Epilogue
EMILIA
The house was buzzing with activity, and white roses covered most of the surfaces on the main floor.
I walked through the house, bouncing Dante, trying to get him back to sleep.
“Shh, baby, you need to sleep,” I whispered to my son.
“I have to get ready for Grandma and Grandpa’s wedding.
” What a time for him to be going through a sleep regression.
Thankfully, my hair was done and my makeup on, but I was wandering around in a robe.
“Let me take him, and you can finish getting ready.” Nico wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me back to him. Peering over my shoulder, he looked down at our wide-eyed son, grinning at his dad.
“Are you sure you want him right now?” Dante could be fussy, and I knew Nico could handle him with ease, but sometimes the only person that he wanted was me.
“Of course I do, give him to me.” He took our son out of my arms and shooed me up the stairs. Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled as I watched him wander with the baby. Was there anything sexier than a man being a dad? God, I wanted him right now.
“Stop ogling my brother, and get dressed,” Trixie said as she turned me away from the railing and into the spare room where Cecilia was getting dressed.
“There you are,” Letty said as she handed me the garment bag with my dress in it. “Go get ready, and I’ll zip you up.” She pointed to the bathroom, and of course, I listened. When she was working, you didn’t question her.
Cecelia, Trixie and I stood together in the room Nico and I shared.
“When I arrived here so many years ago, I stood in this room holding a gun, pointing it at my brother. A lot of things happened here over the years, but this moment with you both is a highlight.” Cecelia smiled and reached for our hands.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the women in this family.
My last name might be changing today, but I’ll always share it in my heart with you both.
” Her eyes were soft, and I wondered what feelings she was fighting today.
This house had played into who she’d become from the moment she set foot in it.
Sitting in the audience, I was thankful Nico was able to work his magic to get Dante asleep. The music changed, and I watched Trixie and Antonio walk down the aisle, arm in arm, then separate and stand on either side of the priest.
Lorenzo walked down next, and he looked so handsome in his tuxedo. He was a good-looking man, charming, and he loved my mother-in-law more than his own life.
With the wedding march playing, I turned and watched Cecilia and Nico descend the stairs and walk toward Lorenzo. She’d walked down the aisle alone for her first wedding, but now her gorgeous son was going to give her away.
Nico took his place beside me, and I put my hand on his leg. The warmth of his hand wrapped around mine made me think back to our wedding. His touch was the only thing that kept me focused that day, and he’d done it every day since.
My destiny had been changed in one instant when I thought I was hiding, but Nico saw through the facade and saw me. I’d found a family that loved me for me, and I was still able to scare a few people with my dona ways.
Nico let me be me, even if he still wasn’t overly happy about it.
Nico
Glancing up, I watched Trixie laugh and dance with Antonio. She caught my eye, and I made a motion toward the door. When the song ended, she excused herself and followed me up to my office.
“I hate to do this tonight, but I need you to do a job.” I sat behind my desk, and my sister took the chair across from me.
Grabbing the folder from my desk, I slid it across to her.
“I need you to find him. Ronan Doyle is the brother of the head of the Irish mafia, but he’s caused trouble for us in Italy.
I need him back here so we can deal with him. ”
“Who’s going with me?” She asked, flipping the pages of intel I’d found out about him.
“Nobody, you’re going to have to do this alone.” I leaned back in my chair. Trixie nodded and set the folder back on my desk.
“When do I leave?”
“A few days. I need to get the airline tickets and let the family know when you’ll be there.” A knock on the door made us both turn. Reaching for the folder, I tossed it back in my desk and closed the drawer just as the door opened.
“Here you two are. It’s time for the toasts.” Emilia smiled as she came to stand at my side.
“That’s what we were discussing,” Trixie said as she jumped up from her chair. “I’ll get Dante.” She said as she ran out of the room.
“Are you sure she should go alone?” Emilia asked. She didn’t miss anything, and when I’d asked her opinion on sending Trixie, she’d been in favour of it. I wrapped my arm around Emilia and pulled her onto my lap.
“I don’t love the idea of it, but she can move quicker if she doesn’t have anyone with her. As it is, I’m worried about raising red flags by sending her to Italy. We’ve generally kept our distance.” I nuzzled my face against her neck before a few well-placed kisses along her pulsing artery.
“Use Alessia and Gianna as her cover. She can go check in on them since I can’t get away.
” It was a good option, and one I’d mention to Trixie to use if she needed it.
Silence filled the space between us, and I let my hands roam her body.
Her beautiful breasts were swollen from feeding our son, and I’d keep her constantly pregnant if I could have them remain forever.
“We could sneak off to our room and let Trixie handle the toast.” I bunch the skirt of her dress in my hand and pull it up until I gain access to her warm centre. The crotch of her panties was wet, and I wonder if that is just from now or if she has been fighting the feeling all night.
“You don’t think that would be a little obvious?” Her light laughter made me smile. Pushing the thin strap of her dress off her shoulder, I kissed her collarbone. It was her weakness, of course, and I exploited that as often as possible.
“Of course, it would be, but how is Dante supposed to have a sibling if we go spend time with my family?” Slipping my hand up her stomach, I cupped her breast. With my other hand, I move her panties and slide two fingers into her.
“Well, you can’t knock me up if I already am.” She turned to look at me, and I froze as I processed the words she’d just said.
“You’re pregnant?” I whispered, and she nodded. Lowering my hands, I placed them gently on her stomach. “When?”
“I think it was when you got back from New York, but of course you can’t keep your hands off me, so it’s kind of hard to say.” She laughed and kissed me. When she broke our kiss, she smiled, “I love you Niccolò Venosa.”
“I love you.” Smiling, she stood as her skirt fell back down to the floor, and we exited my office. Music drifted from the ballroom, and we made our way down the stairs hand in hand. United in love, marriage, and business.