Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Gianna
The moment I get the word that Will is out of surgery and alive, I rush to his bedside. He’s still asleep when I see him so I sit down beside his bed and hold his hand. I want him to know I’m right here when he wakes up.
Enzo waits in the room with me. Neither one of us says anything. There’s too much uncertainty in the air.
It begins to feel awkward when someone else bursts into the room. Our aunt.
“Francesca?” I ask. “How did you know we were here?”
“I told her,” Enzo explains. “She had the right to know you were ok. I explained everything to her over the phone. That Will saved both of our lives.”
“I… might have been wrong,” she admits, wringing her hands together. “About Nico. And Will. I didn’t realize.”
“No, you didn’t,” I respond in a hard voice. “You thought Nico was the best for me without realizing what I wanted. You never put what was best for me first.”
“You told me you used to make yourself throw up because of me.”
“What?” Enzo asks, clearly shocked.
“I did,” I answer honestly. “Because you would control my every move. Every day. I had to find control of my own. But ever since I was kidnapped… I haven’t thrown up.
And when Will and I formed a connection, I realized I didn’t want to throw up anymore.
I just wanted my own freedom to make my own choices. That’s it.”
“And you want to be with him?” she asks, trying not to sneer. I can tell it’s hard for my aunt.
“I love him. And he’s shown that he will risk his own life to save me. That’s the kind of man I want. Not one who will control my every action. So when he wakes up, I’ll ask him if he wants to marry me. I know it’s the only way we can be together. He needs to form an alliance with Enzo.”
“And if he says no?”
“Then…” I sigh. “Then I’ll be heartbroken but I can’t force him to be with me.
I can’t ask to have my own freedom and take away someone else’s.
If he chooses to be with me, then I’ll be happy.
If not, then I’ll be sad but I’ll heal. I know I will.
And I will not be forced to marry someone else. I will not.”
“I agree,” Enzo says. “I won’t force you to marry anyone, Gianna. I promise.”
“Francesca?” I ask.
She stares down at the floor for a long moment before she sighs. “I never realized you were hurting so much because of me.”
“I just need to be my own person and you need to accept it. If you can’t… then you can’t be in my life.” It’s the first time I’ve ever been this bold with my aunt. I can see the surprise on her face but also the resignation.
“Enzo told me how Will saved you on multiple occasions. If he’s what you want… then… I approve. I may not like it but I want you to be with someone who will protect you. And I want to be in your life. You’re my niece. I raised you. You’re more like my daughter.”
I walk over to her and pull her in for a hug. “I want you in my life too. As long as you stop trying to control me. That’s all I ask.”
“I’ll try. I didn’t even realize I was doing it to begin with.”
I know it’s going to be a long and hard process with Francesca. I’m sure she’s going to try and control me many more times after today but as long as I have my freedom, I’ll be able to handle it.
A low groan comes from the bed. Whirling around, I see that Will has woken up.
“Will,” I gasp, rushing to his side. “You’re alive. You’re ok.”
“Gianna?” His eyes are wide as he stares up at me with wonder. “You’re alive.”
“You threw yourself in front of Nico’s bullet for me and my brother. Why did you do that?”
“Because… because I couldn’t lose you. And I couldn’t let your brother die. I knew it would hurt you too much.”
A sob escapes me as I burrow my face into his neck. Will wraps his hand around the back of my head, holding me close.
“I know you just woke up,” Enzo says. “But we need to talk.”
Will stiffens. “About what?”
“You saved my sister’s life. You saved my life.
I’m grateful for that. I see I was wrong about you.
My sister loves you. She has made that clear.
But if you’re just using her for fun, then I’ll get rid of you so fast you won’t be able to even blink.
You need to marry her. For peace. For an alliance.
It’s the only way you’ll get to be together. ”
“Enzo,” I scold. “Let me explain it to him.”
“There’s no need,” Will rushes to say. “You need me to marry Gianna so we can be together? I will do it.”
I gasp. “Will? I don’t want you to say yes if you don’t mean it.”
His eyes soften as he cups my face. “Gianna, I didn’t get to say it before but I need you to know. I love you.” My tears stream onto his fingers. “If marrying you is what it takes to keep you in my life, I will gladly do it. Marriage doesn’t scare me.”
“It doesn’t?”
“No. Not at all. Being with you doesn’t scare me. You’ve changed me. But it was for the better. I wasn’t happy in my life but you’ve shown me I can have more. I want more. I want to be with you.”
“I never thought I would find love with a hitman,” I gasp out with a laugh.
“And I never thought I would find love with a woman I kidnapped. It’s a crazy story. And I’m sorry I put you through any of it.”
“I’m not. It changed my life for the better. It gave me you. I want to experience freedom with you.”
“Then let’s get married,” he says. “I just want you in my life. That’s all.”
“You’ll work for me,” Enzo says.
“Not as a hitman,” Will responds. “I’m done being that. I’m done being a plaything for mafia men.”
Enzo nods. “Fair enough. Since you’ll be married to my sister, you’ll be my right-hand man. I’ll expect a lot from you but I won’t ask you to kill anyone. You’ve earned your place at my side. The way you’ve saved my sister… I never expected anyone to be that selfless.”
“She’s worth it to me.”
“I can see that.” Enzo offers me a small smile and a pat on the arm. “I’ll give you two a moment.”
“Enzo, wait,” I say. “What about Marco? He’s still out there. We don’t know what happened to him.”
“Between me and Will, we’ll keep you safe. Marco will make his presence known at some point. Until then, we’ll be ready and prepared. And as for Nico, I made sure to tell a member of the hospital staff who shot off that gun. The police have already arrested him.”
“Aren’t you worried about getting the police involved?”
“I’m Enzo Bianchi. I’ve dealt with a lot of shit in my life.
This is one more thing I’ll deal with. You don’t need to worry, Gianna.
I’ve got this. I just want you to be happy.
” His eyes flick over to Will. “So keep my sister happy.” He motions Francesca to follow him out of the room, leaving me and Will alone.
“So, we’re going to be married,” I say, my heart beating fast.
“I want this, Gianna. I don’t want you to think I don’t. There’s no one else I want in this world. Trust me. You came into my life when I wasn’t expecting it. I never knew I could feel these things again. But I want to make you proud. I want to make my mom proud.”
“I’m sure she is. You fought for me like no one ever has before. I really do love you, Will.”
“I love you too, baby. I’m never letting you go.”
I give him a tender, gentle kiss. “And I’m never letting you go either.”
A few months go by to allow Will time to heal from his gunshot wound to the stomach. It hit him a lot harder than his arm and shoulder wounds did. In that time, we spend every day together, living in Enzo’s house for both of our safety while Will recovers.
We talk for hours, learning everything there is to know about each other. I never knew I could love this man more but I do.
When Will is fully healed, it’s time for our wedding.
I’m standing before the full length mirror in my bedroom in the wedding dress I chose for myself. No one else’s.
Kira, Enzo’s wife, joins me in the room. “Are you ready for this?”
“I am. I’ve never been more ready for anything in my entire life.”
She offers me a kind smile. “I’m so happy for you, Gianna. I know you didn’t have it easy. But I’m glad you finally found your place in this world.”
At Will’s side. Nothing could be sweeter.
Kira takes my hand and we walk down stairs together.
The wedding is being held in Enzo’s backyard.
For safety reasons as well as I just wanted my wedding somewhere in a comforting place with family.
It’s a small wedding. Just a handful of guests.
But I didn’t want a splashy large wedding where I felt on display. I just wanted to feel happy.
Enzo approaches us, giving Kira a warm smile before turning to me. “Are you ready?”
“I am,” I say without hesitation. Unlike when I agreed to marry Nico, this time I am one hundred percent on board to marry Will. There’s no doubt in my mind.
Enzo takes my arm while Kira gives me a smile and heads out the back door to join the other guests.
“I can’t believe I’m letting you go,” he says. “I’ve protected you all my life and now it’s not going to be me anymore.”
“Will has done a great job of protecting me so far. He’ll continue to do so.”
“I believe it. Are you happy?”
“I’m so happy.”
“Then that’s all that matters. Let’s do this.
” He pushes the back door open and we step into the garden.
The tile-lined path leads to a simple archway where Will waits for me.
Chairs decorate each side of the aisle with Kira and my aunt in attendance.
A few of Enzo’s co-workers are here. Will said he didn’t have anyone to invite.
His mom is gone and he didn’t really have any friends.
Well, I can be his new family. I’ll make him proud like he’s made me proud.
My hold on Enzo’s arm is relaxed. No nerves fill me. I’m too happy right now to worry about anything else.
We reach the end of the aisle and Enzo places my hand into Will’s, right where it belongs.
The officiant begins the wedding. “We are gathered here today…”
I focus only on Will’s face and my love for him. His eyes are soft and light. The pure happiness on his face only fills me with more love.
“Do you, Gianna Bianchi, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” I say, my voice sounding clear and full.
“And do you, Will Taylor, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.” There’s no hesitation in his voice. Will wants this as much as I do.
“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Will pulls me into his arms and places a long, lingering kiss onto my lips. It’s perfection.
“You are my wife,” he murmurs.
“And you’re my husband. I love you so much.” Never have I meant anything so true.
“I love you.” The pure happiness in his voice makes me smile.
“Then let’s be happy together.”
He takes my hand in his and we walk down the aisle to the cheers of our guests. I know in this moment that I have found the freedom I’ve always been looking for.
I just found it in the most unlikely of places: with a hitman.
But nothing has ever been more perfect for me.
The End
Read Marco and Ciara star in the fifth book, Predator, HERE!