Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
She looked up at me as I took my place, her smile warm and calm, like she belonged here too, not as an accessory to my life but as an integral part of it. Matteo sat beside her, leaning close and whispering something that made her laugh softly.
He watched her like she was the best thing he’d ever known. And maybe she was. The love that showed between them never failed to steal my breath. He’d been so young when Sofia died, and he’d never had that motherly connection with any of his previous nannies. Not even with Aunt Valentina.
California would be a big adjustment for Ren, I knew it as well as she did, but she’d already made herself at home in small ways. She asked questions to make sure she understood everything before she made any changes around the house. She learned and watched and did her best to fit in without changing who she was.
It only made me love her more.
Dinner was a chaotic affair with bottles of wine flowing freely, loud conversations at every end of the table, and smiles all around while some Italian opera played softly as background music. Everyone was happy that tensions had eased, but they needed to hear the words.
From me.
I stood. “For years,” I began, my voice carrying easily across the room, “this family has weathered storms because we understand, we have always understood, that loyalty isn’t optional. It’s survival.”
Murmurs of agreement rolled around the table.
“The Russians are still a problem,” I continued. “But without inside information, their leverage has vanished. Their operations in Southern California are slowly unraveling. They think they’re still in charge, but for every move they make, we hit back just a little harder. They will learn, quickly, that they cannot fuck with the DeRossi family.”
Laughter and applause followed, loud and approving.
“To do so means an untimely end.” I smiled back at all the happy faces and raised my glass. “To family and friends, those still here with us and those who are not. To the past that shaped us and the future we protect fiercely. To old family and new.” I smiled as expected, but I couldn’t help thinking about my father, my wife, and even my cousin—three people who should have been here but weren’t. This life demanded choices, and not everyone survived those choices.
It was the nature of this life.
Cheers roared around the room, and more bottles of wine were opened. This was what it was all about, the fighting and the deals—it was to protect this. Family.
My family.
When the room settled once more, I reached for Ren and tugged her to her feet with a soft smile, wondering what I’d done right that the universe had given me a second chance with her.
She looked at me as she stood, eyes bright and trusting as I pulled her close, hooking one arm around her waist. “What are you up to?” she whispered.
“Serenity Majors,” I began, ignoring the way my heart pounded in my chest. My arm tightened around her, grounding myself in the feel of her soft curves pressed against my side. This was where she belonged. Where she’d always belonged. I should’ve fought for her. “This woman kept my son safe so I could focus on protecting everything my father, and his father before him, built.”
The room stilled.
“She is the reason I am standing here today.”
I felt her inhale sharply as all eyes turned to her.
“And soon,” I added, slowly meeting her gaze, “I hope she will be my wife.”
A collective gasp rippled through the room.
“Enzo,” she whispered, shock softening her voice.
A smile tugged at my mouth, and I leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I promise a better proposal later, but I needed everyone to know my intentions.”
Her hands tightened around mine. “I love you.”
“Love you more,” I replied, leaning down to kiss her until the room erupted in applause and whistles.
As I pulled back, I caught Matteo grinning up at us, utterly delighted.
In that moment, I understood what my father had meant all those years ago.
Power wasn’t just territory or fear or control.
It was having something or someone worth protecting.
And this time, I intended to protect it all.
With everything I had.
Epilogue
Serenity — 6 months later
“You are not working on your wedding day,” Toni said firmly, plucking my phone from my hand with a look that brooked no argument.
“I’m not working,” I protested, laughing even as I reached for it again. “I just needed to confirm that the signed lease was received.”
She raised a brow. “That’s the definition of working.”
I sighed, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Fine. Last-minute work, and now I’m done. I swear it.” Starting a California branch of ENS had been exhilarating and overwhelming in equal measure. The need out here outpaced Texas by a factor of ten, and three months in, I already had a larger staff than I’d ever managed before. It was exactly the kind of problem I liked to solve.