Page 133 of Nico

Her glimmering eyes raised to mine.

“You used me to get revenge.” Maybe it was my fear, but the accusation in her voice felt like a conviction.

“I did,” I confessed. “I was a blind idiot. A jackass.”

She nodded. “It wasn’t like you could trust me,” she whispered.

“I do trust you, Bianca. But even more, I want to protect you. Keep you safe, because losing you would cost me my sanity.”

Her dark eyes glistened; our gazes locked.

“Ever since I saw you in the club, I wanted you. When I found out you were Benito’s daughter… fuck, I saw it as an opening to take you for mine. But you were married. No matter what, I couldn’t curb this need for you. I schemed to use you through your husband’s weakness, but then I heard your conversation with William. He was dying. I decided I’d make you mine, after you had time to grieve.”

Her dark eyes shone with tears. “I didn’t save her,” she murmured, pressing her forehead against her mom’s.

“She saved you,” I wrapped my arms around her. “Like you would do anything to save your girls. And I would do anything to save all three of you. Because she loved you. And I love you.”

Her tear stained eyes met mine.

“You really do?”

“I love you, Bianca Morrelli. Always and forever.” A soft gasp and her eyes shone like diamonds. “You are my breath, my life, my everything. You and the girls,” I rasped, hoping she’d trust me in this. “I fucking want you forever. Until my last breath, you are it for me. I want to raise our family together, love you the way you deserve to be loved. And fucking kill anyone that even dares to look at our family the wrong way.”

Her eyes lowered to her mother. “She didn’t want me to be married to the mafia.”

“I can’t blame her,” I told her. “And if that is what you want, I’ll set you up. But let me do it the right way. So you and the girls are safe.”

“You’d let me go?”

Something in my chest cracked at the idea of letting her go. I didn’t know if I’d survive it, but if it made her happy, I would let her go. More than anything else in the world, I wanted to see her happy.

“Fuck, Bianca, I don’t want to let you go,” I said. “But if that will make you happy, I will. Just let me do it the right way.” I helped her lower her mother’s body. “Let her rest in peace. She would want you to be happy and safe.”

I pulled her up onto her feet and nodded to Bear. He was banged up but refused to be sent home. He wanted to see this through. He lifted the body as if he was lifting a child and walked out with her.

“We’ll wait outside,” Cassio and Luca murmured at the door, leaving us all alone amidst the chaos.

“You mean it?”

“I do, but which part specifically?”

“You love me?”

“Fuck yes, I love you.” My lips crashed against hers. “But I want your happiness more.”

Her body pressed against mine, her small hands wrapping around my torso.

“I love you too. So damn much.” She buried her head into my chest, right where my heart beat that belonged to her. “Everything happened so fast. I just want us to get to know each other.” I tensed at that. “No, not like a do-over, Nico. But to learn each other more than just in the bedroom. Because I want this connection with you for life.”

My restraint vanished and my mouth latched on to her lips. “I’m with you for life. Forever.”

All I needed was her.

EPILOGUE

Nico - One Year Later

The christening of Luciano’s newborn went off without a glitch. My wife’s eyes shone with emotions, her body leaning against mine. She was practically in my lap, just the way I preferred it. Our three-month-old sons were sound asleep, one in Bianca's arms and the other in my mother’s, who sat next to us.