Bonus Epilogue （Chapter 1）
Chapter One
Sebastian
I once told the love of my life, I can do messy. And I meant it. Mia and I have been anything but perfect. We’re fueled by passion, and sometimes it’s a lot of work, but when I look into her eyes, I know I’ve found my forever.
After we captured Bishop, and we were finally able to wade through the aftermath of her father’s death, Mia and I decided we needed a break from the mafia life.
I still oversee things in the family, but I’ve taken on more of an advisory role. Mia says it’s because I’m old.
I say it’s because I want to spend every second with the love of my life. However, one thing I’ve learned about her is…she’s always right.
Maybe I am too old for the game, but either way, I’m happier when I’m doting on my favorite woman.
And that’s exactly what I plan on doing this weekend. I’ve got a surprise for her.
The wind howls as I cut the engine of the sleek black SUV at the entrance to the resort. Mia’s eyes widen, sparkling with unrestrained excitement. She’s been bouncing in her seat for the last twenty minutes, her fingers drumming against her thigh, barely able to sit still. The sight of her joy—a joy I worked hard to orchestrate—makes the corners of my lips tug upward despite myself.
“Sebastian,” she breathes, her voice hushed with wonder as she stares at the sprawling lodge framed by towering pine trees and freshly fallen snow. The building is an architectural marvel, all timber beams and expansive glass windows that catch the pale glow of the winter sun. “This is... wow.”
I smirk, unbuckling my seatbelt. “Wait until you see the inside.”
She practically flies out of the car as soon as I open her door. Her boots crunch against the pristine snow, and she spins around, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold and exhilaration. Her hair spills from beneath her knit beanie, a soft cascade of chestnut against the stark white backdrop. She’s breathtaking, and for a moment, I let myself just watch her.
“This place is amazing,” she says, tipping her head back to take it all in. “But it looks so empty. Where is everyone?”
I slide a hand into the pocket of my coat, the corner of my mouth twitching upward in a knowing smile. “Inside, where it’s warm.”
Her brow furrows, but before she can press further, I step closer, guiding her toward the entrance. The double doors swing open, and the resort manager, a polished man named Victor, greets us with a slight bow.
“Welcome, Mr. Cain, Miss Mia. Everything is prepared as you requested.”
Mia looks between Victor and me, her confusion deepening. “Requested?” Her gaze narrows playfully. “Sebastian, what did you do?”
I shrug nonchalantly. “You’ll see.”
We step into the lodge, and the warmth hits us immediately, a cozy contrast to the brisk air outside. A massive stone fireplace dominates the center of the lobby, flames crackling invitingly. Plush sofas and armchairs are arranged in intimate clusters, and the scent of pine and cinnamon wafts through the air.
Mia’s attention flickers to the emptiness again. There’s no bustling crowd, no check-in line, no ski equipment rentals buzzing with eager guests. It’s... silent, apart from the gentle hum of the fire.
She stops, turning to face me. “Okay, seriously, where is everyone?”
I slip my hand into hers, intertwining our fingers. “I bought out the resort,” I say, my tone casual, as if it’s no big deal. Her eyes go wide, and I can practically hear the thoughts racing through her head.
“For the weekend?” she asks, her voice high-pitched with disbelief.
“For the week.”
Her jaw drops. “Sebastian, that’s—”
“Extravagant?” I finish for her, raising an eyebrow. “Unnecessary? Over-the-top?”
“Yes,” she says, laughing, her cheeks flushed. “All of that. You didn’t have to—”
I silence her with a kiss, leaning down to capture her lips softly. She melts against me, her body relaxing into mine. When I pull back, she’s smiling, though her eyes still hold a trace of disbelief.
“This is our time,” I tell her, my voice low but firm. “No interruptions, no prying eyes. Just us.”
She bites her lower lip, and I know I’ve won her over. “Okay,” she says softly. “Just us.”
Victor steps forward again, clearing his throat. “Shall I show you to your suite?”
I nod, and he leads us toward the private elevator at the far end of the lobby. Mia looks around in awe, her hand gripping mine tightly. She’s been in my world long enough to know the lengths I’ll go to for her, but sometimes, I think my gestures still overwhelm her. I don’t mind. If anything, I like that I can still surprise her.
When the elevator doors slide open to reveal the penthouse suite, her gasp is audible. The room is a masterpiece of modern luxury—vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the snow-covered mountains, and a massive stone fireplace flanked by plush armchairs. A bottle of champagne sits chilling on the coffee table, next to a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries.
“Sebastian,” she whispers, stepping inside. She turns in a slow circle, taking it all in. “This is... I don’t even have words.”
“Good,” I tease, wrapping my arms around her from behind. “Because I don’t need words right now.”
She laughs, leaning back against me. Her happiness is infectious, and I find myself grinning as I press a kiss to her temple.
“Let’s get you settled,” I say, releasing her to grab her suitcase. She follows me to the bedroom, where a massive four-poster bed dominates the space. The bedding is a rich, inviting navy, and the windows offer yet another stunning view of the mountains.
“You really thought of everything,” she says, her voice tinged with admiration.
I shrug, setting her suitcase by the closet. “You deserve everything.”
Her smile falters for a moment, and she steps closer, her hand resting on my chest. “You spoil me, you know that?”
I cover her hand with mine, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. “You make it easy.”
Her eyes search mine, and I know she’s thinking about the past—about the secrets I kept, the dangerous life I led before her. I still lead it, to some extent, though I keep her far removed from it. She knows enough to understand who I am and what I’ve done, but not so much that it taints the way she looks at me. I’d burn my entire empire to the ground if it meant keeping that light in her eyes.
“So,” she says, breaking the moment with a grin. “When do I get my first ski lesson?”
“Eager, are we?” I tease, my lips quirking up.
“Of course. You’ve been hyping this up for weeks. I want to see if you’re as good a teacher as you are a skier.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Be careful what you wish for, Mia.”
She laughs, and the sound is like music. “I’m not scared of a challenge.”
“No,” I say softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You never are.”
***
An hour later, we’re on the slopes, bundled in layers and ready to go. Mia looks both excited and slightly terrified as she adjusts her goggles. The private instructor I hired stands nearby, but I wave him off. This is something I want to do myself.
“Okay,” I say, positioning her on the beginner slope. “First things first—balance. Bend your knees slightly, keep your weight centered.”
She nods, concentrating hard as she mimics my stance. “Like this?”
“Perfect,” I say, though her form is far from it. Still, she looks so determined that I can’t help but be impressed.
I show her how to position her skis, how to stop, how to glide. She’s hesitant at first, but within minutes, she’s sliding down the slope with a mix of exhilaration and fear.
“Sebastian!” she calls out, her voice tinged with both laughter and panic. “I’m doing it!”
“You’re doing great,” I call back, following closely behind. “Just keep your knees bent.”
She wobbles slightly but manages to stay upright. When she reaches the bottom of the slope, she turns to me with a triumphant grin.
“I didn’t fall!”
“Not bad for your first run,” I say, stopping beside her. “Ready to go again?”
Her grin widens. “Absolutely.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon on the slopes, and by the end of it, she’s exhausted but glowing with pride. As we ride the lift back up to the lodge, she leans her head on my shoulder, her eyes fluttering shut.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, her voice soft.
“For what?” I ask, pressing a kiss to her hair.
“For this. For everything. I’ve never felt so... cared for.”
I tighten my arm around her, my chest tightening with a feeling I can’t quite name. “You’re everything to me, Mia. Always.”
She doesn’t respond, but the way she snuggles closer tells me everything I need to know. As the lift reaches the top, I glance out at the setting sun casting a golden glow over the mountains, and I can’t help but feel like, for once, I’ve done something right.