Page 104 of Mafia Target

“You’ll be fine, matrigna. My father will take care of you. Get you whatever help you need.”

“Yeah, I know how he’ll take care of me,” she said dryly. “That’s what got me into this mess in the first place.”

“He loves you.” I waved to one of the estate workers who called out my name in greeting. “Which is why I couldn’t tell you, Frankie. I couldn’t put all of this in jeopardy. I couldn’t risk you or the kids.”

“Risk us, how?”

I explained about the Sicilians, Alessio finding me in Málaga. Everything that had happened until today.

“Fucking hell. You had two contracts out on you?”

“Yes.”

“Weren’t you worried Alessio was going to kill you?”

“At first. But then . . . we fell in love.”

“You fell in love with the man sent to kill you. Jesus. I don’t even know how to wrap my head around that.”

“Dai, you fell in love with the man who kidnapped you to marry me. So at least my story is as fucked up as yours.”

She chuckled and laid her head on my shoulder. “Who hired him?”

“He won’t tell me.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

I trusted Alessio with my whole being. It was hard to explain, but I didn’t care about the past anymore. For the first time in years, I was contemplating my future. And I had Alessio to thank for it. “I’m sure he’ll tell me eventually, but I’m not worried.”

“Fausto won’t like that answer.”

“Well, this isn’t Fausto’s business.”

“Everything is Fausto’s business. You should know that by now.”

I did know this, which was why I planned to move to Málaga and start my own empire. With Alessio. Then I could come back to Siderno and visit whenever I liked, however long I liked.

A small smile twisted my lips. I never thought I’d get my life back, or find another man to love. But I’d gained both those things in the last few weeks.

“It’s good to see that goofy, love-struck look on your face again,” Frankie said as we strolled along the path. “It’s been a long-ass time, you know?”

“You will like him. He’s part Adam Driver, part Gianluigi Buffon.”

“Who is Gianluigi Buffon?”

I shook my head like I was deeply disappointed in her. “Haven’t you researched the great heroes of your adopted country? Ma dai, Frankie.”

“It must be a footballer, then. And honestly? You had me at Adam Driver.”

Leaning over, I kissed the top of her head. “I’m so glad to see you haven’t changed.”

“Well, I’m glad to see that you have. You’re happier. Lighter. The circles under your eyes are gone. You look like the man I first met way back when.”

“You mean when you thought you were going to have to marry me?”

“Thank God that never happened.” The paddock came into view and she waved when Rafe saw her. “We would have made each other miserable.”

I honestly couldn’t imagine. I loved her like a sister. Anything more than that would’ve been impossible.

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