Page 63 of Texting My Mafia Savior

“We can finally be together…” She gives me a playful nudge. “My savior.”

I smile. “I never liked that nickname before you started calling me it.”

Me:Don’t be afraid to use your fancy new camera to take some photos before coming into the cafe.

I’m sitting at the window where I first saw my niece, where this all started. Just like last time, the foot traffic is busy even though it’s after lunch.

Arriana:Anybody would think you want to watch me like you did last time.

Me:Ha, you caught me. Will you indulge me?

Arriana:I’ll indulge anything my savior asks.

I smile, reaching into my pocket, touching the object that will change everything. Rocco was skeptical at first. He even took his phone out. I thought he would call his daughter and tell her there was no way he’d let her spend more than a couple of months with me.

Instead, he looked at all the texts and photos she’d sent him while we were away. He was giving himself a reason to say yes, I realized.

I text Destiny.

Me:Are you ready?

Destiny:Are you, big lawyer man? It’s not too late to back out.

Me:Ha ha.

Destiny:I’m only kidding. I’m as cold-blooded as they come, but even I can see how much you love her and how much she loves you. You’ve got this.

Butterflies swirl in my stomach as I wait. I’ve worked as an enforcer, lost two parents, married a woman who could only ever be my friend, and killed two mafia bosses, but I’ve never felt this nervous before.

Arriana:Are you ready for a show?This was easier when it was spontaneous, you know. I wasn’t so aware of getting in everybody’s way.

Me:I’m sure they’ll understand if you tell them it’s for the man you love.

She walks down the street, her camera dangling from a cord around her neck. Just like the first time, my breath catches. My world stands still. Pedestrians flow around her as she turns the camera's lens to the skyscrapers.

I walk toward the cafe door, almost bumping into somebody. Snapshot turns when she sees me. People walk around us, some of them huffing, some of them annoyed, but who cares? Arria looks drop-dead gorgeous in a body-hugging jacket she bought in Krakow.

“Arria.”

She snaps a photo of me, laughing. “I thought you were going to watch me from the window?”

“If I stayed there, I wouldn’t be able to do this…” I take her hands in mine, looking down into her emotion-filled eyes. “I wouldn’t be able to tell you that you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Or that the divorce proceedings went through today. Officially, you’re no longer my niece. So I can finally ask…”

I kneel, aware that some pedestrians have stopped, people gazing at us, a few taking out their phones. Reaching into my pocket, I take out the ring box and open it. The oval diamond set in a thick platinum band glistens in the light. She stares down at me, shock registering on her features.

"Arriana Romano,” I say. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she yells.

I cheer and slide the ring onto her finger. She pulls me to my feet, sobbing happy tears, and throws herself into my arms. I catch her and kiss her. All around us, people are clapping, congratulating us.

“Say cheese,” Destiny says.

I turn my woman so that we’re facing Destiny, who’s holding the camera Arria gifted her yesterday. Arria lets out another happy-filled cry.

Then she leans up and kisses me on the cheek, saying beautiful words just for me. “Remember what I said about waiting?”

I stare down at her, my world seeming so much brighter than I ever thought it could, my soul bursting with love. When we were overseas, I ventured into the topic of children. She said she wanted to wait until she was at least twenty-five, which is fair. I’ll give her all the time she needs.

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