I nod at him as he turns away from me, getting out of the car to come round to my side and open my door for me. He helps me out and before I go to walk away, I look at him once more, my heart feeling so full.
“I love you.” I say proudly.
“I love you too, you’ve got this.” He winks back at me and I turn round and take another deep breath in until my lungs feel like they burn with the air I’m holding inside. I take a step and exhale, one step at a time, one breath at a time, feeling better about doing this.
I look back over my shoulder to see Dragna leaning against the hood of the car in his grey sweatpants and black compression top looking as casual as ever with his arms folded across his giant frame. The image brings a smile to my face knowing that he’s mine, and not only is he more handsome than I could ever put into words, but he cares, he loves, he listens.
He has helped me more than I think he realises since everything that happened, despite him blaming himself, but if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be able to even step outside of the car today or even be able to leave the house. He has so much patience and I smile to myself knowing that no matter what lifethrows at us, we will always be able to help each other reach the other side.
He is everything I could wish for and more.
Chapter Sixty Two
Dragna
“Are you sure about this?” I ask as Willow steps out from the bathroom dressed in a long black silk dress. She looks so good that I’d rather just undress and eat her instead of going out tonight.
“I’m sure. If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it.” She says, stepping up to the full length mirror in my bedroom and puts her earrings in. She leans in closer to the mirror and the dress clings to her in the best way possible.
She lost a lot of weight in Boston and has been struggling to eat due to the trauma but she still looks perfect to me. No matter what she looks like, or what she goes through, I will love her all the same and ensure she loves herself too no matter what.
“God you look beautiful.” I say as I step up behind her and trace a hand over the spaghetti strap on her shoulder. I pull it down and kiss where it sat as she stands to her full height and leans into me, letting out a sigh.
“Stop distracting me.” She laughs as she elbows me in the stomach making me bark out a laugh of my own.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I say holding my hands up, feigning innocence.
“You do look beautiful though, and I’m definitely going to have to blind any man that looks at you for longer than two seconds tonight.”
“Just because I know about what you do now doesn’t mean I like to hear you talk openly about blinding or gutting anyone, and what was it you said about the delivery guy the other night?Oh yes, cutting off his balls and shoving them down his throat.” She shivers as I try to hide my smirk.
“I can’t help it. If anyone thought I was dangerous before, they are in for a surprise when it comes to how far I’m willing to go for you now.” I say as she gives me a stern look that says I’m being unreasonable. I love when she looks at me like that. I love when she looks at me in any way, as long as I’m the only one she’s looking at, I’m happy.
“Come on, we’re going to be late. The table is booked for eight.” She says grabbing my hand and pulling me out of my bedroom.
We reach the bottom of the stairs where the dogs are all laid out on the sofa much to my dismay, but Willow allows them and they take every opportunity to do whatever she lets them. I grab her coat, holding it out for her to put it on as she calls out to our three fur babies as she calls them, and she gushes over them telling them to be good while we are away out.
When we got back home after Boston, the dogs didn’t leave her side and she broke down in tears seeing them again.
They spent the first night back at my house snuggled up on the sofa together and she fell asleep amongst the three of them while I sat watching her all night from the other sofa.
They definitely missed her as much as she missed them, if not more.
“Don’t you two look perfect.” Lev sings from the car as we approach. I regret saying yes to sharing a car with him now, but it means a lot to Willow that we all travel together. I just hope Lev and Alina can hold off on fighting for one fucking night for Willows sake.
It’s my birthday and she organised a dinner for everyone to celebrate at Marco’s restaurant and I am beyond proud of the progress she’s been making in therapy. She has been going to speak to someone twice a week for a few weeks now abouteverything she went through and she decided it was time to face her fear and go out in public again, even if said public is actually just everyone we know. Baby steps, and I’m supporting her all the way.
I’m so proud of her. I don’t think she realises still just how much she makes me want to be better, stronger and more courageous. She’s transformed my life in so many ways and these months of spending time with her and treating her like the queen she is have made me happier than I have ever been in my life.
“You look adorable in your suit Lev!” She squeals and his face drops. I don’t even hide my laughter as he looks offended she called him adorable.
“Adorable?? Seriouslysestronka, fucking adorable? Don’t make me have to go inside and change.” He groans and Willow is laughing just as much as I am now.
“Okay fine, you look handsome… better?”
She beams a smile at him and it’s so good to see one of her genuine smiles. They are appearing on her face more and more every day and each one still hits me in the gut like it’s the first time ever seeing her smile.
“Hmmm, I don’t believe you, but I also don’t want your boyfriend to castrate me for making us late if I go in and change so it will have to do.”
