Page 322 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

I grabbed her – kissed her like there was no tomorrow –

And then pulled back.

“Iloveyou,” I said, like my life depended on her knowing I meant it to the core of my soul.

She smiled and laughed through her tears. “I love you, too.”

Suddenly, there was an eruption of applause behind us.

We both looked over to see a lot of people smiling and clapping.

Alessandra, first and foremost. She had tears streaming down her cheeks, so was so happy.

All the women – Bianca, Lucia, Rachel, Mei-ling, Isabella, and Ludavica – were clapping and grinning.

And Massimo, Roberto, and Lars were smiling, too.

Adriano gave me a look like,Damn, son, you got some balls.

Niccolo was furious, as I expected –

But it was Dario who unnerved me the most.

He just stared at me with a slight frown.

“Come on,” I whispered to Caterina as I held her hand and took her with me back to my family.

I could tell she was afraid, but she came nonetheless.

I stopped in front of Dario.

“Don Rosolini, I beg your forgiveness,” I said nervously. “I know I went against your orders, and I’m prepared to bear whatever the punishment may be. But I ask for your blessing to marry the woman I love – Caterina.”

Dario looked at me –

Looked over at Caterina –

And then Alessandra tugged on his sleeve with a face likeCome ON!

The corner of Dario’s mouth turned up with the tiniest hint of a smile, and his eyes softened.

“You have my blessing,” he said.

Without thinking, I launched myself at him and hugged him.

He laughed and hugged me back.

Alessandra wrapped her arms around both of us.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I heard Niccolo seethe, but I ignored him.

Instead, I pulled back and said to Dario, “And with your permission, I’d like to marry her right now.”

“…now?!” Caterina gasped behind me.

I turned and grinned. “Why not? We have a church and a priest. I don’t want to waste one more second.”

Caterina looked at me wide-eyed. “I – um – okay!”

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