Page 70 of Assistant to the Mafia

Romeo cringed. “Fair.”

Dante moved aside, working on his buckle. “I’m going to have a team come by at the top of the hour to get started on him. If you want the honors of finishing him off, get it done before then.”

Romeo reached for his gun without hesitation. “Won’t need that long.” Tracey wouldn’t be offering any additional information, there was no longer any reason not to blow his brains out. So, careful not to step in any of the bodily fluids he’d emitted during his time in their custody, Romeo moved closer and managed to catch the bastard’s gaze. It was clear Tracey wasn’t fully aware, but that was fine. Romeo pressed the muzzle of his gun against one of Filip Tracey’s eyes. “Still think you’ve ‘won’, Fil?” And then he pulled the trigger.

Grace spent most of Monday catching up on the work that had piled up while she’d been out of office the previous week. It was easily one of the most hectic workdays she’d had in a while, and Romeo had to drag her from her desk at six o’clock, repeatedly reminding her that she’d promised only to work past that on nights her boss required her to. Tuesday was a little more of the same, slowly evolving into something more familiar, and by Wednesday one of the most pressing tasks was finally off her plate. She had found Romeo a new assistant.

Wednesday brought with it one other perk, too. Grace was able to get her stitches removed.

Thursday was almost boring in comparison, and Grace was almost eager to leave the office when her new end-of-day time came around. Though in truth, she knew keeping the shorter working schedule would be the biggest difficulty long-term. Romeo hadn’t been entirely wrong. She was something of a workaholic.

Friday was a pre-designated short day. Not because it was threatening to snow again, and certainly not because it was Valentine’s Day. The office didn’t close for that sort of holiday—and Grace had been known to put in hours on Christmas and New Year, anyway. No, Dante had declared a half-day for the entire executive floor because Iris wanted to celebrate their first Valentine’s Day in a very particular way. Family and specifically invited guests were to meet at Eleonora’s home at two o’clock that afternoon for a gender reveal party.

In light of all the chaos of the previous week, and her own engagement, Grace had nearly forgotten.

Stress spiked in her chest as the party neared. She showered after work, blew out her hair, freshened her makeup, and zipped herself into a nice dress that wasn’t the one she’d originally planned to wear to this event. She smoothed her hands down her sides, the faint sparkle in the dress playing nicely against the shimmer of her diamond.

“You okay, angel?” Romeo asked from the bathroom doorway. He leaned against the frame, donning his suit and tie, hands in his pockets.

Grace offered him a smile. “Yes, I just—” She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at herself. “I lost the gift I’d purchased. It was smashed during the break-in, and I completely spaced ordering a replacement.”

His eyes twinkled. “Grace, you don’t have to get them anything.” He pulled her close. “But here’s what you’re giving them, if it helps. You’re giving Dante’s one and only niece a mother. You’ve already given Iris a friend, and I don’t think you know how much that means to her yet, but someday you will.” He skimmed his hands down her arms, squeezing lightly. “You’re giving their baby, and any future babies, an aunt they can trust.” He brushed his lips over hers, the kiss light and chaste. “And soon you’ll be giving their first-born a cousin, close in age, to grow up with.”

Her heart raced, warmth blooming in her chest.

Romeo smiled down at her. “What more could you want to give them?”

Tears stung her eyes for a moment and Grace returned his smile. “I had bought her a crystal rose in a dome, that sparkled and reflected light. It was designed to resemble the one from Beauty and the Beast, but it was very high quality. Very much just something to put on a shelf.”

“She’d have loved it, I’m sure.”

Grace drew a breath, feeling better than she had for most of the day. “We’ll be late if we don’t head out.” She said the words knowing full well she had been the one holding them up.

Romeo only turned and offered his arm.

They tucked themselves into the SUV and Mo drove them quietly over to Eleonora’s home. Grace couldn’t help but think she much preferred approaching it without the stress of a recent attack still in her system. Remembering the ice she’d spotted on the edge of the gate as they’d driven onto the property, she asked, “The party is indoors, right?”

Romeo laughed. “Yes, thank fuck. If they’d wanted to have an outdoor party this time of year, I’d have had to insist we use Iris’s new greenhouse.” He paused as Mo pulled the SUV to the front. “Park in the garage, Mo. You get to stay, too.”

“Sir…”

“Sucks being family, doesn’t it?”

Grace smiled, and when the vehicle finally came to a stop, she waited until someone was at her door before releasing her seatbelt and stepping down. She walked hand-in-hand with Romeo into her future mother-in-law’s home, allowed herself to be pulled from his grip and into Eleonora’s sweeping hug when they found everyone, and before she knew it, she’d forgotten she had ever been stressed at all.

The party was mostly family by one definition or another, but it was full of smiling faces. The house was bursting with warmth. The kind of warmth Grace’s family had always faked, and the kind Grace had been searching for her entire life.

Grace tucked herself up beside Romeo as it came time to watch the couple of the hour cut into the ivory-wrapped cake. The cake itself was decorated with snapdragon-like sugar work rising up and over one side for dramatic effect that was quite beautiful, but aside from that small patch of floral aesthetic, the exterior was purposely bare. Inside, of course, would reveal the answer they had all gathered for.

Iris took the knife in hand, Dante’s hand curling around hers, and together the couple carved out a large slice of cake. Tears poured down Iris’s cheeks and Dante curved his free hand around her to settle over her belly. They set the knife down and Dante lifted the plate with the perfectly standing slice atop, for all to see. The cake was dyed blue.

“We’re having a boy,” he said proudly, his voice booming in the moment of reverent silence.

Grace smiled.

Romeo gave her shoulder a squeeze before letting go to join in as the room burst into applause.

“My first grandson!” Eleonora declared, rushing forward. “Congratulations!”

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