Page 19 of The Devil's Demise

Gianni comes toward us. “You sure you wanna do this?” He smirks, slapping a palm on his brother’s back. “Because I’m tellin’ you, the single life . . .” He quirks a brow. “That’s where it’s at.”

I shoot him a glare, and he pushes his black hair out of his face.

“Sorry, Dad, but it’s true. I like doing whatever the hell I want with whoever I want.” His smirk deepens as he winks at an irritated Frankie.

“You know,” Enzo tells him. “I once thought the same, and then I met your aunt Jade. My life has only gotten better.”

Gianni merely waves a dismissive hand, but Enzo goes on anyway.

“When you love her, really love her, no other woman on earth will matter.” He pins him with a deep look that speaks to his devotion to his wife. “I hope you find her one day, Gianni, because she’s out there, waiting for you.”

That gets my son’s eyes to expand just a little.

“Look,” I say to Frankie. “Life isn’t without its problems. Everyone has them. It’s what you do with them that matters. So as long as you two are always on each other’s side, keeping the other together, you can make it through anything.”

“Yeah, listen to your dad,” Matteo says, swinging his arm around Frankie’s back. “But whatever you do . . .” His voice lowers. “ ... don’t ever take any advice from your uncle Enzo.”

Laughter fills the room, and then it’s time, really time to watch my boy tie his life to another. I can’t wait for his life to truly begin.

Everyone exits toward the outdoor patio of the hotel we booked for the event. In the faint distance, the sound of the string quartet starts to play. Once we’re closer, my brothers go and take their seats, while the maître d’ steps up to line us up out in the hall. Chiara and I intend to walk our son down the aisle together.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen start heading out, and then it’s our turn.

Hooking our arms through Frankie’s, we give him a final look before the door pulls open.

As we proceed down the aisle with the eyes of all our friends and family on us, I’m reminded of the boy I once was, the hardship I’ve endured, never realizing what stood ahead for me.

For all of us.

Now that I know, I don’t regret a single thing that led me to this moment.

PART II

DANTE & RAQUEL

CHAPTER1

RAQUEL

It’s beena month since Matteo and Aida escaped the hell they’ve known for too long, and finally the chaos all of us have known is no more. I don’t miss any of it. I don’t even miss my mother, wherever she is.

I lay my head in Dante’s lap while his fingers stroke up and down my arm as he stares down at me, his eyes filled with love.

I could practically feel it as though it’s tangible. Mine.

The chill has just arrived in the city and Central Park isn’t filled with people like it normally is in the spring. The area Dante took us to is even less populated. The Belvedere Castle is our backdrop, and I can’t say I’ve ever been here. And what a shame that is, because it’s beautiful here.

“I had the best day,” I say, grabbing his wrist, my lips brushing his knuckles, kissing them.

“I’m glad, baby, but I have one more surprise for you.” His mouth winds up at the corner and my stomach dips as I squeeze my thighs, arousal setting between them.

His jaw flexes, his eyes turning hooded. “Later.” His tone turns seductive, that low, deep-chested growl setting me on fire. “Let’s pack up.” He lowers his face to mine, a hand around my throat, his thumb dipping deeper into my pulse as he kisses me. Hard.

I groan as his tongue languidly slides over mine. “Fuck, baby . . .” He strokes my lips with his. “If we don’t go now, I’m gonna have to reach under those jeans, pull those panties to the side, and fill that pussy with my fingers.”

“Oh my God,” I moan as he backs away a fraction, those eyes practically tearing off my clothes. My heartbeats grow heavy, my chest releasing harsh gasps.

Would it be so bad? I mean, there aren’t that many people here and we do have a blanket.

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