“I appreciate the fact that you both are holding your approval until you see Loni because it shows how important she is to your family, and I know she would love your approval, especially you, Icilio. She cried so many tears at your loss. That being said, if either one of you makes my woman cry anything but happy tears ever again, I won’t hesitate to teach you a lesson. Loni is mine—my wife, my woman, and the mother of my child. You will all dowhatever it takes to make her feel loved, safe, and happy. Clear?” Halligan said.
Bruno chuckled. Icilio glared, but Halligan was positive they understood his position now.
Crewe tapped him and motioned toward the kitchen. His dad was standing there, waiting for the okay to bring Loni in. Halligan strode over to the door and stepped in.
“Halligan, you’re okay,” Loni said, throwing her arms around him. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to this feeling of her in his arms, loving him. And fuck—it took the threat for him to realize he loved her.
“I’m more than okay. I want to show you something,” he said, then paused. He wanted her to know everything before she faced her demon.
He cupped her face and stared into her dark eyes that he really hoped she passed on to their son or daughter. “I love you, and I love how I am when I’m with you. I can’t wait for the next fifty years plus with you and our children,” he said.
He watched her face, wondering if she’d feel obligated to say it back.
“I love you too, Halligan. From the moment you just accepted me when I showed up at the bar, it kept growing with each little thing you did to make me feel safe. When you were so happy about our little one, I knew you were exactly the man I thought you were, and I could open my heart. And children, as in plural?” she asked.
He chuckled. Trust his Loni to catch that. “Well, I do come from a big family, but now that we know where we both stand, I want to take you to talk with some people. Franco is in the bar but he’s under guard. One of the others, I know you’ll be excited to see,” he said, leading her through the door.
He felt the exact instant she saw Icilio. She covered her mouth and shook.
“Icy,” she yelled, running toward Icilio. Halligan hurried behind her, but his wife was in good hands. Icilio was hugging her and assuring her he was all right.
“How did you survive?” Loni asked.
“Franco was keeping me alive, I believe, to use as leverage against you. Bruno rescued me when they hit the compound,” he said.
Loni turned toward Bruno, holding out her hand. “I remember Papa talking about you before he passed. Thank you for rescuing Icilio,” she said.
Bruno stood, raising Loni’s hand and kissing it. “You were always your Papa and Gigi’s favorite…”
“Oh, shut up! I’m tired of her always being the golden grandchild. She’s worthless,” Franco yelled.
Halligan turned, walked closer, and punched Franco the way he’d been aching to for days.
“You shut up,” Halligan said.
“Yes, Franco. Right now, you’re existing there, which is better than the alternative—not existing,” Bruno said, turning back to Loni. “Principessa, are you happy here?” he asked.
Even though Loni had told him that she loved him, her claiming him in front of Icilio and Bruno meant something.
“Oh, I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. Halligan’s thrilled about the baby and I owe my happiness to you and our plan,” she said.
Halligan watched a myriad of emotions cross Icilio’s face. He’d functioned as her bodyguard, but from what she’d said about their relationship, technically he was her cousin, but he’d been the older brother she’d always wanted. Even though he’d known about the baby, it had to be hard to realize she was married and he wouldn’t be her security anymore.
“I’m so happy for you. I worried about you while I was held, but I kept telling myself, my Loni is smart, and we’ve gone overthe plan. I’m so proud of you for getting you and the baby safe,” Icilio said.
“You better hope I don’t get free because I will end any children you have,” Franco yelled.
Halligan turned to go hit him again, but Loni stopped him.
“I’ve got this,” she said, shaking her finger at Icilio when he started to head toward Franco, too.
It didn’t stop either him or Icilio from standing behind her to back her up. She walked to the bar, grabbing a couple of items and a bar towel. She looked at the men standing on each side of Franco.
“I don’t want him moving. Can you make sure he doesn’t move?” she asked.
Halligan was watching and trying to figure out what his wife had planned for her brother. Each of the men grasped Franco by his shoulders, holding him down on his knees. They’d placed Franco in flexi-cuffs while Halligan, Bruno, and Icilio had enjoyed the appetizers.
“Perfect,” she said, standing in front of him. Without warning anyone, she kicked him in the crotch, making every man in the room wince.
