Page 101 of Beautiful Vows

He looks up at me, then at Rafe and Cade, a smile playing on his lips. "More than ready," he says. "Let's get out of here."

Rafe nods to the guards, and they help Dante into the car.

I'm struck by a wave of emotion that I suddenly encounter. We've been through so much, faced dangers I never imagined, but here we are, the three of us, together, stronger than ever. Whatever comes next, I know we'll face it as a family.

Soft, golden light from the setting sun floods the room, filtering through the sheer curtains and casting elongated shadows on the floor. The candle on the nightstand fills the air with a delicate aroma of vanilla and berries.

I'm lying in bed, the soft sheets draped over my body, and Dante's warm hand resting gently on my growing belly.

My head rests against his chest, where I can feel the comforting rhythm of his steady breaths. The gentle thumping of his heart beneath my ear brings tears to my eyes, reminding how close I was to losing him. After everything he went through, I'm so glad to hear those thuds.

A gentle tap on the door interrupts our moment of bliss. It creaks open. Rafe pops his head in first. Cade's head pops over his.

"We're going to work soon, but want to check on how you're feeling, Dante," Cade asks, his voice low and caring.

Dante's chest rumbles beneath my cheek as he responds, "Brilliant."

Dante's fingers trace gentle patterns on my belly as Rafe adds, "Can we come in?"

"Of course," I say, patting the spacious bed beside me. The mattress shifts slightly as I move, and I lift my head to look at them properly.

"For a few minutes," Dante adds, his tone playful, but with an undercurrent of possessiveness that makes me smile.

"Dad called," Rafe begins. "He wants you and Lia to go to Antonio's tomorrow if you're feeling well enough."

I nod. The Syndicate needs its new leaders in place, else other mobsters, and other mafia types will think we're for the taking.

The bed dips as they settle on either side of us. "We can go."

"Lia," Dante chides.

"Listen to your wife," Rafe retorts.

Dante grins. "Yes. My wife."

"Ah," Cade adds. "You think because you married her, she's yours?"

"I took a bullet for her," Dante says, but he smiles and I know he is joking.

“Nice try, de Luca, but you’re not getting her all to yourself just because you nearly died,” Cade says. "We’re sharing our wife."

I smile and kiss Dante on his lips. “We're married on paper, but in my heart, I’m married to all of you. And I've been thinking about that.” I wiggle my finger in the air. “I want to make this darker. I want everyone to see I’m yours.” I glance at Cade and Rafe. "And yours."

Chapter 34

Dante

I’m still aching when we arrive at Antonio’s home, but I want this over with so we can fly off and have some time together before the babies are born.

The Syndicate needs a new direction, and Lia and I will front it. Romeo knows he is about to take over from his father, but he is still holed up with his brother somewhere, along with Enzo and Milly.

Lia wasn’t happy when she found out her sister was still in hiding until Fredrico decides on his next move.

Mateo was instructed to not tell Milly.

The car door opens, taking me out of my thoughts.

“Are you nervous?” Lia whispers.

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