Page 136 of Dark Breaker

Spurts of blood erupt from the Jackal’s chest as rounds from a high-power rifle penetrate him from behind. He drops to his knees, his eyes full of surprise and disbelief, then collapses.

Holding a rifle, Luciano stands in the entrance behind him. He rushes inside, followed by Massimo and Nicolo.

My brothers come to me. “Are you all right?”

But I don’t answer and go to Fabio instead—he hasn’t gotten up yet. I hold his hand. “You’re going to be all right.”

He nods. “Just need some time to catch my breath after that chokehold.” He smiles then, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all day. “Did I mention I love you?” He reaches up to cup my chin. “I was so afraid I’d never get to tell you again. But I love you.”

I shed tears of joy. “I love you too.”

I lean forward to kiss him.

And I know everything is going to be all right.

Epilogue

Fabio

I’m loungingnext to the infinity pool of my luxury hotel suite. I picked up the penthouse room, which includes this private pool.

Rosa is lounging beside me. We’re on the island of Corsica. Finally having our long awaited honeymoon.

I’m watching the widescreen TV next to the pool and viewing the Palermo mayoral results. The votes just came in a few moments ago and the winning candidate is about to be revealed.

“Filippo Vicari is the new mayor of Palermo!” the TV anchor announces.

Using the remote, I turn off the TV.

Rosa swivels toward me. “So you’re chosen candidate won after all.”

“With the Jackal gone, we had no one else to throw a wrench into our plans,” I reply.

“And the influence of my brothers and the Amatos didn’t count for anything, right?” she says with a wink

I laugh.

“Nope,” I say teasingly. “It was all me.”

Father finally put me in charge of the family after her brothers described my “heroics” during the fight against the Jackal. Father was extremely proud, saying I’d finally proven my worth. Whatever.

The confrontation did strengthen my business relationship with Rosa’s family and the Amatos, however. They truly considered me a real ally after that fight. Again, for my “heroics.”

But I don’t think I did anything heroic. It was all Rosa, as far as I’m concerned. She was the heroic one.

Well, if I’m being honest, we were probablybothheroic. I’ll leave it at that.

Yes, we succeeded in saving each other. I used to worry that I wouldn’t be able to protect her, but I know now that I don’t have to fret about that. Together, we can overcome anything.

I can now love her freely, without fear of reprisal, as she deserves. I can get attached.

“I think I’m pregnant by the way,” she announces.

I smile at her. I already suspected. We’ve been fucking so much since that encounter with the Jackal I’d be surprised if she wasn’t. “Good. I want to have ten kids with you.”

“Ten?” she says. “Come on. Cut me some slack. Three is the max. Maybe four.”

“All right, eight then,” I say.