Page 16 of The Devil's Demise

“You’re having a daughter,” I cry as he holds my face in his hands, his gaze glazing over.

“And I hope she’s every bit like her mother. Tough. Loving. A total badass.”

“Dom . . .” I throw my arms around his shoulders as everyone whistles and cheers around us.

Athena Rose Cavaleri. That’s what I’m going to name her, after my mom. A sudden chill rushes down my right arm, a feather-like touch skating over it.

When I look up at the cherry blossom tree behind Dom’s back, the flowers sway, yet there’s not a trace of wind at all.

Mom.

I grin, knowing it has to be her. I want to believe that so badly.

Once it sways again, my face brightens and my heart expands, because I know for certain she’s been here, watching me after all.

CHAPTER4

DOMINIC

TWENTY YEARS LATER - AGE 54

“It’sa perfect day for a wedding. Wouldn’t you say, Mrs. Cavaleri?” I leave a kiss on the back of her head, being careful not to ruin her hair, which is still as long as I first remember it on our wedding day.

She was and still is the most breathtaking woman I have ever laid my eyes on.

“Can you believe it?” She adds another coat of red lipstick in front of the full-length mirror. “How is this even possible? How’s our baby old enough to get married?”

She puts the lipstick back in her sparkly black bag, matching the long black gown she’s wearing.

Frankie is in the room next door with his groomsmen, while Chiara and I decided to sneak away and give ourselves a few minutes alone. It’s a damn big day for us too. The little boy we remember, who ran around the house with his brother and sister, pretending to be a monster, is now a twenty-four-year-old man who’s about to marry Savannah, a wonderful young woman he met in high school. They began dating when they were seniors, and both ended up at the same college.

He's working as an architect, and definitely is smarter than his old man, while she’s going to become a vet. They couldn’t be more perfect for one another.

I’m immensely proud of all my kids. Each of them is different, and each one of them is special to Chiara and me.

Gianni, though ... he can’t seem to get the whole relationship thing down. I say he just hasn’t found the right one. But when he does, I know he’ll love the hell out of her. Because under that tough exterior is a big heart.

I should know. I was a lot like him once upon a time.

For some of us, it just takes a little longer to find that special someone. My brothers and I are a good example of that.

Gianni decided to skip college. No matter how much his mother tried to talk him into it, he made up his mind. So instead, he’s been working for me since he was a senior, in the hopes of one day taking over as CEO of our company when I’m too old to do it myself.

Athena, on the other hand, is working toward becoming a lawyer. I’m hoping I can convince her to work in-house for me and her uncles. We’ll see, though. She’s like her mother. When she wants something, no one can change her mind. Some might call that stubborn. I, on the other hand, call it determination. And my girls, they’re that, all right.

Chiara straightens her dress, fixing the V-neck at the front and the thin straps sitting over her slender shoulders.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” I grip her hip with my hand, spinning her to me, and her chest lands hard against mine.

“You did.” She brushes her thumb over my lips. “So many times.”

I drag a long breath into my hollow lungs, my heart tightening as she bores those heavenly eyes into mine.

“You still manage to take my breath away,” I tell her, cupping her face and gently kissing her jaw.

“And you, my handsome husband, still make my heart skip a beat.”

“Aren’t we damn lucky?” I loop my arms around the small of her back while hers fall over my shoulders.

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