Page 56 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

Lucifer chased the ball across the yard as Titus stayed by Harlow’s side.

When Harlow was with me, the vicious killers I raised turned into docile puppies, but I knew if anyone attempted to harm her, they would attack.

They loved Harlow just like I did, but I thought my wife loved my dogs more than me.

Harlow crouched down as Lucifer brought her back the ball and he licked her face.

She kissed his head before looking at me.

I loved this woman. There was no denying it.

To think, five months ago, I had every intention of killing her.

I never expected the broken woman I took from Vincenzo would be the missing part of my soul, but here I was, in love like my life was pulled out of a fairytale.

She said I gave her strength, but in all honesty, she was the one who healed me every single day.

I wouldn’t have wanted my life to be any different.

I wanted a future with her, but first, I wanted a real marriage.

“Harlow,” I called, and she walked toward me. “What do you think about us getting married?”

“We’re already married.”

I took her hands. This wasn’t a proposal, it was just a question. “I want to marry you again.” She smiled brightly. “I want it to be real. I want you to plan your dream wedding, and I want to give you a real proposal.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And we never got to have a honeymoon, so wherever you wanna go, we will.”

“How long will we be able to stay somewhere?”

“I can make sure things are okay here and leave Malachi in charge. Him and Luca do a good job together. After we get rid of Vincenzo, I won’t have to worry anymore. What do you have in mind?”

She smiled at me brightly. “All of Europe. Spend a few days in each place. See hidden gems that aren’t overpopulated.”

“Why Europe?”

“It’ll be for my mom, too. She got pregnant with me at a young age.

She had dreams and goals. When she turned eighteen, she wanted to explore the world, but then the condom that my parents used broke, and I came around.

Mom was barely sixteen and my dad was eighteen.

When I was old enough, we were gonna go together.

My sixteenth birthday, we were going to get our passports and go for the summer, but it never happened.

Now that I am free, I want to enjoy my life and remember my mom. ”

A broken condom.

Vincenzo was thirty-five, so he was only ten when Harlow was born.

Did her father have a debt with the Mancini family and offered a child as collateral, or did he do something when she was older that cost Harlow and her mom their freedom?

I needed to figure out why they were used as collateral in the first place.

What did her father do? There were still so many questions that needed answers.

“I am going to make all your dreams come true.”

“You are more than enough,” she said, grabbing my hand. “I am happy because of you. I am free. But I do expect a real proposal.”

“Public or intimate?”

“Romantic. Surprise me, but I’m fine with how we are now. We don’t have to rush. We might technically be married, but I want to enjoy the honeymoon phase more, and I still have healing to do. I’m getting better, but I’m still having bad days.”

“And I’ll be there to help you.”

I woke up the next morning with Harlow cuddling against me.

Lucifer was by our feet and Titus was at her back.

I turned in the bed, careful not to wake her up.

Watching her was one of my favorite pastimes.

The way the morning sun traced her body was something artists would paint.

Harlow was a masterpiece in her own way.

Strands of her dark hair fell across her cheek, and I stopped myself from pushing the strand from her face. I wanted to watch her a little longer.

She looked delicate, but I knew the snarky fire beneath the softness.

Watching her grow into the strong woman she was now made me proud to call her mine.

She was no longer the meek girl I saved from Vincenzo.

She was like a phoenix rising from the ashes, dripping in fierce strength.

There were good days and bad days with her healing, but for the last few weeks, she hadn’t had a nightmare or been paralyzed with a flashback.

We also hadn’t heard from Vincenzo since his video.

It didn’t mean we were out of danger. Vincenzo was plotting; we just had to be ready for when he struck, but I would be by her side through every trial and tribulation.

I never thought I’d fall in love. After I witnessed the pain and agony my father experienced, I never wanted to feel that type of anguish.

But fate had a different plan for me. Her chaos met mine, and together they curbed something inside me.

I now knew the kind of love that made people crazy, that made them kill for their lover.

The type of love that poets wrote about.

My feelings for Harlow were the type of love that could ignite galaxies.

I already knew I would kill for her, but I would burn the whole goddamn world for her.

“You’re staring,” Harlow mumbled.

“I’m admiring. There’s a difference.”

She wrapped her arms tighter around me and snuggled into me more.

I kissed her temple and let her fall back asleep.

We had today, and tomorrow I would tell my father that I was staying married to her.

Of course, if Harlow wanted to. My future involved Harlow being my wife until we took our final breath.