Page 52 of The Mobster's Nanny

“Oh, right, Dad told me we’re having a family dinner tonight,” Misha says with a grin, looking proud of himself for knowing the secret. Well, it’s not that much of a secret—for everyone except Liss and Romeo.

“Really?” She looks at me with raised eyebrows, this time looking actually suspicious, but I only shrug with a chuckle.

“It’s been a while since we gathered together, right?”

Liss looks like she’s about to say something, but Max distracts us, waving his arms at Riccardo and Elena showing up in the parking lot. Louis follows closely behind them, and I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of all three cars following each other to the restaurant. Wait, what if they want to have a street race?

Louis is the one to offer it, of course, but Sasha quickly reminds him that we all have children in our cars and he himself should learn how to grow up. I decide not to tell her that I was ready to accept his offer if only to release some of the pent-up energy growing and circling inside of me. God, I can’t believe the last two weeks of preparations are over, and today has finally come.

Apparently, even Liss notices the thrill in my behavior because, halfway to the restaurant, she glances at me with a quirked eyebrow. “Is everything okay?”

I hum, keeping my focus on the road to tone down my excitement. “Of course. Why?”

“I don’t know. You seem kinda restless.” Liss eyes me for a moment, but I say nothing—I can’t say anything, not yet—so she shrugs and turns away. “Anyway, what’s going on?”

“Yes, where are we going?” Romeo adds from the backseat, writhing to lean forward between our seats. “You haven’t told us anything!”

“We’re going to the lakefront. I made a reservation for a family dinner.”

“Oh.” Liss hums, raising her eyebrows, and shares a quick glance with Romeo before turning to look at me. “What’s the occasion?”

I shrug, my heart beating faster from the lie on my tongue. “Just to spend time together and celebrate your progress. You know everyone, but you haven’t had a chance to hang out with them yet. I think it’s important for you to feel like you belong.”

For a moment Liss says nothing, but when she finally does, I can hear a smile in her voice. “Thank you. I want to be a part of your family too. Although I wish you had warned me beforehand—because now I have to show up at the restaurant looking like this.”

She pointedly gestures at herself, sounding displeased, and I look at her with a cheeky grin. “Don’t worry. You’re always the most beautiful to me.”

And as always when I say something cheesy, Liss demonstratively rolls her eyes, but I see the corner of her lips curl into a smile. God, I adore her.

Even though nobody has agreed to race, Louis arrives at the restaurant first and points it out with a very proud expression. Riccardo and I only exchange a meaningful look and walk to the entrance of the restaurant without a single comment. Louis huffs and grumbles behind us, sounding like a grumpy child, and I can’t help but chuckle, sharing an amused glance with Liss.

Well, I hope she’s ready to be a part of this family.

The restaurant I chose is one of the most luxurious ones, settled right at the lakefront, with a spacious patio opening up to the view of Lake Michigan spreading all the way to the horizon. As a member of the Messina family, I value our privacy over everything else, so I reserved the whole restaurant just for tonight.

Apparently, the waiters and cooks have an idea of how important their guests are because they line up to greet us at the entrance and all but dance around us to make sure everyone feels comfortable. Paolo and Jacinta join us sometime after the drinks are served, and soon enough, the waiters bring out the dishes, each smelling better than the next.

The grill is working full-on, a band is playing live music in the corner, the glasses are overflowing with wine, and it doesn’t take long for the boisterous nature of our Italian roots to come through. The evening gets loud and merry—but I keep myself at bay, avoiding alcohol, and only watch Liss as she makes her way into our circle.

Over the course of the evening, I can see her loosening up, releasing her tension and allowing herself to have fun with everyone else as if they were her family. She doesn’t have her own, so I doubt she’s experienced something like this…ever. And that’s why it warms my heart to see her being relaxed and accepted as one of the Messinas.

Unlike everyone else, I don’t lose track of time and I notice when the waiters come to collect the plates and prepare the tables for dessert. My heart immediately tightens up, and I have to take a deep breath to calm myself before standing up from my seat. I just have to do it. It’s going to be alright.

It’s not like it’s the first time I’m going to propose to the woman I love, right?

Well, damn it. That really doesn’t make it easier.

“Hey, everyone,” I raise my voice over Louis arguing with Jacinta about the best Mexican restaurant in Chicago, looking at each of the guests one after the other to make sure that I have their attention. I’m not one who likes to be in the center of it, but tonight I have to do this.

My gaze lingers on Liss who looks up at me with curiosity from the seat next to me. Her eyes are sparkling from the fairy lights hanging above us, her smile is so beautiful, and I gain confidence from the sight of her. No matter what her response will be, deep inside, I know that I want no one else but her.

“While we’re getting ready for dessert—yes, Max, there will be a cake—I just want to take a moment to thank you all for coming tonight. It’s been a while since we’ve all gathered together like this, and it’s the first time Liss has joined us.”

I pointedly look at her, and Liss smiles shyly, looking around, and leans back in her seat as if trying to hide. Louis happily whooping from the other side of the table doesn’t make it easier for her.

“As you all know, she is very special to me,” I continue in a softer voice, and from the corner of my eye, I notice Elena and Sasha exchanging a knowing look with smiles on their lips. “Things might have been a little bit complicated when we met, but I think we dealt with those complications just fine. I think that whatever ugly destiny led us to each other, in the end, it created something beautiful.”

Shit. Am I rambling? I feel like I’m rambling—but at the same time, it feels so important to say it all. Thankfully, my words are met with enthusiasm and even some applause, and only Liss’s expression shifts into one of caution and confusion. She feels that something’s going on, but does she understand what it is?

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