Page 57 of His to Claim

We’re all ears and wait for Carmela to share her idea.

“Lottie, how would you feel about a wedding here in Sicily at the vineyard?” she asks.

“I’d love that.” Carlotta looks up at me. “What do you think?”

“Whatever makes you happiest,” I say. And it’s the truth. I want whatever puts a smile on Carlotta’s face.

“Good answer,” Carmela says. “Then it’s settled. Lottie and I will talk details and whenever you’re ready, everyone is invited to our home to celebrate your wedding.”

A cheer goes up around us and then Carlotta squeals and jumps into my arms. I wrap my arms around her, careful not to touch her ass in front of everyone, and we kiss again. In the background, I hear Salvatore gruffly give us his blessing.

Finally, I have everything I thought I never needed. And I couldn’t be happier.

23

CARLOTTA

After Miceli hangs up with our parents and everyone congratulates us on our engagement, we all settle back down into our seats again. It’s back to business, but after what just happened, I can’t concentrate. My head is in the clouds, already planning our wedding, our life, our future.

I couldn’t be more thrilled.

How I went from believing I’d lost Damon to nearly dying and losing everything to now being happily engaged to the man I love, I have no idea. Things have a strange and wonderful way of working themselves out sometimes. We’re all alive and safe, so I have nothing to complain about. Only a beautiful and bright future to look forward to and I can’t wait.

We continue to eat and drink, the mood festive, and at some point the conversation turns, and Miceli says he’d like to get the opinion of the group on an idea. As usual, my oldest brother commands the room with ease and draws everyone’s full attention.

“Things have changed significantly within our alliance over the past year,” he says and everyone nods, “and I think this is the most stable the table has ever been. We’ve weeded out the trouble and the weak spots, and we’ve managed to establish a mutual respect and peace. I believe we’ve finally found ourselves in a position where we can truly work together to not only better ourselves, but also our friends and neighbors. Trust is something that’s earned and after everything we’ve faced and gone through, I trust all of you and hope you feel the same.”

“There were definitely some rocky moments,” DeLuca says, glancing over at his daughter, and Alessia lays a hand over Miceli’s, “but I believe you’re right. It’s time to forge our strength in trust and move forward, together as one.”

“Together as one,” Gabriella echoes, reaching for Enzo’s hand. The rest of the Bianches nod in agreement. Ever since Gabriella’s cousins kidnapped and tried to kill Enzo, she’s done her best to salvage my family’s relationship with her family. Of course, their wedding and the birth of little Luna has mended things in ways nothing else ever could have and things have been going extremely well with everyone.

The head of the Caparelli family and the Milano family chime in with their agreement as well. Although coming to meetings with the Five Families is a newer thing for me, I’ve never seen the table so at peace, so willing to work together. And when I think over the root of this miraculous change, I can only attribute it to love and babies. Well, and weeding out a few bad apples like Miceli had said.

Love truly works miracles and just when I think my heart can’t be fuller, Miceli makes his next announcement.

“Since Archer here is about to tie the knot with my sister, I’d like to take a moment and formally invite him to join the table as an official member of the Five Families. It might be Carlotta’s last name that’s changing, but you’re now a part of the Rossi family, too,” he says.

“Whether you like it or not,” Angelo adds, and everyone chuckles.

“Shall we put it to a vote?” Miceli says and everyone nods. “All in favor?”

A chorus of resounding yay’s fill the air, my voice the loudest, and I look over at Damon and smile.

“Thank you,” Damon murmurs, his hand tightening around mine. “This is an unexpected honor.”

His voice is so full of gratitude and I glance over and can’t help but blink back tears. I can tell he’s surprised and touched. Our gazes meet as he says, “Together as one,” making my belly flutter at the double meaning.

The rest of the table repeats the words and I think we may have a new catch phrase. The coveted seat that Gallo tried to steal now belongs to my husband-to-be. Talk about karma.

And then it hits me. Oh, my God, I’m engaged. I have a fiancé! Last week, I was so scared that I would never find a man to love me, a good, kind, wonderful man who would love me with his entire being.

And now here he is, holding my hand, and looking at me with so much love in his eyes.

I’m beyond ready to wrap things up and take Damon back home with me. Luckily, it isn’t long before Miceli ends the meeting and I’m tugging Damon up, ready to bolt. He laughs, pulling me close, and whispers in my ear, “Are you in a hurry, sweetheart?”

“Yes!” I declare, and he chuckles.

After hugging my brothers and telling each one he’s my favorite brother, a running joke we have, I watch Damon shake each of their hands. He can be so respectful and I have a feeling it’s partly due to his military background. When he called my dad “sir” over the phone, I knew it was a good move on his part and that my dad liked it.

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