Page 73 of King

How lucky am I that I got a second chance with this beautiful creature?

My fingers thread through hers and I lead her into the bubbling energy of the party.

She sips champagne and elegantly entertains the guests. They are enthralled by her and her presence adds to the glamour of this event.

Finally, it’s time.

“Zina, will you join me up here?” I say, standing on the top step of the patio, looking down at my guests.

She smiles nervously and makes her way through the crowd.

While she’s walking I talk, giving her time to get here.

“Thank you to everyone who has joined us here tonight. We were overdue for good energy, some laughter, some friendship.”

Zina stands close to my side and I wrap my arm around her, looking down at her with warmth in my gaze.

“And we were overdue for some good news.” I smile.

The crowd murmurs but stays quiet enough for me to carry on.

“I have asked this beautiful woman to be my wife. Zina and I are getting married and we would love it if you would all be there.”

The reaction is split. Half of my guests gasp, the other half cheers. My eyes search the crowd until I find my sons. Santino is furious.

I smile at him and tilt my head to the side, pleading with him to accept this.

He sneers and turns away from me.

But this is for the good of the family - and the good of my heart. They will have to learn to accept it, they have no other choice.

I wrap my arm around Zina’s waist and dip her backwards, pressing my lips against hers and this time the crowd cheers. The energy of the party lifts up, and the music turns louder again.

Zina and I spend the rest of the night mingling and accepting congratulations and well wishes. Santino and Romeo are nowhere to be found. Dante and Guido are over the moon.

Guido is standing close to his mother’s side. I overhear their conversation while I’m talking to one of my guests.

“Mom, does this mean our surname will change?” He asks.

“It does.” She says with a smile that speaks a thousand words.

My heart warms and the entire world fades away as I watch her. She is everything I want.

It’s late when the last guest leaves. Zina is walking around pulling doors closed and locking up. “My love, did you have fun tonight?” I ask, stealing her from her task and holding her close to my chest.

She looks up at me with a glitter in her eyes. “It was magical.” She says, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me.

“We need to talk.” Santino’s voice is harsh and cold as he walks into the room. All of his brothers follow behind him.

“Why can’t you just be happy for them?” Dante insists, and I realize that this is a conversation that they are carrying from another room.

“Because nothing about this is right.” Romeo snaps.

“Come on, everyone sit down, and we can have a family conversation - an open discussion.” I say, gesturing for all of them to take a seat in the living room.

“Except it’s not an open conversation, dad. If it were an open conversation, you would have discussed it with us before asking her - or before telling the whole world you’re engaged.” Santino is furious. He won’t sit down, instead he’s pacing up and down the living room with his fists clenched tightly.

“Santino, this is the right decision for the whole family - “ I say, trying to stay calm despite wanting to tell him that the decision is final, and he needs to grow the fuck up and accept it.

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