I now knew . . .
“Let’s get you cleaned up, son,” my father said, holding out his hand for me to take. “You did what you came to do. He deserved every fucking bit of it.”
I stood up, eye to eye with my father, slightly dazed. “What about—?”
“Not for you to worry . . .” came Julian’s voice from the other side of the room. “It’s as good as taken care of.”
CHAPTER 83
Chanel
We had all been at Lupo’s for the past hour. There was a lot of activity with everyone talking and drinking and eating, but I wondered where Dario and Giuseppe were. They had taken off shortly after Dario got showered and dressed. We were planning to make a whole night of it with everyone, and then all head back home to the Bay Area after the weekend.
“Antonina . . .” I started, when I approached her, my mother and Veronika chatting. She gave me a side eye, which cut off my words. “What . . . am I missing with that look?” I asked her.
“I think it’s about time you start referring to me as, “Mama,” she said, producing that beautiful smile of hers. I looked at my mother, searching for any signs of objection or jealousy and there was nothing but a smile on her face as well. “I mean, we are family. You are about to be the daughter that I never had, but always wanted. So, now, what were you saying?” she asked, playfully.
I chuckled and shook my head at the trio of them standing there, putting me on the spot.
“I was saying . . . Mama, where are our men?”
“That’s more like it,” she gushed, pulling me into a bear hug, and kissing me on both cheeks. “I expect that they’ll be here soon.” She released her hold on me. “Not to worry.”
“Okay. I just wonder where he could’ve gone. I already told that man that I didn’t want to be away from him at all . . . anymore. So, I need him to show that beautiful face back here, and soon.”
“And he will,” Tracie said, from behind me, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.
“I trust that. I just get so . . . you know.”
“I do,” she said, brushing her hand across my face, and looking into my eyes. “I missed you so much, girl.”
“Ditto, chica.”
“Where’s the future Mrs. Caivano?!” came pouring loudly into the room.
I looked toward the door and immediately laid eyes on Dario. I started cheesing like a fool, and so hard that my mouth felt stuck at the creases.
“She’s right here,” I beamed, running toward him. “Where have you been, baby?” I asked, lifting up on my tiptoes to kiss him on the lips.
“He was with me,” Giuseppe responded, touching my shoulder, as he walked past to join everyone else.
“Can I get everyone’s attention!” Dario requested. When all 11 people had gathered, Dario continued. “So, me and my fiancée had discussed what I thought I’d want to do after this fight. I might be thinking of coming out of retirement for good. It’s a might for now, but leaning on the side of ‘yes.’”
“That’s dope!” Rai exclaimed, slapping high-fives with Freddie.
“Along with that, since we are in Vegas, and it’s the place where a new beginning happened . . .”
I watched as Dario went down on one knee in front of me, and my hands went to my mouth. I was trying my very best not to cry.
“Baby, what are you doing?” I whispered to him. “We’re already engaged. What are you doing?” I said, under my breath.
“We’re engaged, but we’re not married.”
My eyes searched his for answers.
“Baby . . . what’s happening right now?” I asked.
“Life, baby. Life is happening right now, Chanel. Let it.”
“Okay . . .” I surrendered, swiping away at a falling tear, as my eyes slowly began to water.
“I want to spend my life with you, Chanel Norwood. I want to be the man that you always dreamed of. I want to carry any burdens that need to be lifted from your shoulders. I want to take care of you, show you that you’re loved every day, and make sure that you want for nothing except the air that I can’t breathe for you. Will you do me the honor of being my forever . . . starting right now?”
“Wait . . . huh?”
“Right now. In this moment. In this restaurant. Will you?”
I nodded my head, in response, the tears now falling out of my control. “Absolutely, baby! Absolutely!”
To my surprise, moments later, a man that I had seen casually, hanging back, approached the group of us.
“Congratulations to you both. I’m ready when you are,” he stated.
“This is really happening?” I cried to Dario.
“It is, baby.”
“Get over here, Rai . . .” Dario requested. Rai walked up to us and stood silent. I read my baby’s face, his body language. He was happy. He was also emotional and didn’t want to be, so he remained quiet. “I love you, dude,” Dario expressed to him. “I love you like you’re mine. Now, because of the dynamics of our family, it doesn’t make sense for me to adopt you legally. Though, I would love to do that. With all my heart, I would.” Dario looked to his uncle and aunt. “But I would love it if you would accept me as your Godfather. Because then, that gives me the permission to step in where Lucas cannot. I know he’d want that. So, if you would allow—”
Rai nodded his head, tears rolling down his face. “I do allow it,” he said, quietly, before walking into a hug with Dario.
A few minutes later, when my guys parted, and there wasn’t a dry eye left in the room, Dario said to the wedding officiant, “Let’s do it!”
And as we said our vows, in the company of our loved ones, I realized that my world was full. That I had everything I’d ever dreamed of. I wanted for nothing at all.
~ The End ~
OTHER BOOKS BY PERRI FORREST
Dario Caivano (2-book series)
In the Ring: A BWWM Love Story
In the Ring 2: A BWWM Love Story
Rush Cambridge (4-book series)
Rapture: A BWWM Alpha Male Romance
Gavin Brooks (2-book series)
Special Delivery
Special Delivery II
Love’s Awakening (2-book series)
Kennedy’s Awakening
Awakened Desires
Pandora’s Box (Brooklyn Kellogg continuing episodes)
The Color of Lies
What Lies Beneath the Surface
Beautiful Lies
Crooked Lies
The Graffiti Effect
Last Night
Family Ties
Beautiful Vengeance
Destined
Captivated
A Lioness’ Tale
Rendezvous
Isa: Gift of the Baloma
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In the Ring 2 Page 30