“I believe so. Or maybe it was a conscious decision. Another way to permanently punish me for my affair. Every time he refused to acknowledge you or he was hurtful and cruel, it destroyed me. I think he continued doing it for that reason.” Georgia shrugs. “Maybe, in the end, he said it so much it became his gospel and the only truth in his head.”
The conversation pretty much ends after that depressing news, and Sierra shows her Mom to one of the guest rooms while I slip into bed beside my son. His small hand is tucked under his cute face. For the first time in a week, his face shows no sign of unhappiness and he looks settled and at peace.
Sierra pads into the room, and I watch her undress with hungry eyes.
“Stop that,” she whispers, stifling a yawn as she pulls a silk nightie on over her gorgeous body. “I’m already horny without your heated stare undressing me.”
“We could go to one of the spare bedrooms, and I can take care of you,” I murmur, getting out of the bed to retrieve the box from my pants.
“As tempting as that is, Mr. Mazzone,” she says, resting her head on my chest. “I’m absolutely exhausted. I just want to sleep with my two favorite people close to my side.”
“We’ll take a rain check,” I say, removing the ring and sliding it on her finger.
“Oh my God,” she whispers, looking at the glistening diamond and emerald ring. “Where did you get this?”
“When Brando told me how she destroyed your ring, I was enraged. I called the jeweler and had him make you another one.”
“It’s different,” she says, “but I love it as much as I loved the other one.”
“I didn’t know if you’d want a permanent reminder of what she did, so I asked him to alter the design a little.” The emerald shaping is different, and he placed a fine row of tiny diamonds on the platinum band.
“It’s perfect.” She stretches up on tiptoe and kisses me.
“You’re perfect.” I dot kisses all over her face before gently cupping her cheek. “Do you still want to go ahead with the wedding next week or—”
She cuts me off with a kiss. “Yes. I don’t care if everything isn’t arranged. I just want to marry you, Ben. I don’t care about anything else.”
Warmth spreads across my chest as I hold her against me. “I can’t wait to call you my wife. Nothing else matters to me either.” She yawns, and I reluctantly let her go. She’s exhausted, and I need to let her sleep.
Sierra gets in beside Rowan, and I crawl in behind her, tucking the covers up over all of us. I know she positioned Rowan on the left side of the bed so she could be close to him and me at the same time. Snuggling against me, she takes my arm, draping it over her waist, before she places a soft hand on Rowan’s chest. As if sensing her touch, he moves in closer, pressing up against her, and I feel her melt into the pillows.
“Ben,” she whispers, arching her neck so she’s looking back at me. “Is it over now?”
“It’s over, Firefly.” I press my lips to hers as my palm flattens on her silky stomach. “No one will ever hurt you again.”
Epilogue
SIERRA - SIX MONTHS LATER
“You are going to a lot of trouble tonight, little sis. Anything you want to tell me?” Serena teases, opening the refrigerator and extracting a chilled bottle of wine.
“Can’t a wife cook a romantic dinner for her husband without getting the third degree?” I raise her teasing with sass.
“Well, something smells delicious.”
“It’s meatballs and spaghetti. Ben’s favorite. Natalia gave me the recipe. Apparently, it’s been in the Mazzone family for generations.”
Serena helps herself to a spoonful of the tomato sauce, moaning appreciatively as the flavor explodes on her tongue. “Damn, girl. You should’ve opened a restaurant not a holistic center.”
“That sounds too much like hard work,” I joke as I walk around the island unit to the table.
Ben bought a small building in downtown Greenwich for me as a wedding present, and let me tell you, he got laid a lot on our honeymoon in Fiji for that amazing gift.
We took Rowan with us on our honeymoon because neither of us could bear to leave him at home. When we returned, we settled into family life with practiced ease. Serena asked if she and her kids could stay a little longer, having no desire to return to Chicago, and Ben willingly handed her the keys to the west wing, telling her to stay as long as she wanted.
Rowan, Romeo, and Elisa all started at a local private school after Christmas, and they are settling in well. I spent a few months setting up my new center and recruiting a small team to work with me, providing a host of different treatments and therapies to local clients. We only opened for business two weeks ago, and it’s already booming.
I’m only working part-time because I want to pick up Rowan from school every day and be here with him and my sister in the afternoons.
“Are you eating in here or the dining room?” Serena asks, pulling out silverware.
We have a gorgeous, elegant dining room, but most nights, we prefer eating in the kitchen. It’s warmer and more homey. Even though Ben has a helicopter now—which means he comes home from the city every night—it’s usually too late to join us for family dinner. Normally, it’s just Serena and me and the kids. Plus our bodyguards, of course.
“We’ll eat here,” I say, accepting the silverware and setting it on the table.
“Is Natalia coming this weekend?” she asks, opening a cupboard and removing two wineglasses. Natalia and Serena hit it off from the instant they met, and we have good fun hanging out together when she’s here.
“I’m not sure. She hasn’t messaged me yet.”
On weekends when she’s not visiting her husband, Gino, in Chicago, Natalia comes here with her twin stepsons. I think she needs to remain close to Ben now that their father is gone.
Angelo passed the day after the shootout in the hotel, and Natalia is still grieving.
We had considered postponing our wedding, out of respect, but Natalia insisted we go ahead with it, saying it’s what her father would have wanted. She told us how he thought Ben would be the eternal bachelor and how delighted he was when we got engaged even if I wasn’t Italian.
Or so we all thought at the time.
Isn’t it ironic that I ended up being the traditional Italian wife after all?
It’s as if destiny was at work this entire time, and none of us knew.
“I thought Gino was only supposed to be in Chicago for six months,” Serena says, pouring white wine into two glasses.
“That was the initial plan, but things are taking longer than expected, and it looks like he will have to stay there for at least another six.”
Ben has stayed true to his word, updating me on the details of what goes on in his world. Thankfully, things have settled down in recent months. The Commission is now a united organization comprising all the US famiglias. They are still working through the details, but having ultimate cooperation between all Italian American made men, for the first time in years, is a big deal.
A lot of that is thanks to Ben’s tireless efforts, and he seamlessly took over as official Mazzone don with no issue. His reputation spoke for itself, and the men already knew they were in good hands. He worked hard to earn their trust and respect, and now he has their unflinching loyalty.
After The Commission orchestrated a successful reclamation of Vegas, Salerno and his scheming daughter returned to Nevada, and the Russians slunk away to lick their wounds and mourn the loss of their ally. We know they will regroup and retaliate at some point, but for now, we have peace and prosperity.
Things aren’t fully settled in Chicago, but The Outfit is rebuilding under the expert stewardship of acting underboss Thomas Barretta. Ben explained how Thomas believes he is too old to lead their men and that fresh young blood is needed. So, The Commission appointed Gino Accardi, Natalia’s husband, as acting consigliere to work with Barretta in identifying suitable men to take up the vacant key
positions.
No one knows DeLuca is dead. (I refuse to refer to him as Father anymore. He lost that right when he kidnapped me and tried to steal my future.) As far as anyone is concerned, he is still calling the shots from Sicily, having thrown his full support behind The Commission and Barretta. The Commission agreed with Ben when he suggested that announcing his death at this time would be too coincidental and might raise suspicion. It would also disrupt The Outfit at a time when things are in flux. So, DeLuca lives on in ghostly form, for now. In a few years, when they have a successor chosen and trained and the timing is right, they will hold a funeral for DeLuca and draw a line under his nefarious reign.
“Here.” She hands me a glass of wine, and I take it without argument.
I finish setting the table and pull myself up onto one of the stools at the island unit. “Sit down.” I pat the space beside me. “Ben won’t be home for a while yet, and I take it Alesso is watching the kids?” I asked Serena if she would take Rowan tonight because I want a night alone with my husband. I love having my sister here, for so many reasons, but babysitting on tap is an added bonus.
“The kids are asleep, and Alesso and Frank are playing COD on the Xbox in my living room.” She rolls her eyes, but I spot the faint blush on her cheeks. Although Alesso is still my bodyguard, when we are at the house, I have noticed his predilection for spending time with my sister when he’s not needed. She has denied there is anything going on, stating they are only friends, but I think she doth protest too much! Still, I don’t pry. She knows I am here when she needs to talk, and she has been through sheer hell over the past ten years.
I’m so glad that bastard Gifoli is dead. Gradually, Serena has been revealing the truth behind her marriage, and I’m sick at the things she was forced to endure.
Leo tends to stay over on the weekend, and I’m never happier than when all the family is here together and the house is filled with love and laughter. Pen and Esme visit when they can, but with Pen’s growing family and Esme’s burgeoning legal career, I don’t see enough of them.
Mom flies in once a month, but she’s crazy busy now she has taken over as CEO of Lawson Pharma. She has thrown herself into reclaiming her birthright, and I can’t recall ever seeing her this invigorated. She told Barretta, in no uncertain terms, that Lawson Pharma was done pandering to The Outfit and to go find themselves some other sucker to launder their money. Ben smoothed the transition, and Mom is restoring Lawson Pharma to a fully legitimate organization. Which means she is working nonstop and she doesn’t have much downtime.
Serena sips her wine while I pretend to sip mine, dumping some of it in the vase of flowers on the island unit when she’s not looking. “Have you given any more thought to NYU?” I ask.
“I emailed the administration, and they sent me a bunch of forms and information,” she admits.
Serena is considering a return to college. To do something she likes, this time, and I want this for her, so bad. “It’s your call, sis, but I think you should do it. You deserve to do something for yourself.”
“I don’t want to be a burden,” she says. “And I don’t want to neglect the kids.”
“You’re not, and you never could. You know you can stay here as long as you like. We love having you here.” I squeeze her hand. “You can hire a nanny, like we discussed, and you can drive in and out to the city on days when Ben’s schedule doesn’t suit yours.” I lean in closer, smiling. “Do it. Grab something for yourself.”
Her eyes sparkle with simmering hope and more than a tinge of excitement. “You’re a bad influence,” she jokes, sliding off the stool as she finishes her wine.
“I’m a good influence, and you know it.”
“Love you,” she says, leaning in to give me a kiss. “I’ll leave you to get ready for your man. Have fun.”
“Love you too, and I intend to.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m perched by the front door, waiting for Ben to appear. I heard the chopper land a couple of minutes ago, and I rushed out to welcome him at the door.
A low whistle rings out, and I spin around, grinning as Ben strides quickly toward me, with one hand behind his back. Ciro is snapping at his heels, wearing a familiar frown. There was a time Ben considered reassigning Ciro, but he has proven to be versatile and a good bodyguard. He has grown on me slowly, but he’s still a grumpy bastard at the best of times.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, Mrs. Mazzone?” my husband says, raking hungry eyes over my body-hugging little black number. He tugs on the gold-trimmed black bra strap peeking out from under the top of my dress. “Is this what I think it is?” he purrs in my ear, grazing my earlobe with his teeth.
“It is, husband dearest. I know how much you love me in skimpy black lace lingerie, and I aim to please.”
“Is it my birthday?” he teases, trailing his hot mouth along my neck as Ciro hangs back, giving us privacy. “Or Christmas?” Straightening up, he whips out a giant bouquet of roses, fixing me with one of his signature smirks as he hands them to me. “Or maybe it’s yours?”
He never stops spoiling me. The house is always full of flowers, and weekly cupcake deliveries are the norm. I bury my nose in the gorgeous blooms, and my heart feels like it’s going to burst I’m just that happy. “Every day with you is Christmas,” I say, circling my arms around his neck. “I love you so much, Ben. I hope you know that.”
“You show me in so many ways, every day. I never doubt your love, and I don’t ever take it or you for granted.” He takes my hand, pulling me into the house. “And I love you too. I don’t think you have any idea how happy you make me.”
“I’m about to make you happier,” I promise, dragging him into the kitchen.
“Wow.” He pulls me into his arms, sniffing the garlic and tomato scents wafting around the kitchen. “You cooked Mazzone meatballs, didn’t you? Damn, Firefly. Can I marry you again?”
I place my hands on his chest, gazing up at him in wonder. He is so fucking gorgeous. So sexy and protective.
And all mine.
I have to pinch myself somedays to remind myself he is mine forever and ever. That this glorious life we lead is mine. Rowan is the happiest he has ever been, and he worships the ground his daddy walks on, as do I. “I would marry you a million times, Ben, and it would still never be enough.” Emotion clogs the back of my throat as he stares at me with so much love and adoration it is almost too much.
“Hey.” His brow furrows as he swipes at the tear that has snuck from my eye. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I smile as I brush more tears. “These are happy tears.”
“Are you sure? If something is wrong, I—”
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt, worrying my lower lip between my teeth. I don’t understand why I have a sudden bout of nerves when I already know Ben will be thrilled.
Shock splays across his face. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” I nod. “I took a bunch of tests, and then Doc confirmed it.” I had to enlist Leo’s help, and from the shocked expression on Ben’s face, I know he kept his word and kept it a secret. I wanted this to be a surprise.
“Oh my God.” He lifts me up and gently swings me around. “I’m going to be a daddy again. This is the best news ever, Firefly.” Planting my feet on the ground, he wraps his arms around me as his lips descend in a searing-hot kiss I feel all the way to the tips of my toes. He makes love to my mouth, setting every nerve ending in my body on fire, in the way only he can. “I’m hungry, babe,” he says when he eventually rips his lips from mine. “And not for meatballs.”
I laugh, palming his toned ass as he cups one of my breasts through my dress. “These feel bigger. Are they bigger already?”
I roll my eyes, grinning. “You are obsessed with my breasts.”
“Fuck yeah,” he says, gently squeezing. “Have you seen yourself? You’re sex on legs, Firefly, and if I don’t bury my cock inside you within the next two minutes, I’m liable to explode.”
Hi
s words have the power to render me into a puddle of goo on the floor, and I’m already panting for him. Rushing to the stove, I turn off the heat and put a lid on the bubbling pot.
Dinner can wait.
I spin around, sauntering toward him with slow, deliberate, sensual moves and a tempting grin on my face. Grabbing his tie, I yank him toward me. “What are you waiting for, sexy? An invitation?”
I shriek as he lifts me over his shoulder, much more carefully than usual. He swats my ass. “Now you’ve done it, Firefly. Fuck dinner. You’re my appetizer, entrée, and dessert, and I’m going to devour every morsel of what’s available.”
“So, get to it. Ravish me, baby,” I coax as my panties flood with liquid lust.
He swats my ass again, racing out of the room toward our bedroom. “Your wish is my command.”
* * *
Want to read a sexy bonus scene where Ben takes Sierra to one of his sex clubs to get their kink on? Click here to download or copy and paste this link into your browser: http://bit.ly/39EpQmU
Stay tuned for more stand-alone romances in this world, coming later in 2021. STL is Serena & Alessandro’s romance and FTL is Natalia & Leo’s romance.
Want a completed dark romance trilogy to sink your teeth into next? Check out my Rydeville Elite Box Set if you want dark M/F romance or The Sainthood Series Collection if RH romance is your thing! Turn the page to read the prologue from both books!
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In the power struggle between two elite groups, one feisty girl will bring them to their knees…
Life is a cruel game where only the most ruthless survive. It’s a truth my mother rebelled against, and she paid for it with her life. Now, I play their game. Publicly accepting the destiny that lies in wait for me when I turn eighteen.
But, behind closed doors, I plot my escape.
Condemned to Love:  Page 43
