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“Best wedding presentever,”Niccolo grinned, then went back to talking.
“We all fought hard these last few months, and we all risked our lives in one way or another, but there’s one person sitting at this table wecouldn’thave won without. Not just because of the training he gave our men that allowed them to hold their own against Russian mercenaries… and not just the bravery he showed on the Isle of San Michele… but also because he saved the life of our oldest brother when they were in prison together. Literally,noneof us would be here right now if he hadn’t done that.
“I would like to propose that Lars be made a full member of the family – that he formally be given an equal vote whenever one is taken – and that he share equally in the family’s profits like the rest of us. Seven shares split equally amongst the seven of us and our wives. He can keep the agreement he made with you about refusing an order if it goes against his beliefs… but in all other ways, he would be the same as us. That is what I would like for my wedding gift, Don Rosolini.”
Lars looked shocked – and then he visibly choked up. His face reddened, his eyes got a little misty, and he looked down at the table as Niccolo finished speaking.
Rachel, who sat next to him, was delighted. She hugged her husband and kissed him on the cheek.
“Holy shit!” Adriano said with a laugh. “You got Lars all weepy, Nic!”
“I just got something in my eye,” Lars said.
“Yeah, RIGHT!”
“I don’t think I’ve everseenLars get choked up before!” Alessandra said in amazement.
“Well, enjoy it because this is the last time,” Lars joked.
The entire table laughed.
Then we all turned to Dario…
Who was grinning from ear to ear. “I wholeheartedly agree,consigliere.I have the authority to do everything you just said on my own – but on this topic, I would like a vote from the rest of you to confirm my decision: to make Lars our brother, one and the same as us.”
“HEAR, HEAR!” all my brothers roared.
Niccolo got up and walked over to Lars, who stood up and hugged him tight.
He whispered something in Niccolo’s ear – I think it wasThank you– and Niccolo pulled back and beamed. “Thank YOU. Foreverything.”
Then Niccolo walked over, grabbed a champagne glass, and lifted me from my seat by my hand.
“Thank you, Don Rosolini,” Niccolo said. “In addition, I would like to make a toast.”
“Is it gonna be as long as your wedding vows?” Valentino asked. “Cuz, dude, we don’t got all night.”
Niccolo shot him a look.
“Wasn’t about Sicily,” Val pointed out.
“…true,” Niccolo agreed with a grudging smile. “No, this one will be much shorter – I promise.”
Everyone raised their champagne flutes as they waited for him to speak.
“I want to make a toast to my beautiful bride, the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met. Thank you, Sofia, for bestowing on me the greatest honor of my life: you marrying me.”
My heart soared, and I grinned as he kissed me gently on the lips before returning to his speech.
“I’d also like to toast everyone here at this table and thank them for welcoming Sofia. It means more to me than you can possibly know.
“And finally, a toast to the most important thing of all –
“The thing that you’ve welcomed her into:
“Family.”
He lifted his glass. “To family.”
Speaking as someone who had lost her own family –
And maybe never even had a realone to begin with –
Niccolo’s words brought tears to my eyes.
Everyone murmured their agreement and clinked their glasses as we all spoke as one:
“To family.”