Page 74

Cradling the tumbler of whiskey, I waited in the living room. The front door opened and closed, and then Lucian Ravello stood in the doorway. His gaze shifted over the scene. Nonna had poured an equally full tumbler for herself before creeping back upstairs for the night.

The don put his phone in his pocket. He’d been outside, speaking in Italian to someone long after the van pulled away.

“It’s done.”

I nodded, not particularly keen on letting him unpack that. “Okay. Good.”

“I want to tell you about it, but only if you want to hear it.”

“I do.” My voice wasn’t steady, so I repeated myself. “I do want to know.”

“His boss was grateful for the offering.” He paused, studying me. But he didn’t hold back or hide the truth. “We were already in an amicable relationship, but after my guys deliver your husband, we’ll have a solidified alliance with that famiglia.”

I took a very long, very deep breath. “Good.”

“Rose, I—I don’t know what else to say. Talk to me.”

He stepped forward and stopped himself. He pushed a hand through his hair, letting out a harsh breath.

“I’m at a loss for words too,” I offered, setting my drink down, and patting the seat next to me. “Why don’t you come and sit.”

“Are you sure?” His guard was up.

Which was understandable. Not that long ago, we’d been skating. Flirting. Dating. He was the man who broke into the house, and I was the single mom falling desperately in love with the man in the mask.

He’d told me he wanted me to know him, not his title.

I understood.

“I know your secret now, and I’m not running,” I breathed, giving him a shy smile.

“You should.”

I arched a brow. “Oh? And why’s that?”

His voice hardened. “You’re too good for this place, Rose. You said it yourself, you don’t want to be part of the underworld.”

“That was before I realized it was your world.” I rose and went to him. Lucian didn’t fight me when I reached for his hand and began to slowly pull him to the couch. “I’ve had time to come to terms that San Pietro Cove hides a thriving criminal organization. If things had continued, I would have told you before Christmas that I was more than okay with staying here.”

“You don’t mean that,” he muttered, voice filled with regret.

I gave him a shake and climbed onto his lap. “I do!”

He stared up at me, eyes blazing with a fierce fire.

“My family is from here. I’ve been fighting the call, but home has summoned me back. I’m part of this place—new to it—but still, I finally feel like we belong.”

Shifting my body, I leaned my cheek against his shoulder.

The silence began to weigh less as we breathed together. Lights from the tree blinked and danced across the room, lost in their own holly jolly rhythm. There wasn’t much else to say. Things would take time, but I knew they would sort themselves out.

“Lucian?”

His voice turned soft. “Yes, carina?”

“I love you.” I leaned up and pressed my lips against his. He sighed against my mouth, pulling me closer. Kissing him was my new favorite thing, and it wasn’t going to ever stop. But I had one more thing to say.

The monstrous mafia boss growled when I pulled back.