Page 90 of His Nephew's Ex

“You and Alessandro,” he confirms. “With Mauricio handling external security, I can focus entirely on you both. You’ll have the freedom to make choices about your life again because we’ll have the manpower to ensure those choices are safe.”

The implications start settling in my mind like pieces of a puzzle. Another layer of protection, someone Simeone trusts absolutely, the possibility of reclaiming parts of my independence without sacrificing our security.

“You want me to be able to leave the estate again,” I say slowly.

“I want you to be able to choose whether to leave the estate again.” His voice softens. “Right now, this works—you, me, Alessandro, everything we need contained in one beautiful space. But people change. Needs change. When yours do, I want options that don’t require choosing between freedom and breathing.”

“And if I never want more than this?”

“Then we’ll make this place so fucking perfect you’ll forget there’s anything else worth wanting.” He reaches for my freehand, threading our fingers together. “But you’ll know it’s a choice, not a necessity.”

Alessandro finishes his bottle and melts against my shoulder like babies do when they’re completely satisfied. This moment hits me hard—our son breathing softly against my neck, Simeone’s fingers tangled with mine, morning light filtering through glass that keeps every threat at bay. It’s perfect in a way that makes my chest tight.

“What’s he like?” I ask. “This best friend who’s going to change our lives?”

“Dangerous,” Simeone says without hesitation. “Loyal beyond reason. Smart enough to complement my planning and ruthless enough to execute whatever needs doing.” He pauses, considering. “You’ll either love him immediately or want to throw something at his head within five minutes of meeting him.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” I tease.

“The difference is that Mauricio earned his arrogance through fifteen years of keeping his mouth shut under circumstances that would’ve broken weaker men.” His voice carries respect and something that might be affection. “He’s proven himself in ways most people never get the chance to.”

“When do I meet this paragon of criminal virtue?”

“Tonight. I’ll pick him up once he’s released and bring him here, before anywhere else. I want him to understand exactly what he’ll be protecting.”

“And you think I’ll approve of him?”

“I think you’ll recognize a kindred spirit,” he says quietly. “Someone who understands that some things are worth any sacrifice to protect.”

The conversation is interrupted by Alessandro stirring against my shoulder, making the soft sounds that usually mean he wants his father’s attention. I transfer him back to Simeone’s arms, watching as our son immediately settles into the security of his father’s embrace.

“Are you nervous?” I ask. “About seeing him again after fifteen years?”

“Terrified,” Simeone admits with characteristic honesty. “Prison changes people. I don’t know who he’ll be now, whether the man I trusted with my life still exists.”

“But you’re willing to trust him with ours.”

“I’m willing to give him the chance to prove himself worthy of that trust.” His eyes meet mine over Alessandro’s head. “And if he’s not, I’ll handle it the way I handle all threats to my family.”

The casual way he discusses potential violence should disturb me. Instead, it makes me feel safer, more protected, absolutely certain that nothing will ever be allowed to threaten the world we’ve built together.

“I love you,” I tell him, because in moments like this, it’s the only truth that matters.

“Ti amo, stellina,” he replies, the Italian endearment making my heart skip like it did the first time he said it.

As we sit in our beautiful home, our son peaceful in his father’s arms, I realize that this is what happiness looks like: not perfect circumstances or endless freedom, but the absolute certainty that you’re exactly where you belong with exactly the people who matter most.

The Silver Devil’s willing captive, raising the next generation of Codellas in a world built from love and choice and protection so complete it feels like benediction.

I lean back in my chair and watch my husband murmur nonsense to our son in rapid Italian, and I know with absolute certainty that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.

The End.