Page 64 of Assistant to the Mafia

From the backseat, where Lucia had agreed to sit, Lucia asked, “Daddy, can I do that thing we talked about when we get there?”

Grace pulled her gaze away from the view beyond the window and glanced over her shoulder, toward the girl sitting behind her and innocently wiggling her feet. Still confused, Grace looked across to Romeo.

Romeo adjusted to more comfortably see them both. “Is that what you want to do?”

Lucia bobbed her head. “I thought about it,” she said, “and I think sooner is better.”

Clearly missing some information, Grace asked, “What are we talking about?”

Both De Salvos looked over at her and Romeo grinned. “Apparently, you’ll find out at the ice rink.”

“Oh, it’s like that, is it?”

Lucia giggled and Romeo’s grin only widened.

Grace rolled her eyes for dramatic effect. “You two are lucky I love you.”

They gave her no clues, and Romeo smoothly changed the subject to occupy the time until they arrived at their destination. She played along, pretending she’d let the curiosity slip her mind as they clambered from the SUV. Romeo assigned her a personal guard who was to accompany her exclusively if the larger group got separated and prioritize her well-being over the rest. She felt awkward about that, but knowing Lucia and Romeo had guards for themselves made it tolerable.

Once they were all past the entrance and had acquired rental skates, they found a pair of tables not immediately occupied and took them over. They were a large group, technically. They needed space.

Grace was reaching to unlace her sneakers—a new acquisition—when Lucia stepped up to her.

“Miss Grace, I really am sorry for kicking you before, and for yelling at you.” Lucia twisted her mitten-covered hands together as if she were nervous. “You’ve always been real nice to me, even before Daddy brought you home, and I like you a lot. And I appreciate how you protected me when … when that lady came. That was scary, and Daddy wasn’t home, but you held me. You made me feel better.”

Tears sprang to Grace’s eyes. She didn’t know why Lucia was suddenly saying these things, but the girl’s sincerity was so raw it was nearly painful. “Lucia, of course, sweetie.” She reached out, thinking maybe Lucia wanted a hug, but Lucia shook her head quickly.

“I wanted to ask you—Daddy said it would mean more if I asked you—” Her eyes widened. “But he didn’t tell me when! He just said it might be a nice thing to do. That it might make you happy….”

Grace smiled. “What did you want to ask me?”

Lucia pulled in a deep breath, shoved a hand into her zippered pocket, and withdrew an object Grace couldn’t quite make out over the fabric of the mittens. Not until Lucia fumbled up the lid and turned it around, revealing a stunning heart-cut diamond set on a platinum band. Holding the box almost steady, Lucia asked, “Will you marry us?”

Grace couldn’t stop at least one tear from falling as her throat constricted. It was hard to push out enough voice to answer the sweet girl staring determinedly back at her. “Absolutely.”

Lucia beamed and jumped into her lap with a squeal.

Romeo leaned close, wrapping his arms around them both in a tight embrace. “You did great, princess,” he said, landing a kiss on Lucia’s head. Then he angled his face and pressed his lips to Grace’s ear. “Love you.”

Grace let herself lean into him as she held on to the girl in her lap, soaking in the peace of the moment.

They took their time straightening, and Romeo made sure to do the honors of slipping the ring onto Grace’s finger. It fit perfectly, which raised questions she wasn’t in the mood to ask, and Grace was a little distracted as she finally switched into her skates. Every shift of her hand seemed to make the diamond reflect a new light and it was so beautiful she didn’t want to look away. The one thing it definitely was not was inconspicuous. Just like the man who was undoubtedly responsible for choosing it.

“Everybody ready?” Romeo asked, drawing her attention.

Lucia’s excited voice responded immediately and Grace forced herself back to the moment. Though she figured she was entitled this once, she never had been the kind of woman to fawn over jewelry. Grace got to her feet and allowed Romeo to lead her to the rink, where Lucia—with Enrico in her wake—had already started skating.

Romeo took her hand as they slipped onto the ice, leaning close. “If you think you’re going to fall, just lean toward me. I’ll catch you.”

She grinned. “Don’t I have a guard for that?”

He chuckled. “Catching you when you fall is my job.”

“Daddy! Come dance with me!”

Grace smiled up at him and tipped her head. “Show me how you dance with your daughter. Then come back and dance with me.” She held back and watched as her fiancé skated ahead and took hold of his daughter’s hands. Together the pair twirled on the ice, Lucia’s jovial laugh carrying on the air. It was a heartwarming sight.

She found herself pulled in, skate-dancing with both Lucia and Romeo alternatively. Before she realized it, they’d been on the ice long enough for her bladder to decide the morning’s coffee needed escape. She made her way to the ladies’ room after a quick detour to change, if only temporarily, back into her sneakers. Her newly assigned guard trailed behind her quietly, dropping off at the edge of the privacy wall to wait for her.

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