“We’re just really excited for you,” Mom says with tears in her eyes. “Now both my boys are happy.” She plants a hand over her heart as emotion crests over her face. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” A sob rips from her throat, and Lili instantly shucks out of my arms to hug my mother.
Serena sidles up to me. “Look after my daughter, Caleb,” she says as we watch my mom and Lili hug and whisper. Our sisters have long since grown bored and ditched us for the climbing frame.
“I will take care of her. I promise.”
She pats my arm. “Alesso wants to speak with you,” she adds, and I work hard not to roll my eyes. “You are Elisa’s choice. He just wants to know you’ll love her and protect her. Reassure him, and he’ll back down.”
I doubt it’ll be that simple, but there’s no point in worrying Serena. “I’ll talk to him later.”
“Also, Sierra said to tell you the west wing is vacant, and you’re welcome to it tonight.”
“That’s kind of her.” It feels good to have so many people rooting for us. Honestly, I’m surprised, but I’m not going to knock a gift horse in the mouth. It would be nice to spend tonight with Lili, curled up on the couch, watching a movie, and getting better acquainted with her exquisite mouth. I’ve never been more turned on just from kissing, and it’s further proof of how we have always been meant to be. I don’t care what anyonesays, Lili is the one, and I’m determined to make that reality a permanent reality in the very near future.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Caleb
“He’s got that goofy grin on his face again,” Cristian says, yanking me out of the delicious daydream playing on a loop in my head.
I’m reliving Sunday night on repeat because it was magical. Who’d have thought a night in front of the fire, sharing a bottle of red wine, and binge-watching some popular historical romance show, would turn out to be one of the best nights of my life. But it was, and it’s all because of Lili. Holding her in my arms and getting to kiss her at will is something I’ve only dared to dream about, and now it’s my new reality.
Lili turns the mundane into the surreal, and suddenly life has new meaning. The restless unfulfillment that has plagued me the past year is a diminishing sentiment now I have the woman of my dreams in my life.
Everything makes sense with Lili, and nothing seems insurmountable. I’ve been walking on a cloud since Sunday, and I didn’t even get laid. Didn’t even sleep beside her because we slept in different bedrooms in the west wing, and I was A-okay with that. I meant it when I told her she will set the pace. I don’twant her to feel under pressure to have sex. My blue balls can wait until she’s ready.
“He’s had that look on his face constantly the past two days,” Joshua replies, handing me a cup of coffee as we wait for the rest of The Commission members to arrive for the meeting.
“You’re in no position to throw shade.” I jab a finger at my brother.
“Truth.” Cristian grins, slapping me on the back. “I’m looking forward to a nice payout come year’s end.” He rubs his hands with glee.
“I’ll gladly double the pot if it means I get Lili up the aisle this year.”
“You might want to keep sentiments like that to yourself around Alesso,” Ben says, entering the room and overhearing.
“We’re cool,” I say. “As long as I don’t hurt her and never ever make her cry,” I add, repeating the words Alesso said Sunday night when we spoke. Despite what Serena said, I was expecting a brutal lecture, but he didn’t go there. He simply told me to take care of her and to not hurt her or I’d have him to deal with. I can respect that.
“I hope it works out,” Ben adds, squeezing my shoulder. “Elisa is a sweetheart.”
“She is, and I’m a lucky bastard.”
The others arrive, and Massimo calls the meeting to order. Pagano and Agessi dial in from Florida and Vegas, listening attentively as Mazzone, Maltese, and our president give us an update on the meeting in Ireland with Puccinelli and the NaplesCamorracrew. It was a rousing success, and a peace deal has been negotiated, meaning there are no more threats to our families or our businesses.
“Are you sure they weren’t yanking our chain?” I ask, not sure if I’m buying it.
“As sure as we can be. They have never wanted war. Maximo Greco led them to believe we were all corrupt power-hungry animals and we were sabotaging the name of the Italian mafia in the U.S.”
“And they just accepted him at his word?” Cristian asks.
“Not at all,” Fiero says. “It took years for Maximo to convince them they needed to intervene. At first, they sought refuge there, claiming it wasn’t safe after the bombing, and theCamorrawelcomed them and ensured they were cared for. They didn’t ask for anything but shelter, biding their time. It seems Maximo and Primo spent years building a tangled web of lies behind the scenes and gradually pulling others into their net. They timed it perfectly, only approaching Puccinelli when they believed they could convince him they had to intervene. They played up what happened with DeLuca and suggested we were targeting them next, wanting to wipe out any competition in Italy from coming after our territory. Cruz and Marino supported those claims, stating it was why there were traitors willing to go againstomertato save the sanctity of the organization.”
“I can’t believe they fell for it,” Volpe says.
“They weren’t fully sold,” Ben says, “but this is the clincher.” He sits up straighter. “Greco told them he had evidence that would prove we were all corrupt. Puccinelli attacked on the basis of seeing that intel once they made it to the U.S.”
Joshua and I trade looks.
“That’s what they think is in the files?” I ask.
