Keeping his bride

E P I L O G U E

Verona

Three Years Later

T

HE WAITING IS the worst part. And I’m not talking about just waiting in Luca’s office, staring at a computer screen and waiting for something to happen. I mean the past three years that we’ve been waiting for this very moment. Constantine Carbone’s empire has finally fallen. He was arrested two weeks ago; and thanks to Luca’s drone video surveillance, we’ve managed to locate yet another group of captives who were about to be sold into human trafficking.

Constantine Carbone’s arrest came on the heels of years of investigation by the FBI that Luca and I were involved in. Luca submitted everything he had on Constantine, anonymously, of course. He still dabbles in some illegal activities that he doesn’t want to draw unwanted attention to, but I think he’s slowly coming to the realization that doing things aboveboard is a lot easier…and safer. And

lately that seems to be the only thing he cares about – keeping our little family safe.

We watch patiently from the drone footage as women and children are freed from shipping containers at the abandoned warehouse that Constantine kept them in. If it weren’t for Luca’s anonymous tip, who knows if they would have ever been found. Constantine certainly wasn’t admitting to anything since his arrest and definitely wasn’t willing to spill any information that could lead to more charges.

“You’re their guardian angel,” I tell Luca, leaning over to give him a kiss on his cheek.

He doesn’t say anything in response, but I can see the smile creeping onto his face. I know he’ll never admit to it, because he still has a reputation to uphold, but my husband has a heart of gold. Luca has donated a lot of money to help fund the shelters that the women and children go to after they’re rescued. He not only saved their lives but made sure they had the extra help and care they needed afterwards.

Luca turns off the footage. “That should be the last of them,” he says, and I can almost feel the relief coming off of him in waves.

It’s been a long and arduous process, but Constantine is finally behind bars where he belongs. And the people he was trying to sell are finally rescued. We did as much as we could, and now it’s the judicial system’s turn to lock Constantine away and throw away the key.

The office door suddenly bursts open, and Nico charges through it with Benito quick on his heels. “Mommy!” he cries.

My little toddler waddles over to me with big, fat tears rolling down his chubby cheeks. He runs straight into my arms, and I scoop him up and squeeze him tight. “What’s wrong?” I ask him. “Did you miss Mommy and Daddy?”

He nods his head, and his tears instantly start to dry up. I comb my fingers through his dark hair as he looks up at me with intense, gray eyes. He’s a total miniature version of his daddy. “Thank you for keeping him busy while we dealt with this, Benny,” I tell him with a smile.

Benito looks out of breath as he walks over to the desk. “I tried to keep him occupied as long as I could, but he said no to everything I suggested,” he says with a huff. “I liked it better when he was a baby and slept all the time,” he admits.

I can’t help but chuckle. Benito has been the best godfather we could ask for. He’s so protective of his little godson, never letting him out of his sight. Who knew he would be so great with kids? Nico and him are best buddies, and I often hear Benito reading books to my little man when he thinks no one is around. Benito doesn’t want anyone to know he’s a big softie when it comes to our son, and I think it’s so cute.

Nico squirms in my hold, and I gently put him down on the floor. He runs straight for Benito and grabs onto his leg, mimicking wrestling moves against the big man. Benito plays along, and Nico squeals with laughter as Benito lifts him high up in the air before carefully bringing him back down to his feet.

“You don’t miss the crying and sleepless nights, Benito?” Luca asks.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Benito is distracted with Nico, but he shakes his head.

“No, I think I prefer that over the terrible twos.”

“Good. Because Verona is pregnant.”

Benito’s eyes bulge out of his head as his gaze snaps up to meet Luca’s. “Wh-what?”

“We’re hoping for a girl this time, but another boy will be just fine too,” I say while rubbing my flat stomach. I’m not far along, so I’m not showing just yet.

“Maybe it will be twins,” Luca suggests.

“Oh, god. Can you imagine?” I ask.

“No!” Benito blurts out, and that makes us laugh. Even though he loves Nico, I don’t think he could handle two of him at the same time.

“Whatever we have, they will be loved,” Luca says, placing his hand over mine.

“Yes, they will,” I agree.

Nico runs over to us, and Luca lifts him up in his arms.

“Love you, Daddy,” he says sweetly.

“I love you too,” Luca says.

I like to think that Nico and I together have taught Luca that loving someone is the easy part. It’s getting their love in return that is hard. But Luca never has to worry about us not loving him back. We love him unconditionally, and I know he loves us just the same.

THE END

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