Page 100 of Choices

I love this old house, and I love the farm, and I love knowing that if I could pick any place to live, this would be it. I'm pretty sure I have an old Pinterest board with a house just like this on it.

We direct the movers where to put things, locking Pickles in Aiden's library for now so he's not freaked out by the dogs. Aiden's in there, organizing his small manga collection, while Jack chases Viv around with slime.

It's a complete scene of chaos - movers, kids, pets, slime, men, and extended family - but my heart has never been fuller, and I've never been happier.

In a moment, it seems like the world stands still. This is the life I created with my choices. This is the family I created with my choices - men who love me the way I deserve - people to love my children the way I deserve.

And it occurs to me: Life is a matter of choice, and every choice you make - makes you.

And me? I'm really fucking happy.

Epilogue

Six months later

Four times a year the warring mafia families put their scheming aside and hold a ball. Each family takes turns hosting and the rules are simple - no weapons. Deals are struck, product negotiated, marriage contracts written, and then the next day they go back to trying to kill each other.

I roll my eyes. Men. Can only play nice four times a year.

Matty leans against the doorway to our bedroom with his arms crossed over his chest and his legs crossed at the ankles. Fuck, he looks good in a tux. Viv isn't going, but she's sitting next to me patiently, while the ladies fawn over her and do her hair and makeup in a simple way. She just wanted to feel like a Princess today, too. So naturally the boys bought her a dress, necklace and tiara and Lauren and Diego promised a Princess movie marathon while we're in the city.

My throat constricts as I think about how grateful I am to have such a big, beautiful family. We went from alone and broken to surrounded by people who love on my children as hard as I do. I pinch back the tears. Diana would not be happy if I ruined the makeup, she just spent an hour putting on.

"Pretty girl," Matty says, coming over and placing a kiss on my temple. "You look amazing."

He turns to Viv. "LPG, you're stunning as always." He grabs her tiny hand in his large one before placing a kiss on the back of it. LPG - Little Pretty Girl.

Diana and the team finish up on Viv before Diego pops in in a 3-piece suit, before escorting Viv to the living room where they've pulled every pillow and comforter from the house and made a giant bed on the floor. It's become a family tradition.

Suddenly, I'm alone in our bedroom with Matty, who looks just about hungry enough to eat me. I notice his gaze at my chest and realize the silk bathrobe I have on is revealing quite a lot of chest.

I put up my hand. "No." I flash a warning in my eyes, but my heartrate picks up when he stalks towards me, a lazy grin on his face, only to be flanked by Santiago and Rico, both decked out in suits. I'm not used to seeing them in suits and the effect is panty-melting, if I were wearing any panties.

All three of them stalk towards me, I stand and try to back up but before I can, they're surrounding me like a pack of wolves.

"Don't you dare!" I squeal as Matty goes to grab me. I jump on top of the mattress before jumping off the other side, keeping the bed between me and the three sexiest men I've ever seen. "Diana just spent hours doing my hair and makeup!" I raise my hands to placate them. Santiago licks his lips before rounding the footboard. Matty's climbing over the mattress towards me. "And if we start now, we'll never leave."

That seems to work, because they all stand and back towards the door.

"We're just here to help you get dressed, mi amor." Rico says, telling me to turn around with his finger.

I do and he slides the robe off my shoulders, before helping me step into the emerald green dress he bought for me. He zips up the back, being careful to hold my hair out of the way.

Santiago steps up to my front, then, and opens a black velvet case to reveal a gorgeous diamond necklace.

I throw a side glance at Matty. "What? No butt plug?"

Santiago just looks at me curiously. I guess Matty didn't ever explainhowhe gave me the butt plug. I laugh out loud. "Another time."

I would normally be uncomfortable with such extravagant gifts, but these boys buy me expensive gifts every so often, so I know it's pointless to fight them on it. They want to spoil me, and after more than a decade of emotional neglect, I'm inclined to let them. Plus, it's a beautiful example of how to love your partner for my kids.

"Santiago, this is gorgeous." I reach up and place a kiss on his cheek. I know if I kiss his lips we'll get carried away and we'll never get to the gala. I smile at the red kiss mark left by my makeup. I lick my thumb and go to wipe it off and the move gives me a flashback of licking my thumb to wipe his concealer off his neck. I smile at the memory. Until he grabs my wrist to stop me. My smile widens. He wants to wear my mark to the gala. I love the idea that everyone there will know he belongs to me.

I'm tempted to mark each of them.

The gala's surprisingly lovely, considering it's full of hardened criminals and murderers.

They also brought their families, knowing it's the only night of the year and they're truly safe from one another. I'm nervous about seeing Vitale's son, but word on the street is, even though the son's as bad as the father, he's too busy with blow and hookers to worry about revenge. Even better.

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