Page 187 of Vicious Addictions

“Here. Let me give it a try,” he offers.

I turn to face him, only to gawk a little when I see him sporting the world’s biggest smile.

Which on my father—a man who hardly ever smiles—is peculiar to see, to say the least.

“What?” he asks when my stare becomes too much.

“Nothing. It’s just I’m not used to you smiling like that. So…unreservedly.”

“Well, get used to it.” He laughs. “It’s not every day that your firstborn gets married.”

“So you’re still cool with it? Me staying here in London with Mina, I mean?” I ask a bit apprehensively as my father fixes my bow tie.

When Mina and I finally wrestled our way out of bed and started working on what she called ‘the logistics,’ it quickly became clear to us that Kent Manor was where we were meant to build our lives. Not just because of Victor’s declining health, but because Mina would be stepping into the leadership role of the Firm before the year’s end.

As for me? Aside from my family in Chicago, there was nothing tying me there.

Nothing except for my oath.

When I took the omertà, I swore to put the Outfit above all else—above God, above family. Moving across the pond to stand beside Mina as she led the London Firm was a decision that, on paper, put that vow into question.

“If you’re asking me that as yourCapo dei Capibecause you’re still worried about any blowback coming my way, don’t be,” my father replies. “As I told you before, the Outfit has many allies—none more important than the Cranes. Don’t think of it as turning your back on your ownfamigliato join hers. Think of it as you being my proxy here in England and combining the two together.”

“Is that how you’re going to spin it to the otherfamiglias?” I ask with an arched brow.

“It is.” He chuckles. “How’s my speech sounding so far?”

“Believable.”

“Good,” he says, patting my tie into place and meeting my gaze. “Now, if that question was directed at your father—namely me—then I’ll admit, I was a little saddened you two didn’t decide to stay in the States with us. Mina would’ve been a hell of an addition to what’s already a chaotic and messy family. That being said, as long as you’re happy—truly happy—then, son, you and Mina could’ve moved to the damn moon, and I’d still sleep easy at night,” he says with conviction. “All a father ever wants is for his children to be happy—doesn’t matter how, when, where, or with who. Your happiness is all that matters to me. Nothing else.”

He then pulls me into a fierce hug, so tight that he almost manages to suck out all the air in my lungs.

“I love you, Jude. With all my heart. I’m so proud of you. So damn proud of you, son, for going after what is truly important in a man’s life—his wife’s heart.”

“Thank you, Papà,” I choke out, emotion thick in my throat.

My father pulls away, steps back, and discreetly wipes the tears from his eyes. “I think I might take your earlier advice and get some air with the twins. I’ll meet you outside, son.” With that, he turns and walks out the door.

“Pay up,” Dom orders, extending his hand toward Gio.

“Damn it,” Gio grumbles, pulling out his wallet and slapping a wad of cash into Dom’s palm. “I should’ve known he’d cry like a baby today.Stronzo.”

Dom counts the bills before tucking them into his breast pocket with a smirk. “Let’s see how well you hold up in a few minutes. I’ve got a bet with the twins that by the time Jude and Mina say their ‘I do’s,’ you’ll be eyes deep in tissues.”

“Which twins?”

“Both sets of ‘em,” Dom gloats.

“Little shits.” Gio laughs.

“And you, kid? Need me to spot you a few tissues now, or are you good to go?” Dom teases.

“Isn’t that what this pocket square handkerchief is for?” I gesture to my tuxedo.

“Even I know that one’s just for show,” Dom scoffs, shaking his head before shoving a tissue into my front pocket.

“Thanks, Dad.”

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