper, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin, following the lines of the scars from the cougar attack.
Rork’s arms tighten around me, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Me too, Bianca. Me too.”
As we drift off to sleep, I know that whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them together. Because with Rork by my side, I have everything I’ve ever wanted.
And this is just the beginning of our beautiful life together.