Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
When I look into Romeo’s eyes, I know he feels it too.
Pepe pronounces us husband and wife, and Romeo doesn’t wait for his cue. He sweeps me up into a kiss that lets me—and everyone else—know I’m his.
A chorus of cheers erupts around us, Beppe barks, and my heart swells even more in my chest.
“È sempre stata tu,” Romeo murmurs the words against my lips. “Sei mia. Per sempre.”
I echo it back to him, and in that moment, I know truer words have never been spoken.
It’s always been you. You’re mine forever.
EPILOGUE
GABRIELA
The midday sun casts a warm glow over the alfresco dining area, where Nonna Vitale has laid out a brunch fit for a queen. Technically, in our world, I suppose it is.
The girls and I sit together, sharing food and conversation while the Vitale men occupy their primal habitat, the outdoor gym. They were dealing with some kind of Mafia issue all night, so they got a late start.
We have a don’t-ask, don’t-tell policy regarding the details of their business. But since Angelo has taken over as don, I’ve surmised that most of what Romeo does for the Cosa Nostra takes place on his computer. Occasionally, he’ll disappear to the woodshed, and he does what’s necessary to protect his family. As long as he comes home safe, that’s all I care about.
He might be slightly unhinged, but I wouldn’t have him any other way.
I catch myself staring at him as he uses the parallel bars, lowering his insanely hot body into slow, controlled dips. Every inch of his inked chest is on display, while my favorite pair of black sweats hang low on his hips.
My eyes trace a path up his corded arms, over the prominent veins, all the way up to the tendons in his neck. The way his abs contract sends a shiver through me, reminding me of when he comes hard, the contractions pulsing through those ridges of muscle.
We’ve both been busy this week, and I’m eager to get him alone for an entire Sunday. But that will have to wait until tomorrow.
After graduation, I launched an independent label—Sunshine x Storm. Thanks to an invite-only show for IVI members, my twelve-piece capsule collection sold out as soon as it dropped. Now I’m working on expanding into some local boutiques and have also started taking on custom commissions.
I spend my days in my home studio, losing myself in hours of creative work. I love what I’m doing, and Romeo tells me often how proud he is. He even attended the show, which earned him more than a few curious glances.
At one point, one of the attendees cornered him, making no secret of her interest. Much to my annoyance, I’ve realized this is a common occurrence when your husband is god-tier hot. It doesn’t matter how dark and stormy his moods might be, it only seems to attract even more sidelong glances and flirtations.
He has one response on those occasions. Do you want to tell her, baby, or should I?
It makes my heart melt every time, and I do, in fact, tell them that he’s mine.
Sometimes my voice still shakes, but with practice, I really am getting better at using it. True to his word, Romeo is always behind me, his presence giving me the courage and strength I’ve always needed.
I haven’t heard from my family since their visit to the island, and in a weird way, it feels like they don’t even exist anymore. At least not in my head, criticizing my every move.
This is my family now, and they’re all I could ever want or need. We always show up for each other, and today is proof of that. This afternoon, the entire family will gather to honor their don, his queen, and their legacy.
Chantel casts a glance at the outdoor gym, her eyes lingering on Cristian a moment too long before she lets out an annoyed sigh.
“I bet they all fuck like gods.”
Abella and I exchange a look, each of us suppressing a laugh.
“Well, I can only speak for mine,” I say. “But can confirm he definitely does.”
“Same.” Abella rubs her pregnant belly. “How do you think I got myself into this mess?”
“What did you expect when you married a man with a breeding kink?” Chantel smirks.
“We know far too much about each other’s lives,” Mariella mutters.
“You’re welcome to spill your dirty little secrets,” Val replies. “We know you have them.”
“A woman has to keep some mystery.” She gives a little shrug.
“Mmm-hmm.” Chantel takes a sip of her mimosa, nearly choking on it as she glances at the gym again.
We all follow her gaze to find Romeo watching me with that predatory expression I know all too well.
“He looks at you like he wants to eat you,” Chantel says.
“Does he?” I smile. “Never noticed.”
“That man doesn’t see anything but you,” Abella muses.