Chapter 4 – Twenty Years Later - Age 54
DOMINIC
“It’s a perfect day for a wedding. Wouldn’t you say, Mrs. Cavaleri?” I leave a kiss on the back of her head, being careful not to ruin her hair, which is still as long as I first remember it on our wedding day.
She was and still is the most breathtaking woman I have ever laid my eyes on.
“Can you believe it?” She adds another coat of red lipstick in front of the full-length mirror. “How is this even possible? How’s our baby old enough to get married?”
She puts the lipstick back in her sparkly black bag, matching the long black gown she’s wearing.
Frankie is in the room next door with his groomsmen, while Chiara and I decided to sneak away and give ourselves a few minutes alone.
It’s a damn big day for us too. The little boy we remember, who ran around the house with his brother and sister, pretending to be a monster, is now a twenty-four-year-old man who’s about to marry Savannah, a wonderful young woman he met in high school.
They began dating when they were seniors, and both ended up at the same college.
He's working as an architect, and definitely is smarter than his old man, while she’s going to become a vet. They couldn’t be more perfect for one another.
I’m immensely proud of all my kids. Each of them is different, and each one of them is special to Chiara and me.
Gianni, though . . . he can’t seem to get the whole relationship thing down. I say he just hasn’t found the right one. But when he does, I know he’ll love the hell out of her. Because under that tough exterior is a big heart.
I should know. I was a lot like him once upon a time.
For some of us, it just takes a little longer to find that special someone. My brothers and I are a good example of that.
Gianni decided to skip college. No matter how much his mother tried to talk him into it, he made up his mind. So instead, he’s been working for me since he was a senior, in the hopes of one day taking over as CEO of our company when I’m too old to do it myself.
Athena, on the other hand, is working toward becoming a lawyer.
I’m hoping I can convince her to work in-house for me and her uncles.
We’ll see, though. She’s like her mother.
When she wants something, no one can change her mind.
Some might call that stubborn. I, on the other hand, call it determination. And my girls, they’re that, all right.
Chiara straightens her dress, fixing the V-neck at the front and the thin straps sitting over her slender shoulders.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” I grip her hip with my hand, spinning her to me, and her chest lands hard against mine.
“You did.” She brushes her thumb over my lips. “So many times.”
I drag a long breath into my hollow lungs, my heart tightening as she bores those heavenly eyes into mine.
“You still manage to take my breath away,” I tell her, cupping her face and gently kissing her jaw.
“And you, my handsome husband, still make my heart skip a beat.”
“Aren’t we damn lucky?” I loop my arms around the small of her back while hers fall over my shoulders.
Together, we sway, even though there’s no melody to greet us. But with this love, there’s always music somewhere.
“Thank you,” I say, my palm clasping her nape, pulling her in for a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
“For what, baby?”
“For you,” I breathe. “For this life you’ve given me.
For the children we have. It’s all because of you.
” Emotions settle in the back of my throat, and I find the same in the glistening of her eyes.
“It’s all thanks to that little girl who decided to be my friend, even while everyone else turned away.
I owe everything to you, Chiara. You’re the love of my life. ”
Her full lips wind up in that sexy way. “I think you had something to do with it too.”
Goddamn, this woman is stunning.
“If you didn’t have that shit on your lips right now . . .” I clench my jaw as my cock stirs to life. “I’d kiss the hell out of you, baby.”
“Later, then?” She arches a single brow.
“Oh . . .” My hand slides down to her ass, squeezing it. “Definitely later, and a lot more than just that.”
Her chest rises in the way it does when she’s turned on.
There’s a soft knock on the door as we continue to stare at one another.
“Come in,” Chiara says as the door opens.
“Mom. Dad,” Athena says as her heels clack inside. “What are you guys doing in here?”
“Hiding away with your mother, of course.” I wink at Chiara before we both look at our beautiful daughter.
“Gross, Dad.” She rolls her eyes, fighting a grin, and I swear I see Chiara.
Chiara’s laughter fills the room as she turns to stand at my side, her arm wrapped around my lower back. “Would you prefer if I hated your father?”
“No.” Athena walks up to us, jutting her chin. “But I’d rather avoid you both when you get all lovey and disgusting.”
Her faint smile proves she’s lying. She likes seeing us happy.
“You know, sweetheart . . .” I say. “When you’re our age and have a good man by your side, you’ll remember us this way.”
She scoffs, planting a hand on her hip. “Men are idiots.”
She pauses, her eyes widening for only a second before she disappears behind her anger.
“Sorry, Dad,” she throws in when I pop my brows. “But it’s true. Most of them are assholes. I’m never getting married because men like you just don’t exist in my generation. I’m going to live alone and destroy every one of them in the courtroom.”
“Wow,” Chiara adds. “Seems like you have your whole life planned out.”
“Don’t look at me like that, Mom.” She flips a hand through her long, jet-black hair, her green eyes zapping to her mother.
“Like what?” Chiara shrugs. “I’m just looking in a normal way.”
Chiara’s body rolls with a small laugh.
“Ah, no. You’re looking at me in your ‘mom’ way. Like you think I’ll change my mind. I know exactly what you’re thinking. I absolutely will not change my mind.”
Chiara places a hand on her shoulder. “Oh, my sweet baby. I’m sorry he broke your heart.”
My daughter’s eyes drop to the floor as Chiara continues.
“I just think one heartbreak doesn’t mean you’ll never find the one. That’s all. Plus . . .” She lowers her hand. “Your father and I hated Tom anyway.”
“What?” She gapes at both of us, her mouth parted.
“It’s true.” I nod. “There was something about him. Never liked that idiot.”
“Why didn’t you two say something?”
“Because you seemed happy, and we didn’t exactly have a reason for our mistrust of him,” Chiara says. “We were hoping that if we were right, he’d eventually show his true colors.”
“Well, he definitely did when I caught him sleeping with my so-called best friend.”
“I can kill him,” I whisper. “The offer still stands.”
And she has no idea how serious I actually am.
“Tempting. But I’ll pass.” She huffs. “He’s not worth it. None of them are.”
I fucking swear I want to find that boy and rip his goddamn throat out for hurting my baby.
When I found out what he did, when Athena was sobbing in her mother’s arms, it took all three of my brothers to stop me from getting into my car and driving to that bastard’s apartment. I would’ve ended him.
Our kids don’t know anything about our past. My brothers and I have done a great job of keeping it secret, and we intend to keep it that way.
It’s been three months since Athena’s relationship with the asshole ended, and I know she’s still hurting, no matter how strong she pretends to be. She loved him, and he broke her trust.
A loud knock prompts us all to turn toward the adjoining door with the groomsmen on the other side of it. When the door opens, Dante is there, a glass of whiskey in his hand.
“It’s time, brother.” He grins at me. “A final toast with the boys before we watch your boy get married?”
I grab my wife’s hand, pulling it up to my mouth and leaving a kiss on the top of it. “Let’s go.”
She nods, the corner of her mouth curling up, and we all follow my brother out.
Chiara walks up to Frankie, clasping his face in her hands as she stares up at him. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Ma.” He circles his arms around her and hugs her tight.
Dante clasps me on the back. “I can’t believe he’s getting married.” He sighs deeply. “How the hell did we get old?”
“I don’t even know.”
“At least we’re young enough to still get boners,” Enzo adds, appearing beside Dante.
“Thank fuck for that.” Dante chuckles.
“What are we thankful for?” Matteo walks up to us, a beer in his hand, his past no longer etched on his features like it once was.
“That we can still get hard for our wives.”
His laugh is hearty as he shakes his head. “I’m just grateful I no longer have to take any of that advice from Enzo.”
Enzo snickers playfully. “I taught you everything you know.”
Frankie marches to us, playing with the cuffs of his suit jacket.
“Nervous, son?” I ask. “Because you don’t have to be. Not when she’s the right woman, and she is.”
“Thanks, Dad.” He inhales a quick breath. “I know she is.”
His smile is wide and true as he says that.
Gianni comes toward us. “You sure you wanna do this?” He smirks, slapping a palm on his brother’s back. “Because I’m tellin’ you, the single life . . .” He quirks a brow. “That’s where it’s at.”
I shoot him a glare, and he pushes his black hair out of his face.
“Sorry, Dad, but it’s true. I like doing whatever the hell I want with whoever I want.” His smirk deepens as he winks at an irritated Frankie.
“You know,” Enzo tells him. “I once thought the same, and then I met your aunt Jade. My life has only gotten better.”
Gianni merely waves a dismissive hand, but Enzo goes on anyway.
“When you love her, really love her, no other woman on earth will matter.” He pins him with a deep look that speaks to his devotion to his wife. “I hope you find her one day, Gianni, because she’s out there, waiting for you.”
That gets my son’s eyes to expand just a little.
“Look,” I say to Frankie. “Life isn’t without its problems. Everyone has them. It’s what you do with them that matters. So as long as you two are always on each other’s side, keeping the other together, you can make it through anything.”
“Yeah, listen to your dad,” Matteo says, swinging his arm around Frankie’s back. “But whatever you do . . .” His voice lowers. “ . . . don’t ever take any advice from your uncle Enzo.”
Laughter fills the room, and then it’s time, really time to watch my boy tie his life to another. I can’t wait for his life to truly begin.
Everyone exits toward the outdoor patio of the hotel we booked for the event.
In the faint distance, the sound of the string quartet starts to play.
Once we’re closer, my brothers go and take their seats, while the ma?tre d’ steps up to line us up out in the hall.
Chiara and I intend to walk our son down the aisle together.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen start heading out, and then it’s our turn.
Hooking our arms through Frankie’s, we give him a final look before the door pulls open.
As we proceed down the aisle with the eyes of all our friends and family on us, I’m reminded of the boy I once was, the hardship I’ve endured, never realizing what stood ahead for me.
For all of us.
Now that I know, I don’t regret a single thing that led me to this moment.