“Enzo told me how Will saved you on multiple occasions. If he’s what you want… then… I approve. I may not like it but I want you to be with someone who will protect you. And I want to be in your life. You’re my niece. I raised you. You’re more like my daughter.”
I walk over to her and pull her in for a hug. “I want you in my life too. As long as you stop trying to control me. That’s all I ask.”
“I’ll try. I didn’t even realize I was doing it to begin with.”
I know it’s going to be a long and hard process with Francesca. I’m sure she’s going to try and control me many more times after today but as long as I have my freedom, I’ll be able to handle it.
A low groan comes from the bed. Whirling around, I see that Will has woken up.
“Will,” I gasp, rushing to his side. “You’re alive. You’re ok.”
“Gianna?” His eyes are wide as he stares up at me with wonder. “You’re alive.”
“You threw yourself in front of Nico’s bullet for me and my brother. Why did you do that?”
“Because… because I couldn’t lose you. And I couldn’t let your brother die. I knew it would hurt you too much.”
A sob escapes me as I burrow my face into his neck. Will wraps his hand around the back of my head, holding me close.
“I know you just woke up,” Enzo says. “But we need to talk.”
Will stiffens. “About what?”
“You saved my sister’s life. You saved my life. I’m grateful for that. I see I was wrong about you. My sister loves you. She has made that clear. But if you’re just using her for fun, then I’ll get rid of you so fast you won’t be able to even blink. You need tomarry her. For peace. For an alliance. It’s the only way you’ll get to be together.”
“Enzo,” I scold. “Let me explain it to him.”
“There’s no need,” Will rushes to say. “You need me to marry Gianna so we can be together? I will do it.”
I gasp. “Will? I don’t want you to say yes if you don’t mean it.”
His eyes soften as he cups my face. “Gianna, I didn’t get to say it before but I need you to know. I love you.” My tears stream onto his fingers. “If marrying you is what it takes to keep you in my life, I will gladly do it. Marriage doesn’t scare me.”
“It doesn’t?”
“No. Not at all. Being with you doesn’t scare me. You’ve changed me. But it was for the better. I wasn’t happy in my life but you’ve shown me I can have more. I want more. I want to be with you.”
“I never thought I would find love with a hitman,” I gasp out with a laugh.
“And I never thought I would find love with a woman I kidnapped. It’s a crazy story. And I’m sorry I put you through any of it.”
“I’m not. It changed my life for the better. It gave me you. I want to experience freedom with you.”
“Then let’s get married,” he says. “I just want you in my life. That’s all.”
“You’ll work for me,” Enzo says.
“Not as a hitman,” Will responds. “I’m done being that. I’m done being a plaything for mafia men.”
Enzo nods. “Fair enough. Since you’ll be married to my sister, you’ll be my right-hand man. I’ll expect a lot from you but I won’t ask you to kill anyone. You’ve earned your place at my side. The way you’ve saved my sister… I never expected anyone to be that selfless.”
“She’s worth it to me.”
“I can see that.” Enzo offers me a small smile and a pat on the arm. “I’ll give you two a moment.”
“Enzo, wait,” I say. “What about Marco? He’s still out there. We don’t know what happened to him.”
“Between me and Will, we’ll keep you safe. Marco will make his presence known at some point. Until then, we’ll be ready and prepared. And as for Nico, I made sure to tell a member of the hospital staff who shot off that gun. The police have already arrested him.”
