Epilogue
OPHELIA
The sun winks through the trees as we drive back to the city, and the silence deafening.
I sit in the car, Robert lying behind me across the backseats, in and out of consciousness.
I glance through the rearview mirror. My father is following us in the black sedan. Why did he never step out of the car and introduce himself?
While I was questioning things about myself, he was in Miami licking his wounds. Knowing my father is better than not knowing him at all, even if he was a murderer.
Salvatore still murders now, and I still love him. I find myself asking why sometimes, but love is a feeling you can’t control. The closer I get to Salvatore, the more I realize I don’t want to choose who I love. If my head was in control, I’d probably choose the wrong person to love.
I watch the car follow us, my chest tensing. I’ve been denied a life full of love, and all for what? Because my father could never face himself? Because Aunt Viv was too guilty?
“He was doing what he thought was best.”
“What?” I face Salvatore, staring at his sculptured side-profile, already getting distracted.
“Your father wanted to give you the best possible chance in life.”
“And going to sleep every night questioning why I was never enough excuses that?” I stare at Salvatore, waiting for him to give me some words of wisdom, but he acknowledges my comment with a simple nod. I continue. “He should have told me the truth.”
“We’re not good people, Phee.” Salvatore grinds his jaw, staring at the road ahead.
I glance at Robert in the back. His eyes are closed as he drifts in and out of consciousness.
“What happens to the rest of the Crows?”
“There are too many to take back to the city for now.”
“And what happens when they return? They pile into your penthouse and kill you in your sleep?”
“They’re complicated boys,” says Salvatore. “I’m hoping we got through to them, but it might take time.”
Salvatore merges onto the highway, the engine picking up. I keep a watchful eye on the side-view mirror, making sure my father is still following, worried he might turn off.
“Your father has a lot to work through. If I were in his shoes, I would have done the same thing and watched you from afar. It can be risky to reveal your identity, especially when you’re coming from a place of guilt.
” Salvatore flicks on the blinker, changing into the fast lane to pick up speed.
“When you love from afar, it means your love is strong…”
I narrow my eyes. “What does that mean? I’m still fired? David is dead,” I point out.
“Exactly. You’re safe.”
“Safe but pissed.” I flash Salvatore a sidelong glare. “After everything we’ve been through, you want to go back to being strangers. I don’t want that. I want to explore us.”
Salvatore glances at me for a brief second, his electric green eyes flashing in the morning sun. “I can’t be what you need, sweetheart.”
“You’re everything I need. Stop being a stoic ass. Don’t be another person who walks away from me out of guilt.”
Salvatore studies me intently, one eye on the traffic, the other veering over to me.
“You’re still afraid to let love in.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Love is simple. Humans make it complicated, with their ultra-high walls and their what ifs. It’s easier to protect yourself than to surrender and let love in.”
Salvatore clenches his jaw, looking ahead.
High-rises materialize, sunlight bouncing off the glass.
August is a month of transition, people preparing for the new season ahead.
I watch dark clouds move in the sky, surrendering to the sun. The temperature will be dropping soon, the nights drawing in. I don’t want to spend another winter alone in my apartment missing my mother, reminiscing on old memories. I want to create new ones.
And I have a chance to create something new.
I smooth a hand over my lower abdomen, my stomach lurching as I think about possibly being pregnant with Salvatore’s child.
How the fuck do I tell him?
“You feeling okay?” asks Salvatore, glancing at my stomach.
“Fine.” I remove my hand before he catches on. I need to confirm this pregnancy before I tell him.
Salvatore swings into the hospital parking lot, activating the parking brake. He shoots out of the car, popping open the back seat door.
While he deals with his cousin, I rush into the reception and ask the nurses to bring out a stretcher.
“What happened?” Sapphire searches my face, concern lined between her brow. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. You look like you’ve been—”
“I’m fine.”
Sapphire doesn’t look convinced, grabbing my wrists.
I wince, the pain still relatively fresh. She examines the redness around my wrists, searching my eyes.
I’m apparently a very open book.
“You were tied up.”
“Yes, and not in the good way.”
“Phee, this is serious.”
Wheels collide with the ground as the nurses bring in Robert.
We both glance at Robert, exchanging a look.
I pull her aside, away from the main walkway in reception. “David is dead,” I mutter under my breath. “He was the one rebuilding the Crows.”
“Salvatore killed him?”
“Actually, no.” I glance over my shoulder, my heart clenching as soon as I realize my father is nowhere to be found.
I rush out of the ER, back into the parking lot, searching for the car.
“Phee?” Sapphire rushes out after me, grabbing my shoulder. “You need to be checked over.”
“I told you I’m fine.”
“You were almost killed.”
“But I wasn’t.”
“Ophelia,” says a third voice, gentle and masculine.
I turn around, my heart tensing as I see my father. What the fuck am I meant to say? Aunt Viv made him disappear, but he never came back.
“Who is this?” asks Sapphire.
Good question. I’m not entirely sure myself. This person is a stranger. Generally speaking, daughters tend to know their fathers.
But life is too short to hold grudges. My mother’s death taught me that. Tomorrow is a mystery, and I know I’ll hate myself forever if I push away the wrong people.
“This,” I say, turning to face Sapphire, “is my father.”
Her entire face drops. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not. I have a lot to fill you in on.”
“And we have a lot of catching up to do,” says my father. “Like, for example, what you’re doing with Salvatore Moretti.”
“He’s my boss.”
“He’s a bit more than that.” Sapphire winks.
“Well, he saved your life, so I have a lot to thank him for.” My father steps closer, his familiar features glowing in the daylight. We have the same eye color. The same slanted nose. “You should pay your aunt a visit.”
“She stole my mom’s heart. And she died before she learned the truth.”
“Your aunt has a lot of groveling to do.”
“She can start by putting the crystals away. Those won’t make her feel better.”
“Everyone has insecurities, things they hate about themselves. I understand your aunt’s frustration, why she did what you did.
Her parents never believed in her, and that does something to a child.
” My father takes a beat, watching me. “Everyone has a hidden dark side, and a manipulator feeds off insecurities, using them as weapons. David and Renato both knew how to taunt, how to sell poison and make it taste sweet. Your aunt has made some mistakes, she should have told you sooner, but she is not the real enemy in all of this, I promise you.”
“She feels like it right now.”
“I understand,” says my father. “Forgiveness takes time. Take as long as you need. When you’re ready, give me a call,” he says. “I’ve spent too long hiding. I’m ready to meet my daughter and spend the rest of my life getting to know her, if she’ll let me.”
I feel a smile crawl onto my face. This man is a total stranger, and yet I feel like I know him. I look into his eyes and notice something familiar, like the puzzle pieces have joined. The missing pieces of myself were with him all along.
Salvatore steps out of reception, joining us in the parking lot. “Robert is stable.”
“Thank fuck.” At least we have one less problem to worry about. “What do we do about the Crows?”
“We’ll take care of it,” says Salvatore to Ben. “They have a voice, and we need to teach them how to use it. When David’s death hits the media, we need to be ready. And we can burn every last thing that bastard has built if we play this smart.”
“Then we better make tracks.”
“Yes,” says Salvatore, heading back to his vehicle. “But first I must make a pit stop at mine and change out of these clothes.” He lifts his suit jacket, exposing his bloody shirt. “These boys have seen enough blood for one day.”
“If you go back there, they could retaliate, killing you.”
Salvatore turns around to face me, a smile pulling at his lips.
“I’m Salvatore Moretti, mafia leader and CEO of a billionaire investment business.
As David said himself in front of his Crows—I’m all-powerful.
He wanted my empire and he failed. The boys would be a fool to mess with me when I have everything they need. And more.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Perhaps we can do some actual charity work on the side of our operations…” Salvatore lowers into his car, and like a puppy following its master, I hop right in.
My father takes note of this, studying us intently.
“Don’t worry, I intend to take great care of your daughter.” Salvatore puts on his aviator sunglasses, looking so unbelievably handsome. “We’ll swing by your motel in an hour… if you would be kind enough to tell me your address.”
“The Palace Hotel.”
Salvatore frowns, glancing at his choice of clothes. The understated bomber jacket and cargo pants makes it look like my father only has a few cents to his name.
“Call me when you’re outside.” He digs around in his pocket, pulling out a business card.
BEN HERSHAWW: Trauma Counsellor.
I run my finger over the card, analyzing the professionally made logo, the mobile number printed underneath.
I lace my hand with Salvatore’s, waving goodbye to my father, suddenly feeling confident about the future. Everything I need is right here in this city.
I smooth a hand over my lower abdomen, still yet to receive my period.
“I think I might be pregnant,” I blurt out before I can properly confirm. But what the hell? Why wait and keep secrets when all my best memories were shared with other people?
And I’m finally ready to start living again and open up my heart.
Salvatore slams his foot on the brake, bringing the car to a complete stop in the middle of the fucking street.
Cars blare behind us as he causes mayhem.
“Fuck, Salvatore.”
“Say that again.”
“I said fuck.”
“No, the other thing.”
“I might be pregnant. I mean, my period is a late and my body is like clockwork, every—”
He brings me in for a kiss while cars swerve around us, sounding their horns.
One particular gentleman has the nerve to get out of his car. He’s about to point fingers when he sees who is driving. The anger falls instantly from his face.
“Problem, sir?”
“No,” chokes the driver, already making tracks back to his vehicle. “No problem at all, sir.”
“You really do get away with murder,” I scoff as Salvatore twists the key in the ignition, restarting the engine.
“What can I say, sunshine?” he says, stepping on the gas. He launches the car through the lights before they turn amber. “I’ll do anything for my pretty little assistant.”
The End.
Dearest reader,
Every love story deserves one more kiss… so I wrote one more chapter just for you.
If you're anything like me, you're not ready to let go of Ophelia & Salvatore just yet. Click here to get your bonus epilogue and enjoy one more glimpse into their happily ever after.
P.S. Looking for your next binge read? I have a feeling you’ll love Claimed by the Silver Fox! Swipe to the next page for a little sneak peek…