Cris had been right about the shot to his arm being just a flesh wound. He’s now healthy, healed up, and back in Brooklyn. He’s assured me that none of the blowback from the beating I gave Esposito, nor his incarceration, will reach Sam and me. No one in the Esposito family will ever discover how the feds got that recording, according to Cris.
There’s nothing I can do to ever repay the man for helping me save Sam’s life, which I told him. At the very least, I owe him a humongous favor. I’ve made sure he knows that he can cash it in whenever and for whatever he wants. And even then, I’ll probably forever be indebted to him.
But as long as Sam is out of danger, I’ll do whatever he wants. I don’t care.
The only time I ever want to be sitting next to her in a hospital bed again is after she’s delivered our child. Not that she’s pregnant. Not yet, anyway. That’s definitely in my five year plan, though. Hell, my three year plan. I certainly don’t intend on wasting any more time where she’s concerned.
Which is why I came prepared today.
The ring box sits in my pocket, burning a hole through my pants.
I already called her parents and Drake to ask for their blessings, which they were all too thrilled to give me. After this game is over, I’m going to find the right moment to drop down on one knee and ask her the most important question I’ll ever ask her.
I’m nervous as hell.
I’ve been sitting in this chair fidgeting ever since the game started. I don’t know why I’m so jittery. I know she’s going to say yes. I also know she’s been trying to figure out when and how I’m going to propose. Of course, she’s expecting it. She might even be expecting it tonight, and maybe I’m being predictable and not inventive enough.
But I don’t care.
I can’t wait any longer.
I need to hear her say she’ll be my wife. I’m impatient with the need to finally make the whole thing official. Needless to say, I don’t plan on a long engagement.
Sometimes I just can’t believe I finally have her.
A life I thought had been stolen from me eight years ago is now mine to grasp with both hands.
In all honesty, I was never one hundred percent sure that we’d ever get to this point, that we’d ever have our chance. My biggest fear used to be that she’d forever be the one who got away, and that I’d hate myself for the rest of my life, dying full of regret. Now, my biggest fear is that she’ll be taken away from me.
But I’ve learned that I can’t think that way anymore.
I can’t go through life afraid that I won’t get everything with Sam that I’ve ever dreamed of having. Just having her is enough to make me the happiest man alive for as long as I live. I’m going to be grateful for every day that we have together because we’ve already spent far too many of them apart.
And I swear to God, we’ll never be separated again. I’m going to be by her side, no matter what else we have to wade through. No matter what other tests are put before us. From here on out, we’re going to ace every single one of them.
I slip my hand into my pocket, fingering the velvet ring box. I close my eyes and toss up a prayer of thanks.
Finally. She’s mine.
My best friend.
My girl.
My Sam.
***
THE END
Keep reading for a sneak peek of Cris Rossetti’s story, the first book of the upcoming Brooklyn Brothers series!
Bonus Scene
Two months later
Cris
I fucking itched to get back to Brooklyn.
Back to my kingdom.
The only reason I was finding myself back in Georgia for the second time in the last three months was because one of my best friends was getting married.
Kade and his woman Sam had wasted no time tying the knot after all the shit that went down with Esposito a few months back. He’d told me he had to finally lock her down, and I could understand why.
Well, not completely understand why.
It’s not like I’d ever been in love before. And do you think that bothered me even one little bit?
Fuck. No.
Love was messy and complicated. Relationships were time-consuming and demanding, of both your presence and your emotions. I had time for none of it. Not with the businesses I operated on a daily basis, the jobs I had to perform, and the money I had to make. There were people who relied on my mind to stay sharp, not to become muddied in the waters of romance and affection. There was no room for a woman in my life. At least, not beyond dawn.
The nights were for releases and escapes into oblivion.
Days were for domination.
I’ve seen how a woman could tear a man up. I’d known Kade for a long damn time. And throughout the course of our friendship, he’d been totally fucked in the head over one girl. That kind of misery in a man’s eyes was enough to turn the rest of us bachelors off of love—and really anything more than quick-burning, quick-to-snuff-out lust—for eternity.
Don’t get me wrong.
I was thrilled for the guy.
He’d finally attained the one thing in the world he wanted above all else. I’d never seen him so happy. In fact, the joy that had replaced the misery once in his eyes was just as impactful from the outside as his unhappiness had been, but for a whole different reason.
The way he looked at Sam, the way he held her, I’d admit could tempt a man into seeking something similar of his own. A woman to call his own. Someone who would look at him like he hung the damn moon, like Sam looked at Kade. From the outside, it looked almost…nice. My parents had that kind of relationship, too. The kind that was impenetrable, defying time and logic.
But growing up around that, having that to hold up as your template, applied more pressure to your own personal life. It made settling for anything less an impossibility.
And again, my life was precisely organized and carefully orchestrated. There were numbers and schedules and meetings. Hearts and rainbows didn’t fit into that mold.
So why, for the love of God why, could I not stop staring at her?
The maid of honor. Jasmine Kingston.
My eyes hadn’t moved from her since the first second they’d fallen on her petite, feminine form. That chestnut hair, those almond-shaped eyes that beguiled a man while they cast a spell over him. Her entire demeanor was cool and calm as she moved about the crowd, making her practiced smiles that much more mysterious because you knew there was so much more going on underneath the layer of politeness.
We had yet to officially meet since I’d remained on the outskirts of the now thrumming reception party. But in my head, we had done far more than shake hands. Hell, she’d already shaken hands with my dick in my fantasies, and I’d lifted the flowy skirt of her bridesmaid dress to see what she was hiding underneath all that chiffon.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I never reacted this way around a woman. I was always in control.
I’d had countless numbers of beautiful women in my company—and in my bed—since I was a teenager. One softly spoken sweetheart shouldn’t make my blood pump the way it was.
But goddammit, my gaze kept seeking her out.
It was infuriating.
She’d looked like an angel during the ceremony, standing on that clifftop as the sun set over the sprawling canyon below.
Kade had said something about the chosen location being the place where he and Sam had first kissed. I’d admit the sight of dusk breaking as they recited their vows had been a stunning one. They had wanted something small and intimate, a modest celebration for only family and close friends, so as not to draw the media’s attention.
And damn, had those two certainly had the media’s attention lately.
As fucking pleased as I was that Raphael Esposito’s ass was locked up and probably headed for prison, the events that transpired at the FNN studios and everything that followed had thrown my life into a giant clusterfuck. My family had maintained the
ir distance from the five families of Hell’s Kitchen for decades now. But my involvement with Esposito’s capture threw us right back into the middle of their bullshit.
Not that I regretted any of it.
Sure, I’d taken a bullet. But I’d healed quickly, unlike the Espositos and their businesses. Those wounds would fester for years to come with Raphael’s absence, which made being on their radar once again more than worth the trouble. My family had been wronged by the five families in so many ways, I could give two shits what happened to them all. They could kill each other off, one by one, and I would dance on every single grave.
There was one glaring problem with these new developments, however.
Raphael’s imprisonment meant that his son was already taking the reins. His son, the psychopathic loose cannon of the Espositos, had been all too happy to step into his papá’s shoes and act as the unofficial Boss of his family. Now, there was all kinds of tension and power struggles among the families, along with a rising level of danger. When they were at war with each other, blood was spilled, innocents usually got caught in the crosshairs, and people died. And as much as I’d love to see every one of those fuckers taken out, the Rossettis couldn’t permit that kind of chaos in our city, even if we didn’t claim that particular territory of New York.
My father’s grandfather had separated the Rossettis from his criminal enterprising, fear-mongering counterparts when they all migrated to the US from Sicily in the early 1900s. He’d taken his wife and children, had gone into voluntary exile to live a more peaceful life in Brooklyn, and were forever marked as “the sixth family.”
My family had worked hard to live honest lives, and we always had. But with that, the different generations had also taken on a kind of vow: to protect innocent people from the five families. We couldn’t completely control what the others did, but we fought to ensure their power and influence didn’t become so great that it eclipsed our own. We weren’t perfect, but we also liked to think we weren’t evil like them. We couldn’t let that evil spread like a disease.
And Esposito Jr. was certainly stirring that damn pot.
A war was coming, one that I wasn’t entirely sure would end well for all sides.
A melodic feminine laugh reached my ears, drawing my attention to the dance floor. Ms. Kingston was dancing with the flower girl—I think Kade mentioned it was Sam’s niece—twirling her around and sending the girl into a fit of giggles.
The girl’s smile and laughter was infectious.
But the woman’s whose hands she was holding? Her smile and laughter was fucking addicting.
I felt a presence beside me, joining me in the shadows.
“Having fun, I see,” Kade drawled.
I smirked, though my eyes remained on the woman who had captured my fascination. “You’re talking to the life of the party here.”
He snorted. “Naturally. Look, I appreciate you coming. So does Sam. Means a lot to both of us.”
I turned to look at him. I’d already shaken his hand and offered my congratulations to both of them. But I slapped his shoulder in a kind of half-hug, anyway.
“Wouldn’t have missed it, man. She’s a good woman. Perfect for you.”
His eyes sought out his new bride and held. “Yeah, she is.” His gaze swung back to me, turning serious. “I meant what I said about that favor. Anything you need, anytime. You didn’t have to help me get her back, but you did. For that, I’ll be eternally grateful.”
I was about to wave him off and respond with the same rote I had for the last three months about our score being even. But something stopped me. My attention was once again snagged by the gorgeous creature spinning around on the dance floor.
“Actually, I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”
His drink froze halfway to his mouth. “Now? Here?”
I nodded, tipping my head in Ms. Kingston’s direction. “I want you to tell me everything you know about her.”
His head whipped around. “Jasmine?”
I only nodded.
“You want to cash in your favor to get information about Jasmine.” It was a statement, not a question, one of disbelief and confusion.
Another nod.
“What do you want to know?”
My answer was simple and immediate. “Everything.”
I listened intently as he started talking about her friendship with Sam and what she did for a living. But one sentence stood out above all the others, making all my senses flare to life.
“She’s moving to New York next week for her new job.”
New York.
In my fucking backyard.
Shit.
I shouldn’t have even asked. Because instead of leaving this odd attraction behind in Georgia once I left this party tonight—as I’d intended—I had a disturbing feeling that it would follow me all the way back to Brooklyn.
Because I’d know how close she would be.
Fuck.
I didn’t want to accept it, didn’t want to even consider it, but something told me my obsession with Jasmine Kingston might have only just begun.
***
Cris and Jasmine’s story (Brooklyn Brothers #1) will be here late 2019!
Playlist
Welcome to the Jungle - Guns ‘N Roses
Legs - ZZ Top
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Break Stuff - Limp Bizkit
I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett and the Blackheads
Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar
Why Can’t This Be Love - Van Halen
Patience - Guns ‘N Roses
Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ - Journey
You Won’t Change Me - Black Sabbath
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Kickstart My Heart - Mötley Crüe
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Love Bites - Def Leppard
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
Goodbye to Romance - Ozzy Osbourne
You’re All I Need - Mötley Crüe
I Was Made for Lovin’ You - KISS
Something About You - Boston
Angel - Aerosmith
You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi
Mixed Emotions - The Rolling Stones
Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins
Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Journey
Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane
Need You Bad - Ted Nugent
Witchy Woman - Eagles
Barracuda - Heart
Runnin’ With the Devil - Van Halen
Love Hurts - Nazareth
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Dreams - Van Halen
Burning Heart- Survivor
Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
Love Will Keep Us Alive - Eagles
The End - The Doors
You’re My Best Friend - Queen
Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
No One Like You - Scorpions
Highway to Hell - AC/DC
No More Tears- Ozzy Osbourne
Feel Like Makin’ Love - Bad Company
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
Against the Wind - Bob Segar
I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick
Devil’s Dance - Metallica
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
Hell’s Bells - AC/DC
Night Moves - Bob Segar
Can’t Stop Lovin’ You - Van Halen
Love of a Lifetime - Firehouse
The Evil That Men Do - Iron Maiden
I Just Want to Make Love to You - Foghat
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More books by Melanie Munton
Standalone romance:
King of the Court
Short story series:
Salsa Nights (Volume 1)
Salsa Nights (Volume 2)
Slow Seductions series:
Casual Affair (Slow Seductions #1)
Sweet Attraction (Slow Seductions #2)
Cruz Brothers series:
Playing for Kinley (Cruz Brothers #1)
The Art of Sage (Cruz Brothers #2)
Always Mickie (Cruz Brothers #3)
Timid Souls novellas:
Stubborn Hearts
Unexpected Love
Possession and Politics Trilogy:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Acknowledgments
As always, to my husband Sean, I probably never would have started writing if it wasn’t for you. You’ve supported and encouraged me from day one, and made me believe that I could accomplish great things. YOU make my dreams possible. Thank you for that, and for every other beautiful thing you bring to my life.
To my parents, I am constantly reminded of the foundation you both provided as I was growing up. You have influenced more of my decisions in life than you could possibly know…in good ways. Your love and support over the years has led me to where I am today, and helped me become the person I am.
To the rest of my family, it would be a cliché to say that you all inspire me. But you do. You inspire my stories, you inspire my characters, and you inspire my determination to do the very best I can with each and every project I take on. Despite all my quirks and craziness, you guys have always had my back through everything. Which makes me quirky and lucky.
The Unforgettable Kind Page 34