Page 119 of The Freedom in Captivity

A hug. Such a simple hold, but so powerful. Her heart against mine, my face in her hair, breathing in everything she is. Happy to once again be able to claim this woman as mine.

“Now what?” she mumbles into my chest.

“One day at a time?”

I feel her nod with her head rubbing against mine. “That works.”

There’s never been anything to look forward to in my life. I’ve been content to live in the mansion, work when I’m called upon, and find my family within the organization.

But for once, I have something to truly live for.

And she’s in my arms.

* * *

Later that night, I’m called downtown for a meeting, so I leave Rozelyn in my room and take my bike down to The Elixir, a Corsetti-owned club. This meeting was without warning, so I have to wonder if something important is happening. It was a wide call-out though, so I know it’s not only to me.

I park behind the club, switching off the bike between Rafael and Rosen’s cars, and leave the helmet on the handlebars. Anyone with a brain cell knows not to go near any of the vehicles back here, so it’ll be safe.

Inside, I find a gathering of half of the Corsetti soldiers, and a few more are entering through the front entrance by the time I slink my way to the side of the room, finding an ideal position, close enough to the front where Nico and Lorenzo stand, watching the crowd, but far enough back I’m away from as many as possible.

Over the loud buzz of conversation, clinking at the bar steals my attention, and there’s Rafael lining up a few dozen shot glasses, pouring tequila into each one. He’s bouncing to some imaginary tune in his head, looking already halfway drunk.

A body sidles closer to me and I find Rosen leaning on the wall beside me, crooking a leg up and crossing his arms. “So you’re sticking with her then, huh?”

No definition ofherneeded. “Never shoulda gone without her. What’s all this?” I nod to the crowd, using them to change the subject away from my relationship.

He grins. “You’ll see.” Because of Rosen’s position, he gets to know a lot of the inner workings. More now probably since he’ll eventually be Nico and Rafael’s brother-in-law.

Once more people arrive, Lorenzo steps forward and with his single action, the room falls silent. All except Rafael’s clanging in the background.

“Thank you for coming on short notice. This won’t be long, but I have news to share.” With a heavy slap to Nico’s shoulder, who, if it was possible he could look nervous, does. At Rosen’s expanding grin, the purpose of this meeting begins to hit me. “As you’re all well aware of, when I made my son underboss, I began stepping back and spending more time with Caterina. Watching from the sidelines as he continued to lead this organization forward. In a short amount of time, he’s unearthed and taken down an enemy, healed and created new relations with the New YorkFamiglia, and found himself a wife. A strong woman who’ll stand beside him in the same manner Caterina stood beside me all these years.”

“Damn.” Rosen whistles. “He’s always had his dislike of Della, but fuck, she won him over.”

“Nico’s better with her.”

Like I am with Rozelyn. Something about finding your other half heals a wounded soul.

“And soon,” Lorenzo continues, “we’re all hopeful for an heir. In time, of course, but I have faith it’ll happen eventually.”

Nico rolls his lips together and nods. He shifts a fraction, a sign of nerves only a room full of people trained to monitor behaviours would catch, and I’m half-surprised Nico would give anything away like that.

“He’s worried about having a kid?”

“The pressure to ensure an heir, I think,” Rosen answers. “It’ll happen for them, I’m sure. Babies don’t exactly come up in conversation between us.”

I wonder if Rozelyn wants children one day.

I wonder ifIwant children one day. I’ve never had to think about it. Children and I live in opposite worlds and I couldn’t even begin to presume what they’d need from me. How to be a father.

“Which makes me extremely happy to announce,” Lorenzo’s voice grows louder, “that I have complete faith the organization will be in good hands. Next week, after the arrangement with New York is finalized and completed”—meaning when Ariella is wed to Rossi—“I will be retiring early and Nico will be your new Boss.”

If Lorenzo had more to say, he doesn’t get the chance because the room breaks out in chaos as cheers and whoops fill the club. Lorenzo’s held so much of their respect for decades; he’s a wise leader, and he’s trained Nico to follow so closely, the others are equally pleased to have him controlling things.

No cheer is louder than Rafael’s from the back, who finally finishes pouring the shots.

With a single palm in the air, Lorenzo silences the room again. “With Nico’s promotion, I’d like to also announce Rafael will be your new Underboss and Rosen, your new Capo.”

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