Page 106 of Worship
I watch Vincenzo put her in a car and tip his head to me, then Dante before getting in and leaving. The car pulls out, kicking up a bit of dust from the back road we’re on.
Dominic walks up to join us.
“What now, Luca?” he asks.
His hands are swollen from the beatings he gave tonight. But there’s a calm inside him. For men like us, aggression is necessary for the soul.
I look amongst their faces, and I know that everyone is waiting for direction.
For so long, I’ve existed behind the scenes, quietly maneuvering people like chess pieces. Today, I won.
But a family always needs a head, someone to light the way for everyone to find. So, I give them one, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
“Ask Dante. I’m going home to my girls. I’m done now.”
My words are met with a quiet understanding. Antonio pats me on the back once more, and Dom’s lips tug into a proud smirk. Each man nods to me, and I take a few steps back before turning and walking away from my past and into my future.
Six months later
“HEY!GRAB MY MONSTER!”I shout to Drew where she’s holding one of her twin boys.
Ella takes off running from the kitchen with the spoon I gave her to play with.
“Gotcha!” Luca’s voice booms as he picks her up, spinning her around.
He walks over to where I’m making dinner and kisses my reddened cheeks. “Looks like someone likes that word…a lot.” He winks at me, and I blush harder.
I whisper, “Be quiet!” and then roll my eyes at his laughing face.
He smacks my ass, making me jump.
“Luca!” I giggle. “Dinner’s ready, tell the crew,” I direct and gather everything I need.
“Dinner!” he yells out like a barbarian over his shoulder, and Ella copies him, making me laugh again.My loves.
Everyone gathers outside on the deck overlooking our lake. I take a pause, watching. It’s perfect. Luca and I decided to stay here at the lake house permanently. It’s two hours from the city, but it’s a paradise.
And with Drew, Blair, and I starting our own company, I work from home. Rose stayed on with us, but I amended her schedule so that I have plenty of time to work and play. Drew walks up and hugs me from behind, squeezing me tight, as Dante and Dom walk by holding the twins.
She rests her chin on my shoulder.
“Did you ever think you’d be here, G? A mom, in love? Living in the middle of nowhere?” She chuckles at the end.
“No, but then again, you don’t choose your family.”
She comes to my side and kisses my cheek.
“I love you,” she says.
“You too, boo.” I smile back.
We walk to the table, and the guys are laughing and arguing about something in Italian.
“Drew! Drew! You have to settle this,” Dante barks out, and she joins in, speaking smoothly in Italian.
The conversation takes over the table, none of which I can understand, as I set the food down and sit next to Luca and smile. He always translates when they get this way. I love it; it never bothers me, but I am excited to start taking Italian lessons.
“What are they saying?” I ask, laughing at all the animation happening between Dom and Dante.
