9. Bruno
“It’s about time you pulled your head out of your ass and told her the truth,” Zeno says, handing me a shot of whiskey. “She’s a great girl. You’ve wasted enough time dicking around in Vegas. Fuck her dad. You’re Bruno Villani. Stand up to that guy and tell him how you feel about his daughter.”
I tip my head back and gulp down the shot. Twisting around, I catch a glimpse of Chloe across the room posing for pictures with Lily and her bridesmaids. She looks gorgeous. Her skin glows under the lights and she smiles like she’s just won the lottery.
I never want to be the reason why she cries ever again.
“I want what you guys have,” I say, turning back to the bar to hail over the bartender. He pours us another two shots. “Congratulations, bro. I’m really happy for you guys.”
“Thanks. And believe me, I know all about battling the badass mob boss dad to get what I want. He’ll want you dead for awhile, but you’ll eventually wear him down.” Zeno grins and gives me a punch to the shoulder.
“I’m used to dads who hate me. I’ve never been the kind of guy they wish for their daughters,” I chuckle. “And for the record, you and Lil make me want to say fuck it to all the things I thought I wanted. This weekend, I realized none of that shit matters to me anymore.” I hand a shot to Zeno and we clink glasses. My eyes flicker back to Chloe.
“Don’t let her go again, B. She’s held a torch for you all this time. And you’ve never gotten over her. What the hell does that tell you?”
I suck back the shot and slam the glass on the bar. “It tells me?—”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I grab it and roll my eyes at the screen.
With a quick look at my phone, Zeno snickers. “Yeah, good luck with that. I’ll catch you inside.”
I nod and stab the Accept screen. “Hey, Pop.”
“Bruno, I just spoke to a building contractor. We’re going to partner with the families in the Red Ladro syndicate to construct a new casino in Monaco and I want you to head up security.”
My gut clenches. “You just put me in charge of Paradiso in Vegas. You want me to relocate to Monaco now?”
“I will have one of your brothers take over security for that resort. I need you in Monaco. You’re the best at your job and I want my strongest people on location.” My father goes on about the timeline for construction, the competition, and a whole lot of other crap I tune out as I track Chloe sailing through the crowd toward me.
My breath hitches, a whiff of her perfume teasing my nostrils. She softly grazes my arm.
“I love you,” she mouths, giving my arm a squeeze.
“Yeah, uh, Pop? I gotta stop you right there.”
“I know you have questions, and I’ll be sending you an airline ticket tomorrow. We need to get to Monaco as soon as possible to discuss details of the?—”
“No, I don’t have questions,” I interrupt. “I have news.”
With my one free hand, I drag my fingertips down the side of Chloe’s face. Her eyes glitter with excitement and anticipation, the exact emotions channeling through me right now.
“What news?”
My lips curl upward. “I can’t go to Monaco. I’m getting married.”
“What are you talking about? Who are you marrying?” he demands.
“A gorgeous girl named Chloe. So you’re gonna have to let one of the other guys take the new casino. I’m staying in Vegas.”
Chloe’s jaw drops, champagne spilling from her glass as her arm goes slack against her side. “What the hell?” she whispers.
“You can’t turn this opportunity away. I won’t allow it. You’re my son and I refuse to let you throw your life away like this.”
“I’m not throwing my life away.” I loop my arm around Chloe’s waist and pull her close. “I’m taking it back.”
“Bruno, this is non-negotiable. You will not turn this down. I need you and demand that you accept this offer.”
Chloe shakes her head, obviously still in shock.
Hell, so am I. But it feels right. For once in my life, something feels right and perfect. And I want that to be my future.
“Sorry, Pop. I gotta go now. Time for the best man toast. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I click off the phone. I’m definitely gonna pay for that next time I speak to him but right now, I don’t give a damn about anything but Chloe.
“Did you just…you told your dad you’re getting married? To me ?” Her eyes pop open wide, her voice disbelieving. “Are you nuts? Or just drunk?”
“He wants me to run security for a new place in Monaco.”
“So you told him you’re marrying me to get out of it?” Chloe’s eyes narrow. “I’m not going to be your excuse for not leaving Vegas.”
“You’re not my excuse. You’re my reason.” I drop to my knee, take her hands in mine, and squeeze. “I know it seems crazy. And sudden. But I lost you once and I won’t do it again. We just fit, exactly like you said. I want you…to protect, to love, to punish when you’re being bad.”
She giggles. “You’re so twisted.”
“Yeah. You do that to me, and you love it.” I brush her hand against my lips. “So will you marry me? Let me show you just how twisted I can get?”
“This is absolutely insane,” she murmurs. “What about my parents? They’ll freak out when they find out.”
“Yeah, but what do you want? I may never be good enough for them, but I’ll give you everything, Chloe. Anything to keep you smiling like you are right now.” I clutch her hands tight. “What do you think? Am I what you want? Because I sure as hell want you.”
Her eyes glitter with excitement and nervousness. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“Believe it, babe. Give me a chance to make our lives like the couples in those smutty romance novels you love so much. Spoiler alert, there won’t be any suspense in ours. I won’t waste a single second getting you naked. Ever.”
“You’re insane. Truly insane, do you know that?”
“I know you’re the one for me. And I want you with me, forever. I lost you once. I won’t lose you again.”
She lowers herself to her knees and clasps the sides of my face. “I want to be with you forever. So, yes, Bruno. I will marry you. And I have an idea. Let’s go find a hot tub and consummate our engagement. I want to write our own smutty romance novel and this is the perfect beginning.”
Thank you so much for reading!