Shelby shifts, rolling us so I’m straddling him.His eyes are intense, burning with conviction.“Your turn to be on top, to lead us,” he murmurs, and his voice carries the weight of a vow.
I lean down to kiss him, and he guides his erection to my entrance.I straighten back up, start moving, setting a lazy rhythm to our lovemaking.His hands on my hips don’t try to direct me.
Locking eyes with me, he grunts, “I’m all yours tonight.”
New waves of pleasure pool deep inside.I throw my head back.“Tonight and forever.”
“Always,” he replies.
Before dawn breaks, we find ecstasy together again and again.Until, exhausted, we fall asleep embraced.
Two broken people who chose each other.
Two scarred souls finding healing together.
Two hearts that became whole through fire and darkness.
This is what the other side looks like.This is the happiness we fought for, bled for, nearly died for.
And it’s only the beginning.
Epilogue
Serena
Six Months Later
June sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows of what used to be my father’s office.The space has been completely transformed with new furniture, new artwork, and new energy.Gone are the dark mahogany and the oppressive atmosphere.In their place, I’ve created something lighter, more modern, filled with the kind of hope I want people to associate with the DiLorenzo name now.
Isabella looks up from her laptop across the conference table, her dark eyes bright with satisfaction.“The Rossi Foundation just received final approval for its tax-exempt status.We can start distributing grants to trafficking survivors by the end of the month.”
The Rossi Foundation.Named after Lucia, the girl my father sold to a monster.She is living with a foster family in California, receiving the best trauma therapy money can buy.Paid for by Varese Inc.
It doesn’t undo what was done to her.Nothing can.But it’s a start.
“And the shipbuilding company?”I ask, scrolling through reports on my own screen.
“Profits are up fifteen percent this quarter.The rebranding is working.”Isabella grins.“Turns out people actually like cruising.Who knew?”
I laugh, which comes more easily these days.
Normal looks different now.Normal is rebuilding the DiLorenzo empire piece by piece, stripping away the rot and replacing it with legitimate businesses that help people.It’s working alongside my sister to create something we can be proud of.Coming home every night to a husband who loves me without reservation.
My hand drifts to my stomach, where a different kind of normal is growing.
“You’re doing it again,” Isabella observes.
“Doing what?”
“Touch your belly and get this dopey smile on your face.”She sets down her laptop.“You’ve been doing it all week.Either you’re having a torrid affair with carbohydrates, or there’s something you want to tell me.”
I should have known I couldn’t hide it from her.Isabella sees everything.
“I’m pregnant.”
The words hang in the air for a moment.Then my sister is out of her chair, rounding the table, pulling me into a hug that’s fierce and joyful and everything I needed.
“Oh my God, Serena.”She pulls back, her eyes shining with tears.“How long?When did you find out?Does Shelby know?”
