Page 82 of Bittersweet Endings
My family burst into a collective sigh of relief as I exited the plane. Lucky was the first one to reach me. Without hesitation, he pulled me into his arms, squeezing the life out of me. His grip was tight, as if he were afraid I might disappear if he let go.
“God, you’re a fucking idiot, Octavia,” he grumbled into my hair. “What the hell were you thinking? What if we didn’t get here in time?”
I shoved him back and rolled my eyes. “When are you going to learn that I can take care of myself?” The sound of feet shuffling behind us made me turn and I smiled. “I had Rocco.”
Lucky’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. He just shook his head, his eyes scanning me like he was still trying to process the fact that I was standing in front of him. Until he was shoved back and I saw my father.
I rushed into his embrace, the familiar strength grounding me. His scent, the warmth of his chest, it was like a shield. So much bad had happened over the years, but he’d tried to protect me the best he could. After seeing how JP was to his sons, I understood that now.
“I got him, Papa.” I could feel my breath shudder as I spoke. “It’s done. It’s finally over.”
My father held me tighter, his grip unyielding. There was no need for words between us. He knew I’d done it. What it meant.His secret was officially buried. No one would know what part he’d played in the cover-up of Sal’s murder.
The doors to the plane closed behind me as he asked, “You did this all for me?”
I shook my shoulders. “Not all for you.”
“What about me, little doll?” Carmine’s deep voice reverberated at my back.
“Octavia, let’s go.” Lucky went to tug on my arm, but I stepped aside to look at Carmine.
“Hey, little doll.” He smirked down at me.
“What’re you doing? This is your chance?—”
He pulled me against his chest. “I should’ve killed him two fuckin’ decades ago. He can wait a little longer. Besides, my brothers won’t let him go anywhere. And I think we have a few things to talk about, don’t you?”
Lucky went to open his mouth, and my dad slapped him on the back of the head. My brother glowered and said something under his breath but turned to get into the car.
My father stepped forward and extended his hand. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said to Carmine.
“I’m not.”
“I meant your uncle. He was a good man. He knew exactly who you’d become.”
They shook hands, almost calmly.
“And he was right. Cali is in a better place now.” My father glanced down at me. “Take care of everyone better than he did. Better than I did.” He smiled sadly before following my brother.
They all sped off so that it was just the two of us now. Me and Carmine. As the plane started to taxi down the runway, I found myself lost over what to do next. The wind kicked up, tugging at the loose strands of my hair, and Carmine dug his fingers into the nape of my neck.
The sun was setting, casting a warm glow across the sky. The sort of colors that just seemed to calm you. Everything felt right in that moment, like the world had finally decided to give me a break.
But then, something shifted inside me. I’d spent so long wrapped up in the chaos of it all—the betrayals, the revenge, the blood—that I couldn’t recognize this feeling.
Peace, maybe? Or maybe it was just the silence after a storm. When people stayed inside because the damage had been done. But through the windows, the clouds were still dark and heavy.
I felt... shy. And I hated that. Hated how it made my chest tighten. How it made me want to pull away from him. Even after everything we’d been through, I felt exposed.
I shifted slightly, pressing my palms against Carmine’s chest. I didn’t know why I felt so uncertain suddenly. Why it felt so strange to be here with him. Like maybe I wasn’t ready for this. Whateverthiswas.
Carmine didn’t say anything at first. He just kept holding me, his grip tightening slightly, as if he could sense the shift in me.
“You okay?” he finally asked, his voice low with the edge of concern.
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure if I believed it myself. “Yeah... I think so.”
He hummed softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. “You won’t be when I’m done with you, little doll.” He lifted my chin and forced me to look at him. “What the hell is the matter with you? Taking off like that?”
