by Chelle Bliss
I laugh as Bianca watches in horror, waiting for her mother to lose her shit.
“God, you’re so damn beautiful,” Ma says.
Mrs. Hernandez eats up the compliment. “I love your hair, Betty. I’m Luciana, but my friends call me Ana.”
“Ana, I’m so happy to finally meet you. I absolutely love your daughter. She’s the best thing to ever happen to my son.”
I’d have to agree. Even being picked in the first round of the draft doesn’t seem to compare to the high I get when Bianca’s around.
“Who’s this handsome devil?” Ma asks, turning her attention to Bianca’s father.
“I’m Jesús.” He grabs her hand, kissing it in much the same way my father does when he’s laying on the charm.
“Jesús.” My mother repeats and gives the man a hug. “Your family is beautiful.”
My father clears his throat because my mother’s so excited and wrapped up in Bianca’s family, she seems to have totally forgotten about him.
“Sorry. This is my husband, Santino.”
“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Hernandez.” Pop smiles and reaches his hand out to Bianca’s father.
“Jesús, please.”
“Tino.”
So far, so good. No one’s thrown a punch or an insult.
“What fine-looking boys you have,” Ma says, finally catching sight of Javi and Luis.
“Let’s go outside,” I say because this is getting weird and uncomfortable.
The love fest is great, but I need a drink, and by the look on Bianca’s face, I’m pretty sure she needs one too.
BIANCA STANDS NEXT TO ME, watching our families talking nonstop. I hook my arm around her waist, pulling her against me as I look out over the city from the patio.
“It’s going well,” I tell her, feeling more nervous than I did when the day started. “Don’t you want a drink?”
Dinner went better than expected. There hasn’t been an awkward silence or a heated exchange of words. The siblings seemed to take to each other, chattering about sports. At their core, our families are the same. Macho men, bossy women, and filled with tons of love.
“No. I’m not in the mood. I need to keep my head clear. This has gone shockingly smooth,” she says before taking a small sip of water. “Even my mother seems to be enjoying herself. Nice touch on the decorating bit too.”
“I figured she’d like it and it would give us a chance to get to know each other better.”
Bianca rests her head against my arm and sighs. “You’re a smart cookie, Mr. Gallo.”
“I’m always thinking ahead, baby.”
My entire life, I’ve planned down to the smallest detail. High school sports and grades, the perfect college team, and my professional career. The only thing I hadn’t planned was Bianca. I wasn’t sure I’d ever find someone who would make me a one-woman man, but then she landed right in my arms like she was meant to be there forever.
“Are you happy?” I ask her, kissing the top of her head.
“More than I have been in a long time.” She glances up at me as I pull away. “You make me happy.”
“You don’t regret breaking your no-sex promise to yourself?”
“It’s a good thing I made that promise. What if I hadn’t? I might have found someone else, and we wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
I hold her chin between my fingers. “You were meant to be here, Bianca. No man would’ve been right for you except me. We’d still be standing here, no matter what happened before the day I moved in.”
“You’re always so sure of yourself.” She smiles.
“When I want something, I go after it, and I don’t stop until I get what I want.” I lean forward and press my lips to hers.
“You can be very persuasive,” she says with a smirk.
“I think it’s time for the surprise.” I grab her hand, guiding her back toward our families.
“They’re going to be so excited.”
She has no idea just how excited everyone’s going to be.
“Stay here. Let me go grab the tickets.”
She nods and turns to her grandmother. “Are you doing okay, Abuela?”
I step inside, stopping for a minute to take in the two families and the girl who’s quickly stolen my heart. My life is so full now. My days of partying are over. The playboy life I’d grown weary of has come to an end. For the first time in forever, I feel like an adult and totally focused on what I want, knowing exactly how to make it happen.
I take a deep breath and shake out my hands, something I’ve done before every big game I’ve ever played. This isn’t a game, though. But there’s so much on the line, and I could easily end up losing everything.
I grab the tickets from the drawer, along with the turquoise box I hid from Bianca. “It’s now or never. I’ve got this,” I tell myself.
Hiding the box underneath the tickets, I head back to the patio and my girl. She turns to me with a beautiful smile, figuring I’m about to make our families happy, but she has no idea the shit I have up my sleeve.
I clear my throat, and slowly the chatter at the table dies down as both families turn to face me. “Bianca and I want to thank everyone for coming today.”
Bianca slides out of her chair and comes to stand at my side.
“I know we’re all excited about the football season that starts next week and Bianca’s new book that’ll be coming out in the spring. We wanted to celebrate our success with each of you, and I couldn’t think of a better gift than season tickets for everyone.”
I wave the tickets in the air before handing them off to Angelo who takes two and passes them on. Bianca’s brothers and father are in shock as they stare down at their season ticket passes.
“They’re for the family section,” I tell them. “Open bar, food, everything’s taken care of.”
“Dude, this is huge,” Luis says and isn’t a dick.
It’s progress.
“You didn’t have to do this, son,” Mr. Hernandez says to me, but I can tell he’s happy.
Mrs. Hernandez isn’t so impressed, but she puts on a good game face.
Bianca’s beaming at my side. “They’re happy,” she says.
“One more thing,” I say, taking her hand and placing the tiny box in her palm.
She stares down at the cardboard box wrapped in white ribbon. “What’s this?”
“Open it,” I tell her and push the box closer to her.
Her hands shake as she works at the ribbon, and I drop to my knee. The celebration of the family quickly ceases, and I know all eyes are on us.
Tears form in Bianca’s eyes as she opens the box, and her gaze falls to me. “Vinnie, you can’t—”
“Bianca,” I interrupt and grab her hand as she stares down at the diamond ring. “I always thought I was happy, but I never knew true happiness until the day you walked into my life.”
“Vinnie,” she whispers, tears starting to stream down her cheeks.
“I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but they say when you meet the person you’re meant to spend a lifetime loving, you know it. I’ve never said these words to anyone except the people sitting behind me. I don’t say them easily or without meaning them completely. I love you, Bianca. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
There’s a collective gasp from the families as the last sentence leaves my mouth. Bianca’s in tears as I grab her hand and take the ring from between her two fingers.
“It doesn’t have to be now. We can get married next spring after the season’s over, but I want everyone to know I’m yours and you’re mine. I love you with every fiber of my being, baby. Say you’ll be mine forever.”
She hasn’t said anything yet. Just cried. I’m about to panic and lose my shit. Maybe I was totally off base and she’s more in love with my cock than me. We’ve never even said I love you to each other, but I know who I want, and it’s her.
I’m holding the ring in front of her finger, waiting for a reply. Her mo
uth opens and closes, and I’m readying myself for the big denial I dreaded and knew could come.
“Yes. Oh my God, yes.” She flings herself into my arms before I have a chance to slide the ring onto her finger. She kisses my cheeks and then my lips, mumbling, “Yes,” over and over again.
I slide one arm around her, holding her tight, knowing I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. “Your hand, baby. Give me your hand.”
She holds out her hand, and it’s still shaking as I slide the ring onto her finger. “I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you too,” she says with a small laugh before wiping away her tears. The sunlight splinters off the diamond, and she angles her hand away from her face, staring down at it.
“It’s so big.” Her eyes are wide, reminding me of the time I dropped my pants, letting her see all of me.
“Nothing but the best for my girl.” I hold her face in my hands and stare into her honey-brown eyes. “I want to spend an eternity spoiling you and showing you how much you mean to me.”
“Well, sweetheart,” my mother says behind us. “We have another wedding to plan.”
“Sweet baby Jesus,” my father mutters.
The families congratulate each other on our engagement, and I even hear Mrs. Hernandez saying happy words.
I have my girl in my arms and my ring on her finger. What could be better than that? The day couldn’t be more perfect.
Bianca grabs my face. “I have a surprise too,” she says with a wicked smile.
“I love surprises, baby.” I smile, hugging her tighter.
“We’re pregnant.”
“Are you kidding?” I whisper, barely able to find my voice.
“Nope. You knocked me up.”
I’m going to be a dad.
A freaking dad.
My heart’s pounding uncontrollably, and I start to feel sweat dotting my forehead. “I’m going to be a dad,” I repeat, but this time out loud because it’s kind of an unbelievable statement.
“You are.” She nods with a nervous smile.
I lift her upward and twirl her in a circle, but the families haven’t heard a word because they’re too busy talking about our wedding.
“Don’t tell anyone,” I say in her ear. “Your father might kill me.”
“It’s our secret,” she says to me, “because he will kill you or at least chase you around your place and probably get a punch in. Let’s not forget my brothers, too.”
When I place her on the ground, I can’t stop myself from touching her stomach. “You’re carrying my boy.”
“Or girl.”
“A baby,” I whisper, still not believing this is really happening.
“I knew this day would come,” Abuela says as she sits nearby with a satisfied smile on her face. “You better start planning the baby shower soon too.”
Bianca’s hand fists my shirt, and she stiffens as a hush falls across the table because everyone heard what Abuela said.
“What?” Her father’s eyes narrow from the other end of the table. He’s not looking as happy as he did a minute ago.
“She’s joking,” Bianca says and touches her grandmother’s hand. “Aren’t you, Abuela?”
“Of course.” Abuela pats her hand. “But a baby is soon to follow.”
“Scared me for a minute,” Mr. Hernandez says after his mother-in-law walks back her statement a little bit. “Not too soon, baby. You two have your careers to think about.”
“Yes, Papa. I know.”
I lean over, placing my mouth next to her ear. “How long are we going to lie to everyone?”
Bianca keeps a smile plastered on her face as our families go back to talking about the upcoming wedding. “Just a few months.”
I can lie for a few months, right? I mean, it’s not that hard to keep a secret this big from my family. Is it?
The Men of Inked: Southside isn’t over.
Preorder your copy of Love and continue the USA Today bestselling family saga.
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Angelo & Tilly’s story continues…
The Men of Inked: Southside isn’t over.
Preorder your copy of Love and continue the USA Today bestselling family saga.
* * *
CLICK HERE TO PREORDER
* * *
Angelo & Tilly’s story continues…
Coming next from Chelle Bliss
Kneel Down releases 4.23.19
NAILED DOWN SERIES
Book 1 - Nailed Down
Book 2 - Tied Down
Book 3 - Kneel Down
MEN OF INKED: SOUTHSIDE SERIES
Join the Chicago Gallo Family with their strong alphas, sassy women, and tons of fun.
Book 1 - Maneuver
Book 2 - Flow
Book 3 - Hook
Book 4 - Hustle
Book 5 - Love
MEN OF INKED SERIES
“One of the sexiest series of all-time”
-Bookbub Reviewers
Download book 1 for FREE!
Book 1 - Throttle Me
Book 2 - Hook Me
Book 3 - Resist Me
Book 4 - Uncover Me
Book 5 - Without Me
Book 6 - Honor Me
Book 7 - Worship Me
ALFA INVESTIGATIONS SERIES
Wickedly hot alphas with tons of heart pounding suspense!
Book 1 - Sinful Intent
Book 2 - Unlawful Desire
Book 3 - Wicked Impulse
Book 4 - Guilty Sin
SINGLE READS
Mend
Enshrine
Misadventures of a City Girl
Misadventures with a Speed Demon
Rebound
Top Bottom Switch
NAILED DOWN SERIES
Book 1 - Nailed Down
Book 2 - Tied Down
Book 3 - Kneel Down
TAKEOVER DUET
What happens when you sleep with your biggest enemy?
Book 1 - Acquisition
Book 2 - Merger
FILTHY SERIES
Book 1 - Dirty Work
Book 2 - Dirty Secret
Book 3 - Dirty Defiance
LOVE AT LAST SERIES
Book 1 - Untangle Me
Book 2 - Kayden the Past
BOX SETS & COLLECTIONS
Men of Inked Volume 1
Men of Inked Volume 2
Love at Last Series
ALFA Investigations Volume 1
ALFA Investigations Volume 2
Filthy Series
Takeover Duet
View Chelle’s entire collection of books at menofinked.com/books
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To learn more about Chelle’s books visit menofinked.com or chellebliss.com
Don’t forget to download these FREE ebooks!
The Original Men of Inked
ALFA Investigations Series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chelle Bliss is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of Men of Inked: Southside Series, Misadventures of a City Girl, the Men of Inked, and ALFA Investigations series.
She hails from the Midwest, but currently lives near the beach even though she hates sand. She's a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, coffee fiend, and ex history teacher.
She loves spending time with her two cats, alpha boyfriend, and chatting with readers. To learn more about Chelle, please visit menofinked.com or chellebliss.com.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I seriously suck at writing these. By the time I hit the end of a book, my mind is completely blank. It’s like the vast darkness of space inside my head and it’s a scary place to be sometimes…
To my readers and friends — Thank you. I can’t even explain how thankful I am that you love the Gallos and the Men of Inked series. I will keep writing them as long as you’ll keep reading. Thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule to spend time with my family.
To the lovely members of the my Facebook group — Chelle Bliss Books - thank you for your excitement and uplifting words. Some days I’m in a funk, but you keep me going.
To my beta group - thanks for putting up with my insanity. I’m not easy, but you’re always willing to read my words…for the most part.
To KA Linda for helping me through the blurb for this book. You’re a rockstar and some days you’re my much needed comic relief.
There are just so many people who help make a book come alive. To the betas, the editor, the proofreaders, and of course my crazy imagination. I won’t bore you with the details, but I couldn’t do it without the members of my team.
I’m one lucky son-of-a-bitch. If I had my ups and downs over the last three years, but I’m still going and the words are still flowing. Thank you for sticking it out with me.
More Gallos are coming. This is only the beginning…
Don’t forget to download these FREE ebooks!
The Original Men of Inked
