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“Business will be better than ever now, Santino. So long as you take care of Mia.”

“Of course. Her happiness is my priority.”

“Good to hear,” he says approvingly. “Take it easy with recovery. You don’t have to worry about the cops, either. I’vealready got it all taken care of so there won’t be an investigation or anyone coming to ask you questions.”

The door flies open and in comes my beautiful wife. “Santino?” she calls out, pushing past Leo. Her frantic eyes meet mine, and when she sees I’m awake and looking back at her, her face breaks out in a huge grin and she hurries over to me, throwing her arms over me.

“Ooof,” I huff, and she gasps.

“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry! I’m just so happy to see you awake.” She cups my cheeks as tears gather in her eyes.

“Don’t cry,farfalla. I’m okay.”

“And I’m okay now that you’re awake.” She leans down and gives me a sweet, gentle kiss. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

“It’s okay. I was told it was the first time you left the room. You didn’t have to stay here the whole time.”

“Oh, shut up. Of course I did.”

“We’ll, uhh, give you two some space,” Emilio says, and Mia gives him and Albie a hug.

“Thank you for getting him here in time. I’m so grateful. I owe you big time.”

“You don’t owe us anything.”

“But I wouldn’t turn down whatever you think is fair,” Albie cuts in, making her laugh.

“Get the fuck out of here so I can be alone with my wife,” I growl at my brothers.

“Fine, fine. We’ll be back tomorrow.”

“I’ll leave you two as well. Mia,” Leo says, giving her a little bow as a goodbye.

“Thank you, Leo. I don’t know what happened after all of this”–she waves a hand at my bandages–“but I know you did everything to make it right.” Mia throws her arms around her cousin and he doesn’t even hesitate to wrap his around her.

“You know you’re like another little sister to me, Mia. I’m sorry about everything that’s happened this past month, but it’s clear to me that things are going well.”

“Very well,” she says shyly, her cheeks turning pink as she tucks her hair behind her ears.

Fuck, she’s cute.

“I’m glad. And Santino, when the doctor gives you the okay for transport, I can have you moved to our hotel, The Aces, in Atlantic City. We have a great doctor and full medical set-up on one of the floors there for you to recover in. Or, we also have the same set-up in my building in Manhattan. I figure you’re a little like me and don’t want to spend your days in a hospital when we have a much more comfortable option for you.”

“Atlantic City sounds like a fun time. I could sneak out and do a little gambling.”

“No, you won’t. You’ll do exactly what the doctor tells you to do.”

“Yes, my wife,” I agree, and her eyes soften, along with her whole body as she collapses into the chair beside me.

Leo slips out quietly and Mia takes my hand. “I missed you,” she tells me, and the confession is all I need to tell her mine.

“I love you,farfalla.”

Mia’s eyes immediately fill with tears. “Santino,” she whispers. Clutching my hand, she brings it up to cup her cheek and holds it there. “I’m so crazy for falling in love with you, but you’re crazy too, so I guess it makes sense.”

“I told you, baby, you were made for me. It’s fate.”

“I think so.” Mia leans forward and gives me the sweetest kiss. “Can I tell you a secret?”

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