Epilogue
(Danica)
Dante is up to something strange.
And I have no idea what it is.
"Keep them closed, birthday girl,” my husband instructs, his hands covering my eyes. His chest is warm against my back as he guides me through familiar hallways made strange by darkness.
“What’s got you so excited? You're worse than Biscotti on treat day," I tease, but my heart flutters with anticipation.
Dante, usually so controlled, practically vibrates with excitement.
He wouldn't even let me finish my coffee this morning, hovering and fidgeting until I gave up and followed him downstairs in only my silk robe.
The curiosity is driving me mad!
Usually, my husband was the one getting led around with his eyes closed, not me.
What’s he planning?
There is still loads of time until our dinner reservations at the super fancy restaurant he booked for us.
I had every intention of sleeping late, but my darling sub had other plans, snuggling me awake until I playfully spanked his ass and threatened him with a real punishment.
But Dante was in such a good mood, giddy almost, and wouldn’t take no for an answer, dragging me from bed despite my resistance.
My first present of the day was a mind-blowing orgasm, courtesy of Don Fera’s well-trained lips as he licked my pussy awake before my mind even caught up. Not a bad birthday tradition at all.
But that was but the start, he told me before covering my eyes.
As we walk, his hands tremble slightly against my face—my fierce Don, nervous about a birthday surprise. He’s not the only one. Twenty-eight today, and somehow, he still finds ways to make my pulse race like a teenager's.
We stop, and I hear a door open.
"Okay," Dante's voice is soft in my ear. "Open them."
Finally.
Light floods my vision and..."Oh, my god."
We’re by the library.
But this is not the dusty old library that used to be down here.
Not at all!
The transformation steals my breath.
Warm wood paneling has replaced the cold walls, but it's the books—oh, the books. Hundreds of them, their spines gleaming like jewels in the morning sun. I step forward
"Is that...?" I pull out a volume with shaking hands. The complete collection of my favorite romantasy series, special editions with foiled covers I didn't even know existed. "How did you...?"
"Adira helped," Dante admits, watching me with those intense emerald eyes. "I wanted you to have a real sanctuary. Somewhere to write, to work, to just...be."
I notice the desk then, solid oak positioned to catch perfect reading light from the window. The chair behind it isn't just furniture—it's a throne. My throne.
Beyond that, plush leather couches nestle in a corner that begs for rainy-day reading sessions.
"It's like the Beauty and the Beast library," I whisper, hugging a book to my chest.
Dante's brow furrows adorably. "Is that good?"
A laugh bubbles up from somewhere deep inside me—pure joy breaking free.
I launch myself into his arms, peppering his face with kisses. "It's perfect. It's beyond perfect. It's..."
I stop, seeing something in his eyes. "What aren't you telling me?"
“Watch this…” Dante snaps his fingers, and the music comes on, floating in from speakers hidden behind shelves. “I had the room soundproofed. So you can listen to all those shitty pop songs of yours as loud as you want.”
“They’re not shitty, but also, oh my god!” I twirl around like I’m in a movie, trying to figure out how one accepts the most incredible gift in the world.
“Yeah, you can control everything from an app on your phone—the music, the lighting, the temperature, oh, and this…” He presses a button on his phone, and an electric fireplace springs to action beside the couches, instantly warming the room. It looks like real logs almost, cozy, perfect.
“This is like a…a Queen cave!” I plonk down on the couch, testing its bounciness or whatever the correct fancy word is.
Dante laughs. “For you, only the best. The staff has been instructed only to come when you press the button to call for them.”
“You know you’ll never see me. I’ll just be hiding out here.”
“I’m not worried.” He grins. “You’ll get horny eventually.”
We both laugh. “That’s true.”
“Speaking of, I think it’s time for your next service. It is your birthday, after all.” Dante kneels before me on the plush carpet, a genuine shag rag, as Sasha would call it.
Without hesitation, I drop my bathrobe, enjoying the warm glow of the fireplace on my skin. “I won’t say no to that.”
Dante crawls toward me as I open my thighs…
***
We get so distracted rolling around on all the upgraded surfaces that we’re almost late for our own reservation.
I lose count of the number of orgasms Dante gifts me.
Oh god, how lucky am I?
I’m not too phased about the dinner reservation. We can just stay home, I tell him, but Dante insists on ushering me through the shower.
"We'll be late," my husband says again, hovering as I finish my makeup. His reflection in the mirror shows barely contained excitement. Why is he so nervous?
I smooth down the blood-red satin gown he had made for me, admiring how it catches light like liquid garnets. Such a far cry from the baggy clothes I used to hide in.
"Since when do you care about restaurant reservations?" I tease, but he's already reaching for my hand, pulling me toward the foyer with unusual urgency.
"Dante, what—" I don’t get to finish my question.
"SURPRISE!"
The word slams into me like a wrecking ball, stopping me dead in the doorway.
For a moment, I can't process what I'm seeing—faces I love, all here, all smiling, champagne glasses raised in greeting.
The foyer has been transformed with twinkling lights and flowers, making our home feel like something from a fairy tale.
"Happy birthday, cara mia!" Alessio breaks from the crowd first, resplendent in a charcoal suit that’s perfectly tailored to his body.
He sweeps me into one of his theatrical kisses, dipping me back until I laugh against his lips. The familiar scent of his cologne—sandalwood and Vegas nights—wraps around me like a hug.
"You said you were in Vegas!" I accuse when he sets me right, gripping his crisp shirt as he twirls me. "That you couldn't miss your board meeting!"
"Blame your husband." His eyes dance with mischief. "I'm just a humble accomplice."
"Humble?" Dante snorts, his hand finding the small of my back, grounding me.
Adira appears like a vision in lilac, champagne in hand. She pulls me into an embrace that smells of peaches and sin, her curves soft against my new dress. Rani's elegant frame completes our sandwich, her whispered "Happy birthday, love," tickling my ear.
The Sinful Moon girls descend in a wave of glitter and laughter—Sasha leading the charge in a gold dress that catches every light. Even Mary, the British dancer we saved, is here—safe, whole, thriving. No more disappearing dancers. No more broken promises.
"Missus Fera." Emilio's formal nod carries decades of protection and care. He looks distinguished as ever in his dark suit, those shoes he shines until they reflect the sun.
Then—a surprise that steals my breath. Luca, looking healthier than I've ever seen him, steps forward. "Hey, sis." His kiss on my cheek is respectful, careful—so different from the chaotic vibe he used to give.
Dante's arms slide around my waist from behind, and I lean back into his solid warmth. "Best birthday ever," I whisper, emotion making my voice thick.
For so long, birthdays meant empty rooms and echoing silence. Meant my brothers' cruel laughter and my parents' indifference. Meant being reminded I wasn't worth celebrating.
Now...
Now, I'm surrounded by love that chose me.
"This is just the beginning, Tesoro," Dante murmurs against my hair as I try to take it all in.
"More surprises? It's been a whole day of them!"
"A Queen deserves everything."
I turn in his arms, finding his lips with mine. Around us, our chosen family chatters and laughs, filling our home with the kind of joy I never thought I'd have. The kind that makes you believe in second chances. In healing. In love that rewrites all the rules.
My birthday wish has already come true.
What we've built here—this family of misfits and criminals and dancers—is better than any gift in the entire world.
Dante holds me closer, and in his arms, in this room full of people who chose to love me, I know one thing for sure: I'll never feel alone again.
This is what having a real home feels like.
And there is nowhere I’d rather be.
Happy birthday to me.