“I had to find her. It wasn’t an option.” I would have looked for her until I took my dying breath.

“Good to hear. So, you want to be permanently set here?”

I had stated that on more than one occasion, but with everything going to shit, we had never had a chance to discuss it.

“Yes. I’m not going back, sir.” I knew I was digging myself deep here because no one talked to him that way. Regardless, I was hoping, since it was his daughter, he would understand. “I love her. I’m not leaving her again.”

We sat in silence as Sal stared at me as if he were weeding into my brain. I stayed strong, never wavering from his stare as I waited for him to speak.

“Who do you suggest run California?”

“Diego. He’s been my right hand for years, and he loves it there.” I knew he would know exactly what needed to be done and when. I knew his sons and nephews weren’t an option because Sal wanted them close to home, especially after what happened to Catarina. I understood that.

“Done.” He sat back in his chair while I stared in shock for a bit.

That was it? Nothing else to it? Just done?

“Don’t look at me like that. You are good for my girl, but it still stands. If you hurt her, I’ll fucking kill you and not think twice about it.”

I’d never had a doubt.

“Never. I’ll always protect her.” I stopped for a moment. “What about my position in the organization?” The thought had never occurred that I would be demoted until that moment. That was something I didn’t fucking want at all.

“Same unless you prove otherwise,” Sal stated matter-of-factly.

“I won’t.”

“I have faith you won’t. Now go. I have shit to do.”

I snickered, getting up from my chair. Finally, shit was going right in my life.

 

Epilogue

Three Months Later

I PLACED THE phone receiver down on the cradle, taking a calming breath. These past three months had been a bit of a whirlwind. Jag had now fully moved in with me and had these grand ideas of marriage. Not that he had asked, but if he did, I wouldn’t say no. I loved him, even if he was a demanding, annoying jerk sometimes. I loved those parts, too.

Jag had flown his mother here to meet me about a month before. We had been going to take a trip there, but I just couldn’t do it. Just the thought of the confines of the plane and not being able to escape made me a basket case. Being chained to a bed and not allowed to move for days could do that to a person, but the good thing was that my nightmares had calmed down significantly. Now I wasn’t so terrified to go to sleep. There were nights when I didn’t even think about it, and those were the best.

Jag’s mom was a very lovely woman, but her eyes showed quite a bit of heartache. Every time she looked at her son, though, she lit up. I liked seeing that part. She stayed for a week then went back to Cali. I could tell from Jag’s moodiness a few days later that he was having a hard time with her leaving. It always made me wonder if he would leave and go back across the country, so I asked him. He told me that he would never leave me again, that the only way he would go was if I wanted to, and I believed him.

A knock on my office door drew my attention.

“Come in.”

In stepped my handsome man. His denim eyes and shaggy hair mixed with his tight as sin muscles still had my insides quivering.

“Hey, dolcezza. You ready?”

I smiled, gathering up the last of my things quickly. We were due for dinner that night at my father’s house.

“Absolutely.” I walked around the desk after picking up my bag.

Jag grabbed my waist, pulling me to his body before crashing his lips to mine. I would never get tired of his taste on my lips.

“I love you,” I whispered when he pulled away.

“I love you, too, dolcezza, and tonight, I’ll show you how much.”

***

“Rina, you do not need to help me!” my mom exclaimed as she walked into the kitchen. “I will get all of those.”

The sudsy water sloshed over the sink as I wiped each plate and cup from dinner. Mom had outdone herself once again, making homemade tortellini and sauce, lasagna, and fettuccine alfredo. I knew there were a lot of mouths to feed, but she had really gone overboard judging by the amount of leftovers I had just packed up and put in the fridge. I had snuck some to take home, too. There were reasons to help with dishes.

“Oh, Mom, just let me help. It’ll go a lot faster if we do it together.”

Mom sidled up to me, her forehead crinkled like she wanted to disagree. Mom always had a certain way of doing things—her way. Sometimes, we kids would do it right, but most of the time not.

She let out a deep breath. “Fine.”

We fell into a comfortable silence and worked together quickly.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into hard, muscled flesh. “Hey, dolcezza, come in the living room with me?”

I nodded, closing my eyes and enjoying his warmth. He let go, stepping back, and I was instantly sad, missing his touch.

I finished washing the sink out hastily then grabbed a towel to wipe my hands.

“Okay.” I smiled up at him, seeing his face with the same smile I had fallen in love with over a year ago.

“You, too, Mrs. Lambardoni.” He nodded to Mom who followed behind.

Making our way to the living room, I noticed my brothers were giving each other shit for God knew what. Dad was sitting back, watching the show, just waiting for when he had to voice his disapproval.

Jag stopped and wrapped his arms around me as I did the same. I rested my head on his heart, listening to it beat; the sound always calmed and soothed me.

“Can I have your attention?” I jumped when Jag spoke, but he held me securely to his chest. “As you all know, I am in love with your daughter and sister. She is the light in my world and the star in my life. I will protect her until my last breath and love her just the same.”

When Jag pulled out of my grasp then went down on one knee, my hand flew to my mouth as a loud gasp left me. My eyes never strayed from Jag’s. Even though others were in the room, they didn’t exist in that moment. Butterflies started a war in my stomach.

“Catarina, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Tears rolled down my cheeks. My heart clenched and filled with so much love in that moment I thought it would burst into a million pieces. “Yes.”

Jag smiled, reaching into his pocket. “Give me your hand, dolcezza.” I held out my hand, and he laughed. “I need the left one, babe. That’s kinda how this works.”

Shit. I quickly switched out my hand, and Jag slid a ring onto my finger. Then he held my hand and kissed it once before he held it up for me to see.

I couldn’t breathe, really couldn’t breathe. I thought I just might faint. I had no idea how big the diamond was, but it was princess cut with diamonds around the band. It was absolutely stunning.

“It’s beautiful.”

He stood up and wrapped his arms around my body. “Not as beautiful as you.”

I held onto him, allowing the tears to free fall.

“I love you,” I whispered into his chest.

“I love you, too. And you know the best part?” I pulled away slightly, looking into his eyes. He moved to my ear. “Now I get to fuck you anytime I want for the rest of our lives,” he whispered softly.

I laughed. I guess he could, and I couldn’t be happier.

~THE END~

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Acknowledgements