Epilogue
Gaetano
Gaby had been holed up with my mother and Vincent working on the wedding plans, and I’d barely seen her since our family dinner party.
But I’d had much to do as well. I met with the board and stepped down as CEO, nominating my replacement.
I kept a seat on the board as the hospital had been practically built and funded by my family and I felt a need to continue representing not only the Vitales but the hospital staff and patients as well.
I agreed to a six-month leave of absence from my work as a surgeon to give me time to think through my options. Gaby had agreed to finish her degree when we returned from Italy, and I intended to make sure nothing stood in her way this time.
Romeo had been the one to suggest the leave. After thoroughly reminding me that charging into an active operation with more confidence than recent experience had nearly gotten me killed, he’d asked a far more difficult question—what did I actually want?
For the first time, I answered honestly.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to return to medicine in the same capacity.
Surgery had defined me for years, but that no longer meant it had to define the rest of my life.
I could step back, remain available when my skills were needed, and give myself time to decide what came next.
Romeo, surprisingly, didn’t push. He suggested I take Gabriella to Italy, disappear for a while, and make no decisions until I was certain. It was sound advice. I had always been a man who studied every angle before making a move, and lately life had given me very little opportunity to do that.
Then he offered something I hadn’t expected. He wanted me more involved in the family—not as muscle, but as a strategist. According to him, I saw patterns others missed, anticipated problems before they developed and knew exactly where to apply pressure to change an outcome.
For once, the idea of becoming more involved didn’t feel like surrendering one life for another. It felt like expanding the one I already had.
I left the meeting with a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years. The boundaries I’d drawn around myself since boyhood no longer seemed necessary, and for the first time, I could see a future that allowed me to be all of who I was.
It was all coming to a head with the wedding only hours away.
I waited on the tarmac for our private jet.
On board were Gaby’s two younger sisters and her parents.
Despite my earlier misgivings about Don Calabretta, once Romeo and Massimo had flown to Ontario to speak with him, I’d formed a much higher opinion of the man.
He’d known Dimitri Peskov was Gaby’s biological father, but he’d been completely unaware of Ivan Kiyanzev’s plans for her.
It wasn’t until Knyazev approached him with a marriage proposal—one his superiors in the ‘Ndragheta wouldn't allow him to refuse—that he realized Gaby had become a pawn in something far bigger. In the end, Rego had been as trapped by Knyazev’s scheme as the rest of us.
Romeo cleared the family to attend the wedding, but we kept it a secret from my wife-to-be as a wedding gift.
Now, the plane pulled into the hangar and the stairs descended.
Don Calabretta descended the steps with his wife and two daughters in tow.
Gaby was right, her sisters looked just like their father, but nothing like Gaby, who clearly took after her biological father.
Although I’d not met the man before he was taken out by Ivan, I had seen pictures of him.
“Mr. Calabretta.” I shook his hand.
“Rego, please, we are family now. Let’s act like it. This is my wife, Rosa, and my daughters, Antoinette and Maria.”
“He is dead?” his wife asked impassively. I saw past the ice she presented to a scared woman beneath the surface, one afraid enough of her former lover to flee her country and find an Italian man to marry when she was already pregnant.
“Yes, he is dead and so is the man that threatened your family.”
She smiled, her guard dropping a bit. “Thank you, Sir.”
I was surprised at her respectful gratitude and clearly, so was her husband, who looked at her with fresh eyes.
“Come, I’ll take you to see your sister.” I said, my gaze shifting to the two girls. They squealed in excitement and followed me to the waiting limo.
Vincent drove and another guard sat in the front. Just because our immediate enemies were down, didn’t mean there wasn’t a threat. When you were a Vitale, there was always a threat.
So here it was, my wedding day. Standing beside me at the altar was Vincenzo, Fausto, Massimo, Romeo, Tony and Gio. The wedding march began, and all eyes turned towards the entrance where, not that long ago, Vittoria had made her first appearance when she married my brother Romeo.
Gabriella stepped out from behind the pillar.
And greeted to a round of appreciative gasps and admiring murmurs from the guests.
I didn’t blame them, she was a cross between a movie star from the golden age of screen starlets and a glowing fairy goddess.
Her beautiful hair was loose, flowing down past her ass, with wildflowers pinned throughout.
Her white gown hugged her curves and showed off her generous bust. And even in her six-inch heels, she barely made it past her father’s shoulder as he escorted her down the red carpet.
He placed her dainty hand in mine and kissed her cheek before taking his seat next to his wife and daughters.
“You’re glowing, wife,” I murmured.
“I’m not your wife yet.”
“Well, when you are, I’ll make sure your fine ass glows as bright as your beautiful face.”
Her blush was enchanting, just like every other part of her.
“Promise?” she asked coquettishly, blinking her long lashes up at me.
“I do promise, for as long as we both shall live.” I leaned down and kissed her sweet lips, uttering one word. “Mine!”
The crowd laughed and cheered us and the father had to calm everyone down so we could exchange our vows.
“If you hurry, Father, I’ll throw in a handsome donation to your church.”
Five minutes later, the priest intoned, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
I scooped her into my arms and made for the back entrance that led past the kitchens to the rest of the house.
“Where are you going, brother?” Romeo shouted, barely containing his laughter. He knew exactly where I was going.
“Keep them happy, brother. I have to consummate our union right now!”
Mirth and merriment followed us out the door as I fled down the hall to our suite. In my arms, Gaby had never looked more radiant.
“Tano, what’s the rush?” she laughed. “We just had sex this morning.”
“I know, but not as man and wife and I need to mark you with my cum right now.”
I locked the door and placed her at the edge of the bed, shimming her tight dress up and over her hips.
“These sexy garters outline your heart-shaped ass perfectly. But these luscious globes are too pale for my liking.” It wasn’t true, I’d spanked her that morning, already marking her before the ceremony, but I couldn’t keep my hands off this woman.
Gaby arched into the smacks I landed on her upturned ass, widening her thighs to show off her soaking gusset. Not taking the time to remove them, I tugged them to the side and sank my cock into her waiting warmth.
Home. Her tight little cunt welcomed me, hot and slick around my cock as I drove into her with all the urgency I’d been holding back.
There was nothing slow or careful about it.
I needed her—needed the feel of my wife beneath me, needed the certainty that she was finally, irrevocably mine.
My release came hard and fast. I pulled out at the last second and sprayed my seed across her ass.
Breathing hard, I rubbed my come over her warm backside, possessiveness burning through me as I worked it into her skin. Then I tugged her wet panties back into place and smoothed her dress down over her hips.
“Now we can go to the reception,” I declared.
“But, Tano,” she tried to argue.
“No buts. Today you’re my wife, and I want you carrying a piece of me with you. Can you give me this?”
A smile lit up her face. “Of course I can, husband. Can I freshen up?”
“No, Gabriella, you are sheer perfection just as you are.”
She smoothed her dress and stepped into my embrace. “Thank you, Tano, for cracking open this stubborn heart and making me fall in love with you.”
“My pleasure, piccina. Now let’s go. We have food to eat, dancing to be done, and guests to wave goodbye to before we leave.”
“Leave? For where? You haven’t said a word about a honeymoon.”
“It’s a surprise, but don’t worry about a thing. It’s all taken care of.”
Her smile softened. “I know, Tano. I trust you.”
My heart swelled at those three little words that had changed my life and hers.
“I’ll make sure to never break that trust. You have my oath.”
She pulled my nape down and planted a soft kiss on my lips. “I know, and if you ever did, I’d make you regret it.” She winked.
That’s my girl. I followed my sassy wife out of the bedroom and stepped forward into a future I felt sure would be filled with everything I’d ever wanted.
Thanks, Papa. I silently said, closing the door behind me.
THE END