Epilogue Elena
One Year Later
My eyes flutter open as I snuggle deeper into the familiar arms around my waist. His breath is deep but steady against my neck, so I know he’s still asleep. And for a moment, I let myself float here. In this moment of calm, where it feels like nothing can ever go wrong.
A wave of memories crashes down on me, and each one brings a better feeling than the last. One year later, and I still wake up with joy and appreciation for how far we’ve come.
I asked Bella about a recommendation for a therapist who could help both Adriano and me work through our issues. She put us in touch with a really great psychologist she trusted.
I was honestly relieved when Adriano agreed to go with me.
Talking through the trauma each of us has gone through wasn’t easy, but it kept us from staying stuck in the past and helped us finally move forward.
I can see the biggest difference in Adriano—he’s genuinely found peace, and it’s completely changed him.
I shut my eyes, a smile curving my lips as I revel in this feeling, when he stirs behind me. It’s his usual gentle, unhurried movement, but my reaction to it stays the same.
My heart flutters, and anticipation coils in my belly when he slowly unfurls his hand around me, trailing the rough pads of his fingers down my thighs.
A part of me wants to open my eyes and skip the tease, but I remain still, pretending like I’m still asleep. He shifts behind me, then slowly hikes my satin pink nightgown up until my bare skin is exposed.
It isn’t a surprise that I’m smiling like a teenager about to have sex with her crush. Being married to an intentional man means waking up like this—desired, cherished… loved… every single day. And honestly, I’d have it no other way.
Something between a sigh and a chuckle fills the room as he shifts down my body, positioning himself between my thighs.
The moment his lips touch me, I can’t hold back anymore. I release a slow moan, and instinctively spread my thighs wider. Releasing a low rumble, he wraps his hands around my mid-thighs, kissing my now-wet folds before whispering lightly.
“Good morning.” His voice is rough and groggy, and that alone almost drives me to a climax. Fuck.
Before I can respond, he dives in, sucking ferociously, his lips closed around my clit, driving me crazy. The satin sheets crumple beneath my fingers as I squeeze for dear life, biting back the moan in my throat. As if he senses it, he inserts two fingers inside me, eliciting a gasp from my lips.
“A-Adriano,” I moan, clenching my thighs, but he holds them apart, growling against my skin.
“Tell me. What do you want?” he rasps, his fingers moving even faster. Pressure builds in my core, and I feel myself getting even wetter for him.
“I-I…”
Releasing another growl, he slaps my inner thigh.
“Say what you want, Principessa.”
My brain is hazy, and I can barely make out his words as he inserts another finger.
“I want to cum!”
Just as I scream the words, the baby monitor beside the bed beeps, and we both halt, breathing laboriously.
Our eyes connect, and Adriano exhales a curse under his breath before lifting himself away.
“I’ll go,” is all he says as he grabs a pair of grey slacks before rushing out of the room.
I should be frustrated, but a low chuckle escapes my lips as I throw my head back into the pillow. Maybe it’s the fact that he once called our sweet little angel a cock blocker, or that I’m slowly realizing that she might actually be one.
After a few seconds of putting myself together, I slip on my robe and exit the room to Lucia’s.
By the time I get to the room, Adriano is already holding our daughter against his chest, singing Lucia’s signature lullaby with a voice that doesn’t sound too good.
If anyone had told me back then—when he was behaving like a cold, ruthless monster—that he would one day stand in a nursery singing a lullaby to our daughter, I would have laughed it off as a ridiculous joke.
But here we are, and after everything we’ve survived, that heartless man who once built walls to lock out the world has become the most fiercely protective, caring father I could ever dream of.
That’s why we named her Lucia. It means bearer of light. We chose it because she was conceived in the absolute darkest moments of our lives—when her father was blinded by bloodlust and I was trapped in the crossfire. She ushered us into a new, peaceful beginning.
My heart does its familiar squeeze—the one that hasn’t faded since Adriano and I started this beautiful family. The one that makes me feel like every day is a gift that I never want to take for granted.
“Mama!” Lucia squeals when she sees me. I smile gently, throwing her a little wave.
“Hi, angel.”
She squeals even louder, clapping as she shows her gummy teeth. Slowly, Adriano lets her down and nudges her gently to walk toward me.
About a month ago, Lucia took her first steps. We were in the living room, having family time, when she stood up, grabbed the edge of the couch, and took a small step.
A small smile tilts my lips as she wobbles on her feet once before resuming her unsteady walk toward me.
The familiar scorching feeling along my skin pulls me out of my thoughts. And when I glance his way, I see Adriano staring at me hungrily.
His hands are in his pockets and I can still spot a half-boner in his pants as he teasingly flexes his pectoral muscles. The unspoken promise in his look sends a fresh wave of heat through me. Oh, I can’t wait to bounce on that dick and break that ego.
My chuckle resounds in the room as I lean against the threshold, dragging my eyes from his smug face to his chest. There’s another tattoo just beside the one of my face that he got a few months ago. It’s one of Lucia’s smiley face.
“Mama!” Lucia finally reaches my legs, wrapping her arms around my knee as I scoop her up.
“Did you have a good sleep, baby?” I coo into her soft curls, the clean scent of baby shampoo tickling my nostrils.
My smile widens as she giggles, placing both little hands on either side of my face. I melt into her touch, placing my hand over hers.
Sometimes it still feels surreal… that I get to be a mother to this beautiful bundle of joy, and a wife to Manhattan’s fast-rising mafia don. I’m no longer a prisoner in my own life… and that’s a big leap considering all the hurdles I had to jump.
“Enzo’s expecting us for lunch,” Adriano interrupts my thoughts, walking across the room to us.
Right, the lunch. I couldn’t forget that even if I tried.
“Of course. We have exactly…” I trail, glancing at the clock on the wall. “Four hours to get ready.”
Enzo has taken to being a grandpa with such intense enthusiasm that it brings a lump to my throat.
He always wants Lucia around and sometimes would joke about retiring, just so he could spend more time with her.
He doesn’t say it, but I can see that she heals him in places he doesn’t even know he’s wounded.
It’s evident in the way his eyes light up when he looks at Lucia. Sometimes it brings me to tears that a man like him had to go through the pain of losing his wife and daughter. But it’s also an honor to allow him the opportunity of living vicariously through me.
“We can do a lot within four hours. Don’t you think, Principessa?” My husband’s voice is something between a rasp and a growl.
I shake my head and laugh. Lucia laughs, too, as if she understands what we’re talking about.
“Definitely,” I smirk at him, balancing our daughter on my hips. “You can finalize that contract you talked about, and I can focus on launching my new line of brushes.”
He groans. “You know damn well that’s not what I’m talking about, Elena.”
Shit. The way he says my name…
“So what are you talking about then, Adriano?” My voice is a drawl as I eye him sultrily.
In a split second, he closes the distance between us, his face falling into the crook of my neck.
“Leave Lucia with Kristina and let me show you exactly what I’m talking about.”
A hand slides down to grab my ass cheeks before he runs his nose along the length of my neck. And of course, my pussy grows wet again at his touch, my throat running dry as he releases low, rough groans.
I know I should pull back—this is inappropriate, in front of Lucia, but I can’t help myself. I never can.
Suddenly, Puddles runs into the room, barking and whimpering in joy. Lucia immediately squeals, my grip almost growing slack as she struggles to yank herself free. A typical reaction to seeing Puddles.
I gently lower her to the ground and watch as she wobbles toward Puddles, who meets her halfway. With her tail wagging furiously, Puddles sniffs and then licks the side of Lucia’s face, making her dissolve into non-stop laughter.
Adriano tightens his arms around my waist as we both watch them play. I can tell they’ll be best friends.
“They’re going to be inseparable,” he murmurs into my hair.
Speaking of friends…
“How’s the deal with Enzo going?” My voice is soft as I peer at him.
They aren’t exactly friends, but are on much better terms than they were before the wedding ceremony. Safe to say they finally found a common ground for compromise—their love for me.
“Smooth,” Adriano says, a note of reluctant respect in his voice. “We’re finalizing the shipping route partnership through the renovated Rossi docks. Francesco says he foresees a 30% increase in efficiency once our logistics are fully integrated. Enzo’s men are… competent. I’ll give him that.”
I nod mindlessly. That’s as close to a compliment as he’d give Enzo.
Enzo has managed to rebuild the Rossi Mafia to a commendable level in less than one and a half years.
And Adriano’s mafia keeps growing with new partners, techniques, and manpower.
So they’d both agreed to merge alliances once in a while, whenever necessary.
Adriano’s thumb begins to rub circles on my back just as my phone buzzes. My heart leaps when I see a message from Annora.
ANNORA: Another day, another audit. Miss you, boss lady! Tell Lucia that Auntie Nora says hi! xo