“I wrinkled your suit,” she muttered.
I chuckled. “Baby, this suit’s going to have blood covering it by the end of the night. It was never going to make it back home.”
She didn’t remark on that. Instead, she asked, “So, we’re really doing this, huh?”
I tightened my arms around her. “Yes, we are, baby.”
“It’s been a week.”
“Yeah, well, when a Benetti knows, he knows. Just ask my brothers,” I replied dryly.
“Love at first sight seems a bit fanciful for men like you.”
“Doesn’t make it any less real,” I told her. “Because that’s exactly what happened with all three of us. Ciro, too.”
“It’s still a lot to get used to,” she said.
I grabbed her face in my hands and forced her to look at me. “Tell me what I want to hear, Blake.” I wasn’t going to push it, but it was the only thing I needed from her.
Her blue eyes filled with tears and the sudden emotion made me think I’d pushed on a bruise or something, but then she said, “It’s scary how much I can love you in just a few short days.”
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Salvatore.”
Holding her gaze, I said, “Don’t ever make me have to kill you, Blake.”
She let out a stuttered laugh. “You’re such a romantic.”
Epilogue
Salvatore – (One Month Later)~
“How’s Blake adjusting?”
I looked over at my brother. He was sitting behind his desk, looking like he didn’t have a care in world, but I knew better. He’d been a mother hen when Frankie had become pregnant, but a pregnant Remy was doing a number on him. And the only reason I knew this was because he’d admitted as much. If he hadn’t, you’d never be able to tell.
“She’s coming along,” I answered. “With everyone pregnant but Sienna, she’s finding herself busy these days.”
“And how is she emotionally and mentally?”
“She and her mom have a quiet understanding and they are getting along fine. And with Caitlin in rehab, that’s a huge weight off her shoulders. They talk once a week on the phone.”
The second Frankie had gotten her hands on Caitlin Turner, Caitlin had been sober enough to be scared out of her mind. It hadn’t taken much to convince Caitlin to go to rehab, but the one Frankie had picked out for her rival Alcatraz Island. Caitlin was pretty much imprisoned, but she was alive and being treated by the best in the field. Frankie’s contribution to her recovery had been to inform her that Frankie had no problem slicing her open if she ever crossed the line again. Hell, if her toe even came close to the line. And though effective, we all knew addicts couldn’t be trusted, so Caitlin Turner would never be free of supervision.
“And you?” he asked. “How are you feeling about married life?”
“It’s crazy how one woman can change everything,” I answered.
“Isn’t it, though?”
I leaned back on the couch. “I understand you guys all a lot better now.”
“We don’t seem so crazy anymore?” he joked.
“Let’s just say, I understand Phoenix’s celibacy during those six year a little bit better now,” I replied. “When there’s only one for you, there’s only one.”
Luca nodded. “Agreed.”
I stood up from the couch. “The pregnancies are taking us into a whole new world, Luca. It’s definitely a new reign now.”
Luca let out a subtle breath. “It is,” he agreed. “But just know that while I don’t care about your relationship with Carlita, she will never be allowed around my wife or children.”
I shrugged. “Understood.” We’ve always known Ma was going to have to settle for mine and Leo’s children to make her a grandmother and she knew it, too.”
Luca stood up from his chair and made his way to the bar. Pouring a drink for each of us, he said, “I’ll need you to act as Underboss until my son comes of age.” And without an infliction his voice, he added, “And if Remy gives me daughters only, then I’ll need you to groom your firstborn son as Underboss, so he can take over should you meet an untimely death.”
I huffed out a laugh. “And if Blake gives me only daughters?”
“Then we’ll groom Leo’s firstborn son,” he answered easily.
“And if Sienna gives him nothing but daughters?” Luca speared me with a look. “What? It’s possible, Luca. And we need a plan D if we end up siring nothing but girls.”
“Then Vincent Fiore will be Underboss,” he said, even though he knew the position could only go to a blood Benetti.
“Or your firstborn daughter could be Underboss,” I suggested.
“Either way, it would certainly set a new precedence,” he remarked in thought. “However, one that would work through an arranged marriage.”
“Vincent and your firstborn daughter?”
He nodded. “Actually, alliances between our families would do nothing but strengthen what we’ve already built.”
“Benettis, Fiores, and Mancinis?” I laughed. “Christ, there’d be no stopping us.”
Luca grinned as he raised his glass in a salute. “To the next generation of Benettis, Fiores, and Mancinis.”
I raised my glass. “To the next generation.”
The End.
Acknowledgments
◆◆◆
The first acknowledgment will always be my husband. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude for having this man in my life. There is a little bit of him in every hero I dream up, and I can’t thank God enough for bringing him into my life. Thirty years, and still going strong!
Second, there’s my family; my daughter, my son, my grandchildren, my sister, and my mother. Family is everything, and I have one of the best. They are truly the best cheerleaders I could ever ask for, and I never forget just how truly blessed I am to have them in my life.
And, of course, there’s Kamala. This woman is not only my beta and idea guinea pig, but she’s also one of my closest friends. She’s been with me from the beginning of this journey, and we’re going to ride this thing to the end. Kam’s the encouragement that sparked it all, folks.
And, finally, I’d like to thank everyone who’s purchased, read, reviewed, shared, and supported me and my writing. Thank you so much for helping make this dream a reality and a happy, fun one at that! I cannot say thank you enough.
About the Author
◆◆◆
M.E. Clayton works full-time and writes as a hobby. She is an avid reader and, with much self-doubt, but more positive feedback and encouragement from her friends and family, she took a chance at writing, and the Seven Deadly Sins Series was born. Writing is a hobby she is now very passionate about. When she’s not working, writing, or reading, she is spending time with her family or friends. If you care to learn more, you can read about her by visiting the following:
Smashwords Interview
Bookbub Author Page
Goodreads Author Page
Other Books
◆◆◆
The Seven Deadly Sins Series (In Order)
Catching Avery (Avery & Nicholas)
Chasing Quinn (Quinn & Chase)
Claiming Isabella (Isabella & Julian)
Conquering Kam (Kamala & Kane)
Capturing Happiness
The Enemy Duet (In Order)
In Enemy Territory (Fiona & Damien)
On Enemy Ground (Victoria & William)
The Enemy Series (In Order)
Facing the Enemy (Ramsey & Emerson)
Engaging the Enemy (Roselyn & Liam)
Battling the Enemy (Deke & Delaney)
Provoking the Enemy (Ava & Ace)
Loving the Enemy
Resurrecting the Enemy (Ramsey Jr. & Lake)
The Buchanan Brothers Series (In Order)
If You Could Only See (Mason & Shane)
If You Could Only Imagine (Aiden & Denise)
If You Could Only Feel (Gabriel
& Justice)
If You Could Only Believe (Michael & Sophia)
If You Could Only Dream
The How To: Modern-Day Woman’s Guide Series (In Order)
How to Stay Out of Prison (Lyrical & Nixon)
How to Keep Your Job (Alice & Lincoln)
How to Maintain Your Sanity (Rena & Jackson)
The Holy Trinity Series (In Order)
The Holy Ghost (Phoenix & Francesca)
The Son (Ciro & Roberta)
The Father (Luca & Remy)
The Redemption (Nico & Mia)
The Vatican (Francisco Phoenix Benetti & Luca Saveria Fiore)
The Blackstone Prep Academy Duet (In Order)
Reflections (Grace & Styx)
Mirrors (London & Sterling)
The Eastwood Series (In Order)
Samson (Samson & Mackenzie)
Ford (Ford & Amelia)
Raiden (Raiden & Charlie)
Duke (Duke & Willow)
Alistair (Alistair & Rory)
The Problem Series (In Order)
The Problem with Fire (Sayer & Monroe)
The Problem with Sports (Nathan & Andrea)
The Problem with Dating (Gideon & Echo)
The Pieces Series (In Order)
Our Broken Pieces (Mystic & Gage)
Our Cracked Pieces (Rowan & Lorcan)
Our Shattered Pieces (Molly & Grayson)
The Holy Trinity Duet (In Order)
The Bishop (Leonardo & Sienna)
The Cardinal (Salvatore & Blake)
The Holy Trinity Next Generation Series (In Order)
Vincent & Cira (Vincent Fiore & Cira Benetti)
Salvatore Jr. & Camilla (Salvatore Benetti Jr. & Camilla Mancini)
Emilio & Bianca (Emilio Benetti & Bianca Mancini)
Angelo & Georgia (Angelo Benetti & Georgia Mancini)
Dante & Malia (Dante Fiore & Malia Benetti)
Mattia & Remo (Mattia Mancini & Remo Vitale)
Standalone
Unintentional
Purgatory, Inc.
My Big, Huge Mistake
An Unexpected Life
The Heavier the Chains…
Real Shadows
You Again
Merry Christmas To Me
Dealing with the Devil
The Cardinal (The Holy Trinity Duet Book 2) Page 13