Page 174 of Mafia King's Secret Baby

Sounds at the edge of the yard catch my attention. Through the scramble of workers setting up decorations and games, I see some familiar faces.

I smile. “Nonna Mia!”

The ancient woman waves, followed by several other family members. My heart aches as I look at them, because no matter what, four faces are missing.

Elio kisses the top of my head again. “We’ll find out who killed them, amore mio,” he whispers.

I snort. “It’s creepy when you read my mind like that.”

“Your face is too easy to read.”

I smile, think of the secret I’ve been hiding from him that I’m going to tell him later today. “We’ll see about that.”

Slowly, the party fills up. Family and members of the organization that we trust file in, each one with a present that equals the guilt they had for not knowing about Luna, and each with a huge smile on their face.

I wasn’t sure about the big party at first, but then Elio ran background checks on everyone. He also did something to Nico that I don’t really want to think about, but I haven’t seen the guy since.

So I guess that makes me feel a little better.

My eyes run through all the familiar faces. Once everyone is here, we’ll get out the cake for Luna and sing and have her blow out candles. The adults will have drinks and catered food, and the kids pizza.

It’s perfect.

It’s so perfect that it almost makes my heart hurt.

“Amore?” Elio says, noticing my expression.

I wipe away a tear. “It’s just a lot.”

“A lot of what?”

“A lot of things that I never thought would be possible for us.”

He squeezes my hand, and I hold it tight.

“Also the pregnancy hormones,” I say around the tightness in my chest.

Elio laughs. “Also those.”

I haven’t told him the whole story yet. When I found out I was pregnant, a few weeks ago, I showed him the test and he almost exploded with joy.

The way he responded when I said I’d marry him, that I loved him, when he told Luna he was her father, and when I told him that I was pregnant… Nothing makes Elio happier than family.

Being together.

And being whole.

The pregnancy test was as happy as he’d ever been. Seeing Elio’s moments of lightness, I feel confident we’re making the right decision about our future.

The future of this organization.

And of our children.

The familiar faces in front of me reel like a movie montage. My heart squeezes when I think of those missing, but I look over at the edge of the party and I see a familiar face.

Dino is lurking near a dark hedge.

He hasn’t been the same since that day that we found out he betrayed us. I haven’t felt the same about him, and I’ve mostly been letting Elio and Sal deal with him.

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