Five years later
Medical school was exhausting, and I’m finishing up my last year as an intern at one of the best trauma centers in the city. Being a full-time doctor, wife, and mom can be tiring, but it’s worth it. Not only do I get to save people, but I get to save the men for Carmine whenever they get into a scuffle.
Which are more times than not.
“I have a surprise for you,” Carmine whispers, helping me put on my jacket before we go outside. “The kids are with Uncle Ryan and Uncle Ari. I have you all to myself for the next few hours, but I’ve been working on something since we met.”
The last surprise I had was showing proof of Romano’s death. I had been too excited to know someone’s life was over, but I was glad. I was relieved.
I’m still relieved.
He had Romano killed for me, Ryan, and Christy.
There’s something very romantic about a man that will kill for you.
And Ryan quickly became part of our family when he came to us five years ago. He’s gone to school and has changed his last name to Milazzo with Carmine’s blessing. Carmine has taken him under his wing. Ryan is the youngest brother now.
“Color me curious,” I say with a raised brow.
“Good.” He opens the door. “Okay, don’t kill my kids. We will be back soon.”
Ari steps in front of us, two kids are hanging off his arms, and one is attached to his legs. Carmine kept me pregnant all through medical school, and I loved it. No one thought I could do both. My teachers and peers doubted me, but I showed them how wrong they were.
“Them?” Ari gapes at us. “It’s my life you need to be concerned about.”
“I’m only here for pictures,” Ryan says, lifting his phone to record. “You’re a great jungle gym, Ari.”
“I know.” He lifts the kids hanging on his arms in the air, and they chuckle, the noise music to my ears.
“Okay, we will be back. We love you.” Carmine kisses each head, two sons and a daughter. I know she’ll be a handful, and he will be overly protective.
He drags me out the door, the winter air harsh as it whips around us. We hurry to the car and jump inside. I groan when my ass is met with seat warmers. He remotely started the car.
This is why I married him.
“We will be back for dinner. I know your dad wants to see the kids.”
As we pull out of the gated driveway, I think back to all those years ago when I was forbidden to see my father. We’ve come such a long way since then. Dad and I have a better relationship; he is amazing with his grandkids. I know it took a lot for Carmine to give in and have that relationship form because all he ever wants to do is protect me, but he put those feelings aside for me.
“Where are we going?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.
“You’ll see.” He kisses my knuckles, and my eyes catch the ugly ring I picked out of spite. No matter how many times he says he’ll get me a new one, I tell him I don’t want a new one.
No ring could top this one, not with the meaning behind it.
The drive is about twenty minutes, and when we pull into the paved parking lot, I have to do a doubletake.
“Carmine…” It’s the motel my dad and I hid in after our house was shot. “It’s…” I have no words. It looks nothing like the motel we stayed in. Honestly, I haven’t given much thought to this place since. It didn’t hold good memories.
“It’s your new doctor’s office. I tore down the old building because it was not good enough for you. I made it two stories. Clinic and surgeries. Your private practice.”
“Why here? Why this place?”
“This was the place you hid from me. Your new journey started here, and I didn’t want it to end. All I knew was that I wanted to be a part of it. Do you like it, Sweetling?”
“I love it! Oh my god, are you kidding? I love it!” I jump out, not bothering to close the door and run around the car. When he steps out, I tackle him, peppering his face with kisses as he pushes me against the SUV.
“You want the grand tour?” he asks, kissing down my neck.
“Yes,” I groan.
“I can’t be held accountable if I find a flat surface to fuck you on.”
“We have to celebrate the right way, right?”
He swings me into his arms and rushes to the front door.
This is my life.
And I love every second of it.
Carmine Milazzo is the beast everyone believes him to be, but for me, he’s the man I’ve always needed.
