Page 81 of Sinful Mafia Prince

Dom frowned. “You said no. That the things I’ve done—”

“No.” Luca grinned. “I said yoursavingme wasn’t enough. But that plus everything that came after…that was more than enough to make up for everything else. I was already feeling things for you I couldn’t explain, but after that night, and then in Italy when you let me see behind the tough exterior, there was no coming back from that. Not for me.”

Dom reached for the hands on his face and covered them. “You’re probably going to need a lot of therapy for that.”

Luca laughed and nodded. “Probably.”

Dom took his laughing lips in a fierce kiss full of passion and something new to him…hope.

“What if we didn’t make this goodbye?” Luca whispered against his lips. “What if we made it a clean slate and started over?”

“Started over? As in…?”

“Well, what if I decide to be with you becauseIwant to. Not because you told me to.”

Dom’s heart practically stopped. He’d never put much stock in fates or future, but as Luca brushed his thumb across Dom’s lower lip, he almost wanted to believe they were each other’s.

“What if instead…I choose you?”

EPILOGUE

Luca

“ON ANOTHER NOTE, I’d like to commend you all on an incredible four years of hard work, dedication, and resilience. Your journeys are just beginning, and we couldn’t be prouder of the work you’ve done here.”

The dean of Yale Medical School looked out into the crowd, meeting the eyes of the students, and as his gaze landed on Luca, he smiled.

“It’s our honor to send you off into the world to make it a better place than when you found it. We know you’ll do us proud.”

As he continued with his speech, Luca looked over to where his parents sat in the stands, excitedly taking photos and videos. He thought back to high school graduation, when they’d done the same thing, and how embarrassed he was. But now, after everything they’d gone through in the last two years, he only felt the pride and love emanating from them.

He waved at them, and as his mom began to blow kisses, he chuckled.

How had he ever thought for a second that he would lose the relationship he had with them? After he’d found out they weren’t his biological family, he thought that meant everything would change, but it had only brought them closer. Without the big secret between them, there’d been no more lies, and he was able to confide in them about what had happened to him—and his time with no judgment, just complete understanding.

And on the school front, he’d thrived. Missing out on his first few weeks of rotations had only renewed his passion for his chosen profession, but this time, he hadn’t hidden himself away studying in his room twenty-four seven. After all, life was about balance, right?

“Let me be the first to congratulate you, our graduating class of 2024!”

Cheers erupted as the new class of doctors, Luca included, got to their feet. A heavy arm wrapped around his neck, pulling him in tight.

“I’ll be damned. We actually did it,” Silas said, grinning broadly when he finally let go.

“Well, we all knew I’d do it, but I expected your diploma to be from the local pub rather than Yale.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m picking that one up later.” Silas shot him a wink before someone grabbed him from behind and drew his attention away.

Luca shook his head as he watched his friend disappear into the crowd, wondering how in the hell he’d gotten one of his top three choices of residencies—and in pediatrics, no less. Turned out he was better with babies than actual adults.

Huh. Now that he thought about it, maybe that did make more sense.

He turned around, rising on his toes to see past the swarm of people who had made their way down onto the field, but it was impossible to find anyone. He pushed his way into the aisle, past all the people hugging and slapping high fives, and just as he was about to make his way up into the stands to get a better view, a pair of muscular arms wrapped around him from behind.

“Don’t even think about trying to get away,” a deep voice said by his ear.

Luca’s heart began to race, and he turned his head to look at his captor and smiled. “I would never.”

“Never? Now that’s a lie. I have a very clear memory of you racing through the back halls of Midas in an attempt to get away from me.”

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