He asks some questions about Bella — where we found her, if we’d seen her before that day, if she’d had on a collar.
She clings to me like she knows something is about to change for the worse, and I hold her tight because I know she’s right.
Officer Johnson brings us into a room and takes a device out of one of the drawers of the desk. “This is a chip reader,” he explains. “So it’ll tell us all of the information we need to locate her owners.”
I nod, and what feels like a watermelon-sized lump forms in my throat. I can’t even squeak out a response.
Officer Johnson holds the reader out to the top of her neck and presses a button. His brows furrow and he holds it over each of her hind legs.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
He keeps clicking the damn thing.
How many chips are there, for Christ’s sake?
“That’s strange,” he murmurs, trying the underside of her belly.
“What?” I rasp, clearing my throat.
“Well, the reader isn’t registering anything,” he says. “I’ve checked her out from head to toe and I can’t find a chip anywhere.”
My heart hammers in my chest. “Wait…so what does that mean?” I ask.
He shrugs. “It means I can’t locate her owner. There’s one other thing I can look at, though,” he says, his fingers flying over the keyboard sitting on top of the desk. He frowns at the screen, scrolling through whatever appears in front of him.
The silence is deafening and finally, I have to ask. “Is there anything in the system?”
Roman squeezes my shoulder and my heart damn near stops beating as we wait for his answer.
He finally looks away from the screen and throws his hands in the air. “I can’t find a single thing about this dog.”
My eyes widen. “So, wait, what happens to her, then?”
Officer Johnson grins at me. “Well, are you volunteering to adopt her?”
I almost jump out of my chair. “Are you serious?” I squeak, tears pooling in my eyes yet again.
“I certainly am. You’ll have to fill out some paperwork, but since we don’t have any record of her, she can be yours if you want her.”
I squeeze her tight, burying my head in her glossy fur. “Did you hear that, baby? You’re coming home with us.”
Bella’s big eyes open even wider as she goes to town, attacking me with her tongue. I giggle-sniffle as she laps up my tears.
The first happy ones I’ve cried today.
A chill shuttles through me as I walk down a long hallway of white cinderblocks. My sneakers squeak on the shiny tile floor, the sound reverberating between the walls in the stark space. The guard leading me toward the prison visiting room unlocks the steel gate at the end of the corridor, pulling it open. He points toward a doorway.
“Take a seat at the glass and pick up the phone to talk,” he says in a no-nonsense tone that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I nod and take a few tentative steps into the room. A few others are there, chatting in hushed tones to the inmates whom they are visiting. I walk toward the stool at the far end of the row and sink onto the cold plastic stool as I wait for Papa to appear. I stick my thumbnail into my mouth and nibble it, my eyes darting left and right. There are multiple guards standing around the perimeter of the visitor room and even more guarding the prisoners on the other side of the glass.
Finally, Papa is led over to me by a guard who unlocks his handcuffs so he can pick up the phone. His appearance makes my heart ache. His eyes are heavy with dark circles underneath them. His skin is ashen and worn with deep wrinkles covering areas where only a few small lines took up residence before. His hair is graying, his body so much thinner.
I clap a hand over my mouth to prevent the whimper from escaping my lips.
I need to get a hold of myself, for fuck’s sake.
I know how much I’ve missed but I’m here now.
That’s what counts.
Papa’s lips lift into a smile as he speaks into the phone. His deep, raspy voice is so familiar and I’ve missed it…a lot more than I would have ever imagined.
“Bellisima,” he says. “I am so happy to see you.”
I try to return the smile, but I can’t. My lips quiver, my shoulders quake. “Papa, I’m so sorry…so sorry for turning my back on you. I didn’t know what happened that night. I didn’t know the truth. And even if it was true, I never should have ignored you that way and left you here by yourself.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t cry, mi amore. I always knew Frankie would get you to come for a visit.”
“I-I shouldn’t have waited,” I sputter. “I should have come on my own.”
“I am just so happy to see you,” he whispers, a tear in his eye. “I don’t care why you didn’t come before.” He peers behind me. “Did you come alone? Is Frankie with you?”
“No, Papa.” I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand, my voice cracking as I deliver the news that no parent ever wants to hear. “Something happened. Something bad, and he…he…” I shake my head, knowing I need to speak the words, but also fearing what the reality will do to my father who’s already lost so much.
But Papa doesn’t need me to say a thing. He can see it in my eyes and on my face, and big tears slide down his sunken cheeks as we grieve over our loss.
I long to reach out and grab him, to pull him close and to bury my head in his neck like I did when I was a little girl who needed the comfort of her papa. Back then, I always believed he’d protect me and keep me safe.
I know he’d do the same right now if he could.
Except now he’s behind bars serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.
And the Plexiglas prevents me from giving him comfort when he needs it most.
I’ll never be able to hold him, to hug him, to feel his warmth.
I’ll never be able to cry on his shoulder.
I’ll never be able to hold his hand.
And I’ll never be able to kiss him goodbye.
There are so many things I’ll never be able to do…things I took for granted before because I didn’t accept him or the life he lived.
But now I understand his truth and the price he is paying for his own sins.
He may not have killed the Russian soldier, but he battled with others and took plenty from them.
His penance is living with the harsh realization that almost everything good in his life is no longer.
Almost everything.
Because he still has me.
And I still have him.
I hate that I wasted so much time, but at least, I have the rest of his life to make up for it.
That is, if he doesn’t disown me for falling in love with the son of his enemy.
But if it’s one thing I’ve learned in the past twenty-four hours, it’s that the lives we lead are a direct result of the choices we make…good, bad, or otherwise.
I think we’ve both made enough bad ones to last us a lifetime.
It’s time to start making some good ones.
Starting right now.
Judging by the way Papa is looking at me, I know he would agree.
Epilogue
Part One: Roman
I clutch Marchella’s hand as we run through the revolving glass doors of Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas. We’re greeted by a whoosh of cold air as we hurry toward the reception desk.
I scrub a hand down the front of my face, my mind still processing Matteo’s words. The whole thing still just seems so…surreal.
The middle-of-the-night call, the urgency and concern in Matteo’s voice, the screaming sounds in the background, the crashing of something glass against a wall…
I should have been more prepared.
I mean, I know what date it is.
I guess I just still can’t wrap my head around the fact that my brother is gonna be a dad.
Is a dad…
<
br /> God help that kid with those fiery Irish and stubborn Italian genes battling for victory.
It’ll be a brutal one, for sure.
Chella’s hand is cold and a little bit clammy, and it makes sense that she’s nervous even though I’ve told her everything will be fine with my family.
Her memory of my brothers isn’t fabulous, and even though she’s made a fan out of Dante, Matteo and Sergio are definitely the toughest out of the three.
But she has nothing to worry about.
My brothers are rowdy and menacing, but they are loyal to a fault.
And they always look out for their own.
Family comes first…always.
And Marchella is now a part of that.
Well, not exactly yet, but it’s all part of my plan.
I sign our names and grab her hand, tugging her past the elevator to the stairwell next to it. The maternity wing is on the third floor, but Matteo has Heaven and the baby tucked away in a private wing, away from the craziness of the rest of the floor.
When you live our lives, you can never be too careful.
I can’t stop smiling as we run down corridors toward the exclusive suite where my family is congregated. I guess it’s good we’re clear of the rest of the floor since there are so many of us. I can hear talking and laughter as we take a final right turn.
“Sounds crowded,” Chella mutters as we get closer to the room. “I really feel a little bit weird…I mean, it’s your family. Isn’t it odd for me to be meeting them all for the first time at the hospital like this?”
But before I can assure her that the Villanis don’t do anything in a conventional way, my brother Sergio pops his head out of the doorway, a big smile on his face. “Romo!” he bellows, walking over to give me a hug. His fiancée, Jaelyn, rushes out behind him and throws her arms around me and then around Marchella. I haven’t been out here since Sergio got engaged, so this is the first time we’re “officially” meeting.
“FaceTime doesn’t do you justice,” I say to Jaelyn and she lets out a hearty chuckle before she gives Marchella a big hug.
“I’m so glad you’re both here in the flesh!” she exclaims. “We’re going to have such a fun time together!” Jaelyn turns back to me. “Where’s Dante?”
“He had a few things to take care of back at the hotel. He’ll be here in a little while.” I nod toward the room. “Who else is here? Did Heaven’s family make it?”
Jaelyn rolls her eyes. “Patrick and her Aunt Maura are here, but none of the others. Fucking Conor threatened them with their lives if they made the trip.”
“Asshole,” I mutter. Heaven had a pretty major falling out with her family after her father promoted her dickhead brother, Conor, over her months ago. She’d just married Matteo at her father’s request, and he shoved her aside, giving the reins to his oldest son, a complete shit heel who tried to kill her while high as a goddamn kite. He’s been running that organization deep into the core of the Earth since she cut ties with them, and in my opinion, it serves them right for fucking her over like that.
Marchella furrows her brow. “None of them? Not even her father?”
Sergio shakes his head, his jaw tight. “And she’s upset. Of course, she won’t admit to it, but you can see it. Matty is ready to flip his shit right now.”
“At least the two people she’s closest to are here,” I say as Matteo comes up behind me, a grimace on his face.
“Those assholes don’t deserve this kind of air time, not when there is someone very important you need to meet.”
“Well, before I meet that very important person, I’d like you to meet my important person. In person.”
A smile spreads over Matteo’s face and he pulls Marchella in for a bear hug. He’s not a huggy type of guy, so he must really be feeling the love today. Her face glows, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
“I’m so happy to be here,” she says, her face buried in his massive chest. “And so happy for you both. Congratulations!”
A minute later, Matteo leads us into the suite, every available space filled with flowers of every shape and size and bunches of helium balloons. There’s barely any room for visitors.
I leave Marchella with Jaelyn and Sergio and walk right up to the bed where Heaven is sitting up with a tiny pink bundle in her arms. She grins at me, looking every bit as gorgeous as she usually does, despite the fact that she just gave birth.
“That motherly glow is a good look for you,” I say, giving her a kiss.
“Roman, meet your niece, Aisling Lucia,” Heaven murmurs, gazing down at her daughter.
“After Mama,” I whisper, grazing the tip of her nose with the pad of my finger. Her skin is smooth and pink, her lips shaped like a perfect heart.
“She looks just like you,” I say. “Beautiful. I love her already.”
Heaven giggles softly. “You’re going to have to make some more trips out here.”
I furrow my brow, leaning back slightly. “You mean, you guys are staying?”
Matteo joins me and smiles at Heaven. “We’ve tossed the idea around. There’s a lot to do out here and farther west in California. Maybe it’s time for a change of pace.” He lifts an eyebrow. “You think you can handle things in the city?”
“Well, you haven’t fired my ass yet, so I’m thinking you already know the answer to that question.”
“You narrowly escaped my firing squad,” he says with a pointed look.
“Escaped is the key word there,” I say.
Matteo snickers. “Lucky is another word. Just saying.”
“Admit it. Baby bro has the skills he needs.”
Matteo lifts an eyebrow at me. “Baby bro needs to keep a closer eye on shit in the future or I’m gonna poke them both out.”
“Noted,” I say as Heaven chuckles.
“Matty, can you just get back to being the big ol’ pile of mush? Save the badass stuff for another day. Today is a special one. It’s your daughter’s birthday and we’re celebrating, not making thinly veiled threats about gouging out eyeballs.”
“My favorite sister-in-law,” I say.
“Hey!” Jaelyn says, walking over with her hands on her hips. “Maybe now she is, but pretty soon, she’s gonna be sharing that title!”
Heaven gives an exaggerated eye roll. “My God, you are so competitive. Just like your fiancé.”
“There’s no reason to be competitive when you know you’re the best,” Sergio calls out from his spot against the wall.
I catch Marcella’s eye and wink. “What can I say? Love it or leave it, but this is us.”
About an hour later, Marchella and I wander away from the now-overcrowded suite, our arms snaked around each other’s waists. She lets out a little sigh and leans her head on my shoulder. “Aisling is so gorgeous,” she breathes. “I can’t believe how tiny she is!”
“Yeah, she’s cute.” I say.
“I can’t wait to have kids,” she says. “I adore them.”
“You’d be a really great mom,” I murmur.
“Thanks.” She sighs. “I really miss the kids I used to teach. I always had so much fun going to work, you know, before everything happened with my dad. I mean, I love volunteering at the animal shelter now, especially since I can bring Bella with me. And I’m so glad I’m still able to visit the kids at the old community center and read to them. But I need something more, you know? I have a pretty expensive bilingual teaching degree, now I’m going for my masters. I want to use my credentials. I want a career. Purpose. Fulfillment. All of it.”
“I think we might be able to do something about that,” I say. “I can call in a few favors, get you set up at one of the private schools in the city.”
“Oh my God, like that wouldn’t be worse than dealing with the public school parents! How would private school parents react to having an Amante teach their kids? I mean, with the tuition they must pay?” She looks over at me like I’ve grown another two heads.
“Trust me, I can t
ake care of everything. You’re smart, gorgeous, and accomplished. They will love you.” I smirk. “Now, can we get back to the baby conversation?”
“Oh, are you ready for fatherhood?”
“Nah,” I say with a chuckle. “But I’ll tell ya, I suddenly have the urge to do a test run.” I stop suddenly in front of a door, backing her against it. “What do you say? Wanna fake make a baby with me?
The corners of her lips lift. “Oh, yes.”
I jiggle the lock and the door opens into a huge restroom. Oh, fuck yeah, this is how we roll in the VIP maternity wing.
I shut the door behind us, locking it before I turn toward Marchella. She eyes me with that come-hither look that always makes my cock tingle and slides her hand up her thigh, revealing a lacy pink thong under her skirt. With a quick, sexy wiggle, she manages to get the panties off before sashaying toward me, a seductive grin tugging at her lips. She grabs my belt buckle and yanks my shorts open. My dick springs to attention, precum glistening at the tip the second she starts stroking my hard length. I lift her into my arms and swing around so her back is against the wall.
She lets out a yelp. “Oh my God, cold tile!”
I snicker. “Don’t worry. I’m gonna warm you up nice.” I rub the swollen head of my cock against her wet slit. “You’re dripping for me, you dirty girl. You wanted me to fuck you against a wall in a bathroom, didn’t you?”
“Oh yeah,” she says in a breathy voice. “It’s the fantasy I’ve always wanted to live out with you.”
I cover my mouth with hers and she fists my hair, gasping against my lips as I slide my cock into her tight pussy. I thrust hard and fast as soon as I sink into her heat, unable to control myself.
Maybe it’s the baby stuff.
Maybe it’s the family stuff.
Or maybe it’s just because for the first time in my life, I’m really and truly happy.
All I know is that I need to be connected to her in every possible way.
And I couldn’t wait another second for it.
She digs her fingers into my back as I glide in and out, dragging my cock against her clit with each push and pull. Her walls clench around me, soft whimpers slipping from her mouth as she meets my every thrust. Her legs are locked around my waist, her body beckoning me, driving me deeper and deeper until I don’t know where I end and where she begins.
Savage Beast: A Dark Mafia Enemies to Lovers Romance (Sinfully Savage) Page 23