Page 102 of Dangerous Devotion

“Well.” Gabe stepped forward and clasped my shoulder. “Welcome to Castello dei Pietra. Good to have you all here,” he said, his voice gruff but sincere.

I suddenly felt a tap on my arm. I turned to find Gabe’s mother, Maria, standing there with open arms and a soft smile.

“Vincenzo,” she said warmly, pulling me into a tight embrace.

I’d met her briefly in Malta, but with Matt in the hospital and everything that was going on with Alex and Fee, we didn’t really have time to connect.

As I hugged her back, memories flooded my mind. I remembered countless afternoons spent in her kitchen, the smell of her famous lasagna filling the air. I remembered her laughter mingling with my mother’s, their friendship a bright spot in the darkness of my memories.

“It’s good to see you, Maria,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.

We all followed Maria inside. The familiar scent of the villa washed over me—how could it be that after all those years, it still smelled the same? It felt like stepping back in time, to a place where life was simpler, where my mother’s laughter still echoed through these halls.

Gabe’s mom laid a hand on my arm and pulled me away from the others. “There’s something I need to give you,” she said softly, leading me to a quiet corner of the entryway.

From the side pocket of her cargo pants, she produced an envelope. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the handwriting on the front—my mother’s.

“She sent this to me before…” Maria’s voice trailed off, her eyes misty. “She wanted me to give it to you once you were married.”

I took the envelope with hesitation and stared at it as if it might disappear. My mother didn’t leave a suicide note, so this was a complete surprise.

“Use my office,” Gabe said, appearing at my side. Hesqueezed my shoulder, a gesture of silent support, then led me to his office.

He closed the door behind me, and I sank into one of the leather chairs, the letter clutched in my hands.

I took a deep breath, then opened the envelope and unfolded the paper inside.

My Dearest Baby,

it began. I could almost hear her voice as I read the words, and my throat tightened.

If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found someone to share your life with. I have faith that you’ve chosen well, that you’ve found a woman worthy of your love.

I’m sorry I can’t be there to meet her, to welcome her into our family. But I know you’ll be the best husband possible, that you’ll cherish her always.

She didn’t write it, but I could almost hear the “unlike your father” resonating between the lines. I continued reading.

I’m sorry I can’t be there to see the beautiful family I’m sure you will build. To hold my grandchildren and spoil them rotten. But know that I’m watching over you, always. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, Vincenzo.

I love you, my son.

Mom

I put the letter down, overwhelmed by a wave of emotion. Grief, love, regret—they all crashed over me at once.

A knock at the door startled me. For a moment, I hoped it was Jemma, but instead, Gabe poked his head in, concern etched on his face. “You okay?”

I nodded and tucked the letter into my pocket. “Come in,” I said, my voice a little rougher than usual.

As he settled into the chair across from me, I took a deep breath. There was no changing the past, no bringing my mother back. But I could honor her memory by being the man she believed I could be, by being a good husband to Jemma. That’s what mattered now.

“How’ve you been?” I asked, focusing on the present.

Gabe’s face softened, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Thanks to Sophie, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” he admitted. The contentment in his voice was unmistakable.

I nodded, glad for my friend’s happiness. Then I remembered why we were here. “About that message you sent…”

Gabe got up, reached into his desk drawer, and pulled out a familiar-looking book. My grandfather’s book, with that same symbol on it. He came back and placed it on the small table between us.

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