Page 163 of Dirty Mafia Torment
I step toward her until our bodies almost touch. “Please tell me I didn’t fuck this up. Please say we can move forward from our past.”
“Renzo.”
“Fina. I love you, only you. Always have but was too fucked up to see it. I had to learn to love myself before I could recognize it.”
Her lips part, a sharp intake of breath trembling between us. Her eyes flash like she’s been struck, my love bomb blasting away the lingering hurt and everything else holding her back.
I want to grab her and hug her so tight while the rest of the world fucksoff.
Tears spill down her cheeks in quick, furious streaks. “Is that why you did it?”
“Did what?”
“Murdered Carlo?” Her voice cracks, shattering the air between us.
Well, shit. “Who told you?”
“Your brother.”
My brows lift. “Sandro?”
Her soft laugh is edged with disbelief. “He came to the restaurant while you were in Rhode Island. Told me what you did for me. How you risked your father’s reputation with the famiglie, the repercussions you’d have faced for killing Carlo and not being a made man. You gave me a chance at a new life.”
“Yeah, I should have taken care of Emo Accardo too.”
“Revenge made him unhinged. No one could have predicted he’d stalk me or try to take down the strongest capos in the Eleven and Cosa Nostra.”
“My father appreciated the warning you gave him about his fence.”
She swipes at her tears. “Advice, he calls it.”
“He likes you.” I close the distance and pull her against me. “I’m sorry.”
Her head dips in a nod.
“Listen, Fina. A future with me means you’re back in the Life. I’ve got demons I’m battling with a therapist’s help. You witnessed my violent streak, how I coldly kill without hesitation. I’m twisted, bent, and nothing about life with me will be easy.”
“Fine.” Her breath warms my neck. “The answer’s no.”
“Is that right?” I demand. The answer is never no. I’ve a talent for wearing people down and, as stubborn as she is, I’m always up for the challenge.
“Can we start over?” Her whisper, fragile yet defiant, carries the weight of months lost. Like she’s wavering between believing I’m thesame man who left her and the one who now stands before her, heart in fucking hand.
“You can start over, babe. For me, you never ended.”
She pulls back, eyes searching mine.
And then, her lips twitch.
“Is that why you bought a ring?”
What. The. Hell?
Yeah, I bought a massive, in-your-face engagement ring from a Roman jeweler days ago. Like I said, no isn’t in the cards for us.
“You stalking me again?”
She shrugs, a hint of defiance in her eyes.
