Page 82 of Bianchi

Nodding, I gnaw on my bottom lip. “And if I don’t want to leave, what happens then?”

“Then I won’t ever let you go.”

He says it so matter-of-factly that a fluttering of hope ignites within my chest. I take a step forward and then another until I’m standing in front of him. Our chests brush and I tentatively bring my hands up to hold onto the lapels of his jacket.

I know what I’m signing myself up for if I stay and we still need to work on the foundations of this relationship, but the cracks are repairable. Besides, nothing else matters if I have him by my side.

My voice is small, but I know he can hear the certainty when I say, “I don't want to go. I want to stay. I choose you, Rome.”

Romeo’s eyes search mine, his hands gripping my hips and squeezing the flesh gently. He drops his head to mine, closing his eyes, and I take the opportunity to cup his face.

“But,” I wait for him to look me in the eye before I continue, “It’s going to take me some time to forget everything that’s happened and move on fully.”

“I don't want us to forget, Aurora. I want your forgiveness and your love, but I don’t want you to ever forget my mistakes. Promise me you won’t ever forget them.”

“I promise,” I breathe. The words lift the heaviness from my chest, allowing it to drift out into the wind.

Romeo growls before capturing my lips in a searing kiss. A familiar heat coils in the pit of my stomach as my pulse pounds in my ears before he pulls away and rests his forehead on mine.

Our breaths mingle in the space between us and although his words are quiet, for only me to hear, his promise is clear. “I love you, Aurora. And I’ll love you until this life ends and we’re far into the next one… Cristo, I’ll love you until we’re nothing more than two distant memories that existed as one in every lifetime.” He pulls away, cupping my face and smoothing away the hairs before continuing, “You have me. All of me, from the top of my head right down to the soles of my feet and the blood pounding in my veins. There will only ever be you, amore mia.”

And just like that, the heat I felt moments ago turns into a fluttering. My arms circle his neck and I stand on my toes as I whisper, “I love you.”

Romeo bends to lift me into his arms. He carries me into the house, all the while devouring my mouth. Later, I’ll tell him all the ways I love him, but for now, I’m going to show him.

Epilogue

Romeo

It’s been a month since Aurora told me she loved me. A month of having her back where she belongs, in my arms and my heart. I was ready to let her go, because after seeing five of Massimo’s men being killed, I was resolute in not bringing her any further into this darkness.

But then she gave me her heart, and with it, I’m earning back her trust. I'll do everything within my power to protect her from the ugliness of this world. We returned to Sicily a week after the attack on Elio’s place, needing a change of scenery that wasn’t a reminder of the mistakes I’d made.

Daniele is still in America, working with Massimo and Leonardo to find who tried to set up Aurora. Before I left, we determined that Mattia, Aurora’s uncle, was responsible for the bombing at the docks and at least one of the other attacks, but we’ve had no luck finding the woman Aurora confirmed went by the name Anastasia. Daniele has been keeping me updated, but there hasn’t been much progress.

I’ve spent my days since we returned showing Aurora her new home and checking in on the various operations that make up both the legal and illegal sides of the family business. It’s been good to be back here, with her by my side and a new hope for our future.

Aurora’s asleep next to me as I finish up some emails in bed. We spent the day at a private beach a short walk from the house and it was good to unwind and relax, but I could tell she was exhausted when she nearly fell headfirst into her soup at dinner.

My phone vibrates across the bedside table, and I snatch it up to stop it from waking her. Massimo’s name flashes across the screen. Closing my laptop, I set it on the table as I climb from the bed and move across the room. I only connect the call when I’m halfway down the corridor with the bedroom door closed behind me. It’s three am my time, so that makes it… nine pm his time.

“Cousin, how are you?” he slurs.

Loud music sounds in the background and I move further down the corridor as I raise my voice to be heard over the noise. “Where are you, Massimo?”

Chuckling, he replies, “At my bachelor party, believe it or not.”

I press a finger into my ear, sure I’ve misheard him. “Your what?”

“My bachelor party. I’m getting married, Rome.” Disbelief drowns his words, as if he can’t quite believe it’s happening. You and I both, cousin.

Tugging on the ear my phone isn’t pressed to, I try to hide the confusion I’m feeling when I reply, “Congratulations. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

“I’m not.” He sighs. The music dies down and I imagine him heading to his office. He’s got to be in his club; it’s weirdly his safe space. “It’s a long story, but someone owed me and now I have a wife. Well, I’m going to have a wife.”

Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

A groove forms in my brow as his words register. “Someone owes you and you’re going to have a wife you don’t want?”

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