27. Epilogue
Epilogue
“I’m thrilled that everything is working out,” Naomi told Melissa Runyon—formerly Melissa Peterson, now free and vibrant in a way Naomi had never seen before. “And no, I’m not upset at all that Mark and Jacob don’t need a nanny anymore. I know they’ll be in good hands now.”
“We can still meet you at the playground, right?” Mark asked, tilting his head up at Naomi, his big brown eyes filled with concern.
Naomi bent down, her hand braced on her round belly, and hugged the little boy tight.
“Yes! Of course! I’ll always meet you there.
” She turned to Jacob, who was also inching closer.
“And you too.” She opened her arms wide, and he bolted into them, laughing as she pulled them both into a big hug.
“There’s no way I’m losing touch with my two favorite little devils. ”
The boys giggled, and Mark puffed up bravely, sneaking a glance toward Tony. “Mr. Mancini promised to teach us to fight.”
Naomi’s head whipped around, startled. Tony was watching, utterly calm, but his lips curved just enough to tease her. “I believe I said self-defense lessons.”
Jacob grinned, not understanding the distinction. “Yeah. That.”
Melissa’s smile softened as she watched her sons run to their toy box, immediately competing over who could build the taller block tower.
“That would be wonderful,” she murmured, warmth shining in her eyes.
She turned back to Naomi, her voice quieter.
“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for us.
With Tom out of our lives…with full custody of my boys and the house… just knowing we’re safe—”
“He was a horrible man,” Naomi whispered, pulling Melissa into a hug.
The two women had become true friends over the last several months, bound by hardship and healing.
Naomi remembered picking Melissa up for that first awkward hospital visit after Tom, during his first week in prison after sentencing, had mysteriously broken both legs and collected more bruises than anyone cared to count.
Afterward, a very handsome FBI agent, Moretti or something, had appeared, working shockingly well alongside Tony and Sal.
Naomi had even caught the three of them laughing together, which had seemed impossible at the time.
After his conviction for attempted rape but before the sell-off of his business assets, Tom’s board of directors had opened up another investigation.
With Tom stuck in a hospital bed, unable to tamper with records or threaten his people, the truth came out.
A lot more truth than expected. Corporate espionage.
Embezzlement. Securities fraud charges were still pending.
Now, Tom sat behind federal bars, and Melissa—against all odds—had won.
The courts had given her full custody of the boys. And because Tom had tried to hide assets by transferring the deed of the family home into Melissa’s name, the place was hers, free and clear.
Sometimes, Naomi thought, the universe really did balance itself out.
“We need to go,” Tony announced.
Naomi smiled, slipping her hand into his.
At six months pregnant, standing up took more effort these days, but Tony pulled her up easily.
Sunlight glinted on the diamond and platinum rings that sparkled on her hand, proof of the life they were building together.
Tony’s arm curved around her, steady and warm, and he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.
“Call me if you need anything,” he told Melissa, his tone soft but his dark eyes carrying the unspoken warning that he would probably already know if she needed his help.
Melissa nodded, her gratitude shining as brightly as her smile. “Thank you—for everything.”
On the walk home from the Runyon house, Tony’s arm remained snug around Naomi’s waist.
“I think you should go back to school,” he commented, his tone casual, but his gaze intent.
Naomi laughed, leaning into his side. “Not until after the baby is born. And even then, I think I’d rather stay home and raise our kids.” She smiled up at him, eyes twinkling. “Would that be okay with you?”
For a man who’d spent his whole life keeping his emotions closely guarded, the smile that tugged at Tony’s lips came more easily now. He nodded. “I think that would be pretty damn amazing.”
Her heart swelled, and she whispered, “I love you.”
“Love you too,” he murmured back, his voice low and sure.
“Who’s this Moretti guy I keep hearing about?” she asked, leaning into him as she hummed with happiness.
Tony’s initial response was just a grunt, which didn’t tell her much. But a moment later, she looked up at him and noticed the slight smile on his handsome features.
“Trouble,” he told her.
A note from Elizabeth
Tony’s story was never meant to be more than a novella.
But once I started writing, it kept expanding, refusing to stay small.
I don’t usually dive into the lives of side characters, yet Tony came alive while I was working on Sal’s book and I couldn’t ignore him.
So I followed my gut and let his story unfold.
Thanks for strapping in with me on this wild adventure!