Page 38 of Fractured Devotion

“This is perfect.” Massimo grinned. “You and Carmela can get married in Italy. Give Nonna the wedding she’s been begging for. Madison and I don’t want to do it. The boys are six months old, and the thought of planning something gives her hives.”

“Riley would love to visit Nonna. She hasn’t met Liliana yet.” Vincenzo grinned at the mention of his daughter.

“Nor has she met Aurora.” Antonio was just as proud of his daughter. Rachel had given birth to their first son—who was biologically Michaels, the third in their triad marriage. Aurora was his, and damn if she didn’t look like him.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll call Mother and Father and let them know to prepare for some visitors. Any idea when Carmela will want to have the wedding?”

“Shouldn’t I ask her first?” The words tumbled out, half-joking, half-serious.

“Ask me what?” Carmela sauntered in, with Sofia tagging along like a shadow. “Sofia was out front, so I thought I’d walk her back.”

Before I could catch my breath, Carmela had bridged the gap between us, claiming my lap as her seat. Her arms snaked around my neck, and her lips found mine in a greeting that made the world stand still. “So, what’s the big question?” she teased, her eyes dancing with mischief.

“Uh, well…” Words failed me, my thoughts a tangled mess.

She cocked an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. “Is it about this?” With a flourish, she flashed her left hand at me.

On her ring finger sat the diamond ring, glittering with a thousand promises.

“How— Were you snooping through my things, Carmela?” A casual shrug was her only admission of guilt.

“Was looking for a Band-Aid and stumbled upon it. What’s your plan? Holding onto it for safekeeping or did you have a proposal in mind, this century maybe?”

I could only palm my face, a mix of exasperation and adoration washing over me.

“I had a whole romantic scenario plotted out, but I thought I’d talk to your brothers first…”

Carmela’s laughter was light, like a melody that brushed away any formality.

“Since when do we need permission to make our own decisions? I don’t need their say-so to marry you, and neither do you.”

At that moment, her independent spirit and fierce love shone through, reminding me that she was a force unto herself and nothing—certainly not tradition—would stand in the way of our future together.

“Then will you marry me, Carmela? Make me even happier than I am already?”

“I’m already yours. This ring doesn’t change that, but it does tell the world who I belong to. So, yes, Alex. I’ll marry you.” She pressed her lips to mine.

“You two think you can save that for later? We have a business to discuss that isn’t your love life.” Vincenzo made a fake gagging sound.

Breaking away from her, I smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Forever.”

“I’m glad you two have found your path to happiness,” Sofia said, her tone earnest but carrying an undertone of urgency that piqued our curiosity. “However, I bring news from Lorenzo. I’m off to Reno in the morning. He’s dealing with complications involving some cartels, and he needs my presence.”

As we turned to face her, I felt a slight shift in Carmela’s posture on my lap.

“How’s Miguel with you leaving?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“Miguel and I,”—Sofia’s expression held a complexity that I couldn’t quite decipher, a fleeting shadow crossing her face—“our connection is strong, but my allegiance lies with my family, as his does with the Sureños. Our paths will cross again, but family and duty come first.”

Carmela stood then, her movements fluid as she approached Sofia. “Before you get caught up in all that, you’ll come to Italy for the wedding, right?”

Massimo’s laughter resonated in the room. “Seems she’s already in the loop,” he quipped.

Carmela sent a conspiratorial wink my way. “And please, convey my gratitude to Lorenzo. For everything. And not just for me, but for what he’s done for Harlen’s girl, Kate.”

Kate’s story was one of change, one Lorenzo had a hand in shaping. He had taken Kate under his wing after her rescue from Columbia, ensuring she received the care she needed and the education she deserved. At twenty, she was being given a chance to start over, all thanks to Lorenzo’s generosity.

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