Page 56 of A Promise For Tomorrow

An hour later, I am shaking her father’s hand. Respect is written all over his face. Vincenzo’s girlfriend Diane drove Madison’s little sister home, allowing us to talk more candidly about our past events. I left nothing out. Admitting my original plan in kidnapping Madison, to us falling in love in the most exhilarating way, to me faking my own death. Madison added her own thoughts and perspective as her father and Mikayla listened along carefully.

There were a few moments I was slightly worried her father would have me executed the second I stepped foot out his front door. Especially when we told him we had gotten married. Vincenzo remained relatively quiet. Eerily quiet if you ask me.

My mind eased a bit when Madison explained her account of my proposal and our wedding. That’s when her old man started chuckling. Both our eyes remained glued on her, admiring how her eyes lit up and cheeks reddened while she explained our connection.

I place a kiss to Madison’s temple. “I’ll meet you in the car. I have it warming up.”

She leans into me, placing a brief kiss to my lips before blowing a kiss to her father one last time. “Goodnight, Daddy.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart. I’m glad we sorted this out. Don’t let me see you with any more stitches or bruises again, you hear me ?” He’s talking to her but looking at me.

“As I told you, I handled it, and then Diegoreallyhandled it. Anyways, I’m glad you are on the road to recovery, Dad. I need you around to watch the grandkids one day,” she says gleefully.

It’s as if a weight has been lifted off her chest. She’s free. Free to continue being mine. No secrets. No lies. It’s all out in the open. Andgoddamn. Hearing her talk of having my children has me ready to get back to the hotel so we can practice.

I’ve got one more thing I need to do before we leave. And this one is strictly between me and her father.

“Slow it down there. I just heard about your wedding today. Give me some time before you start announcing babies.” Vincenzo holds a hand to his chest.

Madison laughs some more on her way out. She lets the screen door slam, announcing her departure. I turn to her father, taking a deep breath.

“I know I didn’t do it the right way in the past, Sir. I would like to remedy that. I want to do it the right way. I am asking permission to remarry your daughter. I promise to always protect her, to encourage her goals and dreams. I love your daughter very much. She is an incredible woman. I’m a very lucky man to have been given her trust and love in return.”

He remains silent, studying me behind his glass of water before taking a sip. He reaches out his hand to shake mine. I place my hand in his firm grip. He tugs me close.Maybe I misjudged his lighter mood?

“You have my blessing, Diego.However, there is one thing I need you to understand. No matter how much she may hate you, no matter how much it will ruin everything you’ve created with her… If the feds come to take you down, you leave her the fuck out of it. I don’t want her being dragged into this. I know they usually don’t pull wives into it, and having a good attorney will prevent that as well. But if by some freak chance they come looking for you... You do what you did in the past. You protect her reputation and future first. My daughter will not be dragged through courts and prison because of you. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And I shouldn’t have to mention it, but if you hurt her… I end you.Capisce?” He releases my hand as I nod and start to walk towards the front door.

For once, I am actually speechless. This man has invoked the fear of God into me.

All because of who he is to Madison.

“Oh, and Diego?” Vincenzo rasps.

“Madison seems smitten with you. I’ve never seen my daughter this happy before. Even with Killian’s brother. She’s glowing and confident. It’s absolutely refreshing to see.” Pride filters out of him.

“Your daughter is extraordinary. Her drive as a woman, a sister, a friend… aspouse…inspires me every single day.” I tap the molding next to the door before leaving.

Well…that went exceptionally well.

As I round the driver door, I hold my breath. Now would be the perfect time for a sniper to take me out. I get in and shut the door, releasing that breath and grinning from ear to ear.

Looks like I’m still alive.

“Are you mad?”I ask hesitantly, as we walk hand in hand through the hotel lobby.

Madison was awfully quiet the whole ride here. That damn phone had been going off every two seconds as she crafted a response to each message almost immediately. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t glance over to see who she was texting. She was going back and forth between her sister Mikayla and Lexi.

Women. Always debriefing.

Her beautiful face finally looks up at me as we navigate the lively crowd by the downstairs bar. There isn’t any sign of disappointment or anger.

Thank fuck.

I hit the button for the elevator, the ring around it lights up red. She raises my hand and places it over her shoulder, leaning into me. Her warmth immediately wraps around me like a heated blanket. With it comes a wave of comfort and peace.

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