Page 81 of Heartless Union

I stand up and face my father’s men. “Do you accept me as your leader?”

James bows his head first, then Sebastion joins. Then the rest bow to me.

I’m the leader of the Mafia. I saved my family. Everything is how it should be.

With everything settles, I rush over to Lara, pulling her into a tight hug. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” She pulls back, resting her hand on my cheek. “You’re alive.”

“I’m alive. What are you doing here?” I glance over at Gabriella. “Both of you?”

“Lara saw the van that took you,” Gabriella explains. “Emilio was able to find the right car with the right license plate, which led us to this warehouse. And just in time, too.”

I reach over and hug Gabriella. “I’m glad you’re ok as well.”

“You, too, big brother.” She throws me a wink before stepping back.

I give Emilio a hug as well, which I can tell surprises him. I’ve never given either of my brothers hugs before.

“Massimo won’t believe this,” he says.

“He will when I hug him next.” I turn back to Lara, wrapping my arms around her. “I was so worried those men were going to hurt you.”

“One of them tried, but with Gabriella’s help, we fought him off. Your sister has been a big help to me. She’s helped me gain so much strength in life.” She smiles up at me. “But so have you. I’m so happy you’re all right. When Carlo took you, I thought that was the end. That I’d just lost my dad and husband all in the same day.”

“I’m not an easy man to kill. I told you that before.”

“You did.”

I walk her away from the men in the room to give us some privacy. “Did you mean what you said?” I ask. “That you …”

“That I love you?” She nods slowly. “I meant every word, Rocco. My heart is yours if you want it.”

“I want it,” I growl before kissing her deeply. She clings to me like her life depends on it. A couple of the men whistle. I turn my back to them, so they can’t see Lara. I might have changed a lot over the course of a month, but I’m still protective. Lara is mine and mine alone.

After pulling back from the kiss, I gaze down at her. “I’ve been wanting to tell you, too. I love you, Lara.”

Her breath hitches and her eyes widen. “You do?”

“You didn’t think I was capable of it?”

“I wasn’t sure,” she admits.

“Well, you’ve showed me I’m capable of feeling emotion. That I don’t have to hide away from it. That it’s not a weakness. You’ve changed me for the better, Lara. If it weren’t for my love for you and my family, I never would have fought so hard to stay alive. But all I wanted to do was get back to you.”

Her eyes mist over. “Oh, Rocco.” She stands up on her tiptoes to kiss me again.

Lara and I started off rocky. I know I was a cold man to get to know. But she showed me there’s more to life than logic. That I can accept my emotions. That I can understand hers.

Lara is no longer confusing for me. I understand her completely. She’s my wife, and that means something.

And now, as the new Mafia boss of New York City, I won’t have to look over my shoulder in fear. I can rule with confidence, knowing I’ve kept Lara safe.

Lara and I have all the time in the world now to grow our relationship.

And for the first time ever, I’m truly excited to explore how much I’m able to feel. Because with Lara, I want to feel everything little thing. Every touch. Every word. Every look.

I want to experience it all with her.

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