Page 70 of The Mafia's Second Shot

The words settle between us, grounding us as we move together, our connection deepening with every moment. It’s both a release and a renewal, a reminder of the love that has carried us through the darkest times.

After,we lie tangled in the sheets, the room still glowing with the soft light of the candles. My head rests on his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothing me as his fingers trace lazy patterns along my back.

“I’ve never felt safer,” I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

His hand stills, and he tilts my chin up so I’m looking at him. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you always feel that way,” he says, his voice low and full of conviction.

I smile, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “I believe you.”

50

ZOEY

The soft sound of waves lapping against the shore drifts through the open window, mingling with the golden light of the morning sun. I stretch lazily under the covers, my body sinking into the plush mattress of our new bed. The room smells of salt and sea air, a far cry from the chaos we left behind. For the first time in years, the world feels still—peaceful.

I turn my head to find Cooper beside me, still asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His face is softer in the early light, the hard lines of worry and exhaustion replaced by something gentler. I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, and he stirs, his lips curving into a faint smile.

“Morning,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.

“Morning,” I reply, my heart swelling at the sight of him.

We lie there for a while,tangled in the sheets, neither of us rushing to break the quiet. It’s a luxury I’m still getting used to—this freedom to justbe.

“Do you ever think about how far we’ve come?” I ask softly, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on his arm.

“Every day,” he replies, his gaze locking onto mine. “There were times I didn’t think we’d make it. But you kept me going, Zoey. You gave me a reason to believe in something better.”

I smile, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips. “You’re the reason I didn’t give up. You believed in me before I could believe in myself.”

His hand cups my cheek, his touch warm and grounding. “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?”

“We have,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion. “And it feels like it’s just beginning.”

Later,as the day unfolds, the quiet rhythm of our new life takes shape. Cooper heads to the community center, where he’s taken on a mentorship role, guiding young men who’ve lost their way. It’s a role that suits him in a way I never could have imagined, his strength and experience turning into a force for good.

Meanwhile, I work in my home studio, the light from the large bay windows spilling across my canvases. My art has taken on new life here, inspired by the sea and the sense of freedom that comes with it. The gallery exhibit was a turning point, and since then, my career has started to blossom in ways I never thought possible.

That evening,our home fills with laughter and familiar voices. Marco and Angelo arrive first, their boisterous energy lighting up the room as they trade jabs and tease Cooper mercilessly.

“You’re getting soft,” Marco says, clapping Cooper on the shoulder. “All this fresh air and mentoring? Next thing we know, you’ll be knitting sweaters.”

“Keep talking,” Cooper replies, his smirk playful. “I might just knit one for you.”

The banter is light and easy, a reminder of the family we’ve built over the years. More friends arrive, their presence filling the house with warmth. The sound of clinking glasses and shared stories creates a hum of contentment that settles deep in my chest.

As the night winds down,Cooper and I slip away to the porch, leaving the others to their laughter and stories. The ocean stretches out before us, the moonlight reflecting on the gentle waves. I lean against the railing, the cool breeze tugging at my hair, and Cooper steps behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist.

“This feels surreal,” I say softly, staring out at the horizon.

“It’s real,” he replies, his voice steady. “And it’s ours.”

I turn to face him, my hands resting on his chest. “Do you think it’ll always feel this good?”

He smiles, his gaze unwavering. “As long as we’re together, yeah. I do.”

The certainty in his voice is enough to chase away the last of my doubts. I take his hand, lacing my fingers with his, and together we stand there, letting the sound of the waves wash over us.

“We did it,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the wind.

He squeezes my hand, his smile soft but full of meaning. “Together.”

And as I look out at the endless expanse of the ocean, the life we’ve built feels like the beginning of something beautiful—something worth holding onto forever.

— END —

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