Page 133 of The Mafia Assassin's Redemption
A man who’s smart and funny and mine.
A man who loves me like I love him.
With everything I am.
He squeezes me tight. “I just wanted to say I fucking love you.”
“Good. Because I love you, too.” And I smile and nuzzle him. “I’m a little obsessed. A girl who can wield flowers and guns. If you run, I’ll chase you down.”
I mean it like he means it.
But that’s fine because he’s not going anywhere… and neither am I.
Torin Murphy loves me.
And I love him right back.
epilogue
TORIN
DIRTY HARRY’S FLOWER SHOP, MANHATTAN, WEST VILLAGE, THREE MONTHS LATER
I let out a deep sigh,leaning against the storefront that’s buzzing with construction workers while sharing a cigarette with Callahan.
“You know,” I say, handing back the cigarette and shoving my hands in my coat pockets, “Dec’s gonna want to call the place Clawzilla and Arnold Doggzanegger’s?—”
“That littlegobshite,” Callahan says, “The dog’s named Arnold. That’s it. Arnold Murphy.”
I’m not sure he hears how insane he sounds.
“Clawzilla Murphy?”
He narrows his eyes. “And?”
“Nothing,” I say. “How about Lucie Joy’s? That’s a name.”
“Christ, that sounds like a strip joint, which I’d definitely use her name for, but not a cat and dog café.”
Technically, it’s going to be an animal shelter, but one thathas more of a vibe to it. Where people can come and play with the animals, make friends, and then adopt.
“Frank and Joy’s,” I say with a laugh, referring to the fake names Cal and Lucie gave themselves the first night they met. I shake my head as he offers me the cigarette again. I want to go and feel up my wife inside of her flower shop next door, and she’s not a fan of me smelling like tobacco, or so she claims.
I think that’s her being a fucking brat.
“I like that.” He drops his cigarette, stamps it out, and gestures inside the shop to where Mam, Lucie, and Harry are making bouquets to be sold.
Mam’s visiting, so with her around, me feeling up my fucking brat of a wife might be a pipe dream until I can shuttle Harry into the back.
But we have time… and time feels good.
Inside, Mam and Lucie laugh over something Clawzilla’s doing, which is probably attacking something or trying to eat a flower.
Cal peers in and rolls his eyes at Lucie, who blows him a kiss. Arnold comes bounding out to give his master some love in the hopes of getting a walk. His ears perk up as Declan walks down the street, wearing the cat backpack and waving the diamond leash in front of him. Seamus is behind him, a hot redhead hanging off his arm.
Everyone rolls into Dirty Harry’s.
The redhead squeals as Seamus kisses Mam’s cheek and then Lucie’s and Harry’s. “You didn’t tell me you’ve got connections to the hottest flower shop in New York! This place is fire! Look at these creations. Hip, artsy, or a twist on trad. Like, totally… art.”
