The minivan jerked as DeeDee took a sharp corner.Lexie’s body swayed with the motion, but she caught the muttered expletives.DeeDee’s eyes flicked nervously to the rearview mirror.
“They’re coming for you,” Lexie chirped with mock sweetness.“Just let me out and keep driving.Maybe I can convince them to go easy on you.”
Julianne twisted in her seat, her eyes blazing with fury.“Shut up!”
Lexie flinched, but masked her fear with defiance.“Fine.Don’t listen to me.Just wait and see what happens.”
Suddenly, the faint wail of sirens echoed in the distance.DeeDee cursed again, her hands gripping the wheel so tightly that her nails dug into the leather.
Then came another sound—low, rhythmic thumping that grew louder by the second.It wasn’t sirens.It was something else entirely.Lexie tilted her head, straining to identify it.The noise became deafening, a powerful, pulsing whoosh.
Her eyes widened as a massive helicopter landed on the street ahead of them, its rotors whipping the air into a frenzy.The minivan swerved and came to a screeching halt, the tires squealing as DeeDee slammed on the brakes.
Lexie’s survival instincts kicked in.She grabbed her tote bag, her adrenaline surging and she shoved at the door handle.The door opened, and she tumbled out onto the pavement, her heart pounding as she scrambled to her feet.
A figure emerged from the helicopter, broad shoulders silhouetted against the chaos.Max.She barely registered the police officers shouting orders at DeeDee and Julianne to get on the ground.All she could see was him.
“Max!”she screamed, her voice breaking with relief.She dropped her bag, sprinting toward him with everything she had.Tears blurred her vision, but it didn’t matter.Max turned, his sharp, furious gaze softening the moment it locked onto her.He opened his arms just in time to catch her as she threw herself at him.
“Max!”she sobbed, burying her face against his neck.His arms came around her, strong and unyielding, pulling her close.
“I told them you would come for me,” she whispered, her words muffled against his skin.“I told them, and they wouldn’t listen.”
His hold tightened, his lips brushing the top of her head as he murmured, “You’re safe now,mia cara.I’ve got you.”
She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her tears mingling with a relieved smile.Someone cut away the plastic zip ties and she threw her arms around Max, hugging him tightly.“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling but full of gratitude.
Max’s gaze flicked briefly to the chaos around them—the sirens, the shouting officers, while DeeDee and Julianne were being forced to the ground.But then his focus returned to her, his expression a mix of tenderness and ferocity.“I love you, Lexie!”he growled, pulling her in closer.“I love you so damn much!
She leaned up and kissed him, the world around them fading away as she poured all her relief, gratitude, and love into that moment.“I love you too!”she whispered.
He looked down at her, heat and intensity in his eyes.“Does this mean you’ll marry me?”
Lexie laugh/sobbed and snuggled closer.“Absolutely!”
Epilogue
Thesoundoflaughterand tiny feet pattering on the hardwood floors echoed through the house.Lexie stood in the middle of the chaos, holding a stack of plates, her voice raised to be heard over the commotion.“Boys!The table won’t set itself!Let’s go!”
The four little tornadoes that were her sons didn’t even glance her way.Eight-year-old Matteo was chasing his six-year-old twin brothers, Nico and Luca, around the kitchen island, while four-year-old Giovanni, clutching a wooden spoon, banged it against the counter as if it were a drum.
“Matteo!Stop chasing your brothers!”Lexie called, trying to sound stern while stifling a laugh.“Nico, Luca—put those breadsticks down!Giovanni, no drumming on the furniture!”
None of them listened.It was utter mayhem, and the stack of plates in her hands wobbled dangerously as she tried to dodge the twins, who zoomed past her, giggling uncontrollably.
At the stove, Max stood with his back to the chaos, his sleeves rolled up and his hair slightly mussed.He was stirring a massive pot of sauce with one hand while expertly tossing fresh spaghetti in a pan with the other.Flour dusted his dark shirt and the counter around him showed remnants of the dough he’d rolled out earlier.
“You okay over there, Lex?”he asked, glancing over his shoulder.His grin was pure amusement, but there was a warmth in his eyes that hadn’t dimmed even slightly over the years.
She set the plates down, then planted a hand on her hip, glaring at him playfully.“You could help me corralyoursons, you know.”
Max chuckled, shaking his head as he turned back to the stove.“Control them?No chance,mia cara.They’re all yours when it comes to that.”He scooped a spoonful of sauce and tasted it, nodding in satisfaction.“Besides, they’re having fun.”
“They’re utterly feral,” she muttered, trying to grab Giovanni before he resumed banging the spoon on the cabinet.She missed, and the little boy scampered away, giggling mischievously.
Max turned off the stove and carried the pot of sauce to the counter, his movements unhurried despite the pandemonium around him.“Dinner’s ready!”he announced.
That got the boys’ attention.Matteo skidded to a halt, his eyes lighting up.“Pasta night!”
