Epilogue
Isabelle
When Rian promised me that I could help with whatever plan he had, I didn’t expect him to follow through so soon after the ball. When I was in the middle of it, I realized that this is not for the faint hearted, and I don’t think I was ever made to be a mercenary. But this small mission, I can do.
I adjust my ponytail and blow out a breath, rubbing my small baby bump as I check the time again. After thirty more seconds of waiting I step out of the bathroom, seeking the dark hair of Gianna. Her face is tilted down as she glances at her watch, not noticing before she runs straight into me.
Letting out a dramatic gasp, I stumble into the wall and catch myself. Her eyes are wide as she moves to stand next to me.
“Oh my god. I’m so sorry, are you okay?”
I wave off her hands and stand straighter, my hand moving to cup my belly. Her attention falls there and the worry on her face turns panicked.
“I’m fine,” I assure her, reaching out to squeeze her elbow as I let go of the small tracker that falls into her open bag. “It was just a small bump. The little one gets more shaken up during my Zumba class.”
Gianna’s shoulders slump in relief, laughing slightly. “Thank god. I’m so sorry again, I should pay more attention.”
I move out of the way to the hallway that leads to the bathroom and give her a tight smile. “It’s okay. Have a good day.”
She nods before moving to the bathroom and my heart starts to finally slow. When she disappears through the door, I pull my hair down and make my way out of the small coffee shop. I grab the hat that I left on the table when I went to the restroom and tug it on my head to cover my face. It seems like the minutes stretch as I try to walk inconspicuously through the lobby, out the door, and to the car parked on the curb.
Climbing into the backseat, I glance at the blue eyes of my husband. The car pulls away, speeding deeper into the streets that we own.
He grabs my waist, pulling me closer and nearly onto his lap. “I didn’t like leaving you there on your own.”
I relax into his hold. “I didn’t like it either. I think I’d rather stay home and just have normal anxiety.”
He chuckles, kissing the top of my head before his hand moves to my stomach. “Thank god because I was ready to argue till I had to fuck you into submission.”
Biting my lip, my eyes flicker up to him. “I mean, I’m sure I can find something to argue about.”
“Fucking hell. Save it for when you’re alone,” Cillian groans from the front, tugging away his own disguise. Declan swore that he had control of the cameras, but Rian said it was better to be safe than sorry. Especially after discovering how complacent they’ve become to allow so much through the cracks.
I settle on his chest, laughing as Rian kicks at the back of the driver seat before he says, “Call Sebastian and give him the link to start tracking. We don’t know how soon she’ll discover it.”
Cillian mockingly salutes him before opening the glove box and tossing me a bag of snacks. I grab them eagerly, moaning at the first handful of M&Ms. “God, I can’t get enough of these. Why can’t I have healthy cravings like vegetables?”
“Ah, give my little nephew what he wants!”
I roll my eyes at Cillian and Rian puts a hand on my belly.
“How are you feeling?”
“Good. And it still may be a girl, even if the brotherhood has decided it will add another boy. Aisling needs a small partner in crime.”
My husband laughs, both of us shaking at the rumbling from his chest. “I love that you’ve already determined he will join the brotherhood.”
I pause. “They have a choice not to?” While I certainly hope Rian wouldn’t force them, I figure it will be their legacy. The more I get to know everyone, and some of their operations, the more I realize it's more diplomatic and less murderous assassins that Ricky made them out to be.
“Our children can live any life they wish.”
“You truly mean that? They can live normally with no pressure to join you? They will be your heirs.”
Rian shrugs. “They will never live normally as they will require guards at all times. But if they wish to be clean and operate within businesses that are completely legal, then I have a few choices for them.”
My heart is pounding away and tears blur my vision. I gulp in the air before turning to face him. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my family.”
He swallows, the bob of his throat giving away his emotions. “I know, baby.”
Then he looks down at me, a strange smile pressing on his lips.
“I have a surprise for you for being such a good girl.” Even with the tease, I can tell he’s nervous.
My hand rubs at my belly. “For me or the baby?”
Rian covers his hand over mine and presses a kiss to my head. “Both of you, but mostly just you, love.”
I frown. “Where are we going?”
* * *
By the time we get closer, I’m brimming with nerves. Cillian pulls off the freeway before our exit. I’ve taken the trip to Jersey enough times to know by now that we’re not going home. I glance around curiously when he parks the car in a semi-empty parking lot. There's a single white brick building with no signs on it.
“It kind of gives you’re going to kill me vibes,” I say as we exit the vehicle.
“Nah, this is way too public for my style,” Rian teases.
Cillian snorts, stretching out his arms above his head with a grin. “Mine too. No easy way to ensure blood doesn’t get left behind.”
I grimace. “Okay, psychos. Reel in the serial killer talk.”
Rian grabs my hand, entwines our fingers, and pulls me into his side. “Remember my promise to you?”
“Which one?” I whisper, inhaling the comforting scent of him. It’s something I’ve become addicted to since being pregnant, it oddly relaxes my nerves.
“The one you’ve fought me on our entire relationship.”
My heart kicks up, knowing he’s referring to the career I’ve always wanted. “Yes.”
He smirks, and a piercing whistle has me turning back to the building. My brother waves at me from the roof, leaning over the edge, and I realize he’s holding up a white sheet to cover up the sign above the shop’s windows.
“Oh my god. Rian…” I croak out, grabbing onto his hand.
Rian yells to let go of the sheet, and I’m in tears as it falls to the ground. Bella de Amore is lit up on the wall, the script a pretty, deep red. My husband kisses my temple. “Come look, love. I asked the top Italian chef in the state to stock it with everything you need.”
My parents are waiting for us at the door, and my sobs grow louder as my dad pulls me into his arms. “You did it, teresero.”
I wipe my tears and turn to face Rian. “This is ours?”
“Yours. I had to choose a name for the paperwork, but everything else is yours. However you want to design it, the marketing, your staff. I’ll be as hands on or off as you want.”
Emotion clogs my throat and I nod. “This is all I wanted…and it’s, uh?—”
“It’s clean, love. One of our companies silently invested and it’s a company we’ve always kept clean. There’s no reason for the feds to come poking around.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, an opportunity for our future children to separate themselves from that life if they wish. I’ve seen the devastation, even at the low level that my parents were at, with the many funerals we attended for soldiers. The wives and children left to be provided solely for the Famiglia to marry them off to other soldiers. Rian told me that most don’t stray from the close-knit community, primarily because of the culture and traditions, and less because of the loyalty to his family.
My mother hugs me next. “I just know you’re going to make this the best place on this side of Jersey.”
I’m pulled away from her next before I can respond and my brother wraps his arms around me. “It’s not exactly what we pictured, but it’s a restaurant nonetheless.”
I smile into his chest and hug him back. “It is. Are you going to pick an apron and help?”
He grimaces and lets go of me, scratching the back of his head. “Uhh.”
Rian snorts as he walks up next to me. “He’d rather get shot at again than do that. We’ll find a place for him.”
Ricky rolls his eyes and gives me a half shrug. “What can I say? This life is a little boring for me.”
Rian’s hand lowers to my belly. “Let’s take a look so you can get some ideas, then head home? Doc said you should stay off your feet a bit more to help the swelling go down.”
Gasping, I push away from him. “I told you don’t bring up my feet again or you’ll be forced to rub them.”
He raises an eyebrow in expectation. “I never protested it to begin with. I’ll rub whatever you want, love.”
Ricky gags. “Please, it’s bad enough I know you’re fucking with the evidence brewing. Please keep the talk to a minimum.”
My mother gasps and a string of Italian comes that has Ricky ducking as if she threw something.
I smile up at Rian, the overwhelming sense of love and family mirroring mine. Thank you I mouth as my mother continues to berate my brother.
Love you he mouths back and I bite my lip, wishing we were already heading home.
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