Page 75 of Secret Mafia Daddy

“Right,” I say slowly.

“So, we swallow our pride and use them. We can still live the lifestyle that we’re used to, still keep in touch with friends. Right?”

I smile. “You’re right. I just didn’t think you’d ever accept money from your dad.”

He shrugs. “People make mistakes, right? He’s trying to be a good father now.”

“That he is,” I agree. “And he’s great with Chelsea.”

His father cooked her breakfast every morning that we stayed at his house, eating with her quietly before we ever got up, and they had a cute little bond now.

Angelo smiles fondly at Chelsea who’s still flying around on the bed. “Exactly. Chelsea deserves all the love in her life she can get.”

I look over at Angelo, and I feel so much love for him and for Chelsea I don’t know what to do with myself.

I grab Chelsea off the other bed mid-jump, making her giggle and I come back over to the bed and hug them both as tightly as I can.

“We’re going to make it,” I say, and Angelo smiles at me.

“Of course we are, kitten. We’ll make it together. Family is more important than anything else in the world,” he says, and I would never have imagined he’d say something like that.

“I love you, Angelo,” I say, and his brown eyes widen almost imperceptibly, his breath coming faster before a smile stretches across his face.

“I love you, Catarina,” he says, and for the first time, I believe it wholeheartedly.

Then he kisses me like it’s the first time, and I’m lost.

EPILOGUE

ANGELO

I’m getting ready for another party.

Well, kind of a party. It’s a kid’s birthday party, my daughter is turning five.

Everyone is there, all of our family, but the weird thing is: my wife is missing.

I’m having a panic attack in the back room when Dante comes in, clapping me on the shoulder.

“I need you to breathe, Angelo. She’s coming. Hell, Chelsea is here!”

“What if she doesn’t get here in time, Dante?” I croak. “What if—”

“She would never leave you alone at Chelsea’s party,” Dante insists, and I know that he’s right.

I’ll never forget that sinking feeling in my chest when I woke up at the penthouse and Chelsea and Catarina were gone, but I also know this isn’t even close to that.

We’re buying a new house (goodbye, bachelor pad) and I’m happy and I know Catarina is happy, too.

“I just got a call from Aurora,” Nico says, popping his head inside. “She’s got Catarina. They’re on their way.”

All the breath goes out of my lungs in a whoosh and I feel a little light-headed, grinning.

“She’s coming,” I breathe.

“She’s coming,” Dante and Nico say at the same time, and we all laugh and my chest feels less heavy.

I’m still really nervous, for some reason, but maybe that’s because now I know I’d die for this woman.

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