Page 115 of A Bossy Proposal

I squeeze his hand. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

The elevator dings, and a small army of bodyguards flood out before us, sweeping the penthouse.

It’s surreal, like we’re some kind of royalty or dignitaries.

But West’s father insisted on the extra security, and Luca and Gabe insisted on their own team.

As we get further into the penthouse, I’m struck by how different everything feels. It’s the same space, but now it’s filled with relief, with love, but there is still a touch of lingering fear.

I’ve barely settled West on the couch when the concierge calls. One of his father’s bodyguards takes it.

“Send them up.”

Moments later, Luca and Gabe are here but also some faces I’ve never seen—or at least, remembered.

“Luca?” I smile. “Thanks for the extra security.”

“We are family now, Amelia, and with that comes our help whenever you need it.”

A man steps out of the elevator.

“This is my papa, Marco Senior,” Luca says.

Marco steps inside, followed by a stunning woman who must be his wife, Isabella. Another younger girl steps out. She has the most striking Caribbean blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Eyes like mine.

The lady rushes to me and cups my face in her warm hands. “Oh, my. You’re so beautiful. Just like your mamma.”

The girl, who must be their daughter Stella, hangs back, watching me with curious eyes. She’s beautiful, reminding me of the family photos I lost years ago.

Tears well up in my eyes as Isabella’s words sink in. “You...you knew my mother?”

Isabella nods, her own eyes glistening. “Oh yes. When she met your father we became best friends, despite the age difference. Your mamma was like a little sister to me.” She sighs. “Until we left Italy for a new life here in America.”

I know my parents never followed at that point.

My heart swells with a bittersweet ache.

All these years, I thought I was alone, and now, here’s a woman who knew and loved my mother.

“I have so many questions.” My voice shakes, thick with emotion.

“And I have so many stories to share,” Isabella says, pulling me into a warm embrace. “Of when you were a baby. But let everyone else meet you.”

As we part, the teenage girl steps forward, her azure eyes sparkling with excitement. “Hi, I’m Stella! Luca told me all about you and I can’t believe I've finally got to meet you!”

I smile, still a bit overwhelmed. “It’s nice to meet you too, Stella.”

“Oh!” She claps her hands together. “You have to come to my eighteenth birthday party! It’s in a few weeks. Please say you’ll come!”

“I...uh...” I glance at West, who gives me an encouraging nod. “Sure, I’d love to.”

Stella beams. “Great! Oh, and I have a sister too. She called Sofia, and she’s twenty. She’s at school right now, but you’ll meet her and all your other cousins soon.”

I have more family to meet.

My head is spinning.

Family. Cousins. Aunts and uncles.

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