Page 40 of The Mobster’s Nurse

“Don’t leave,” he moans against my lips.

Every instinct I have screams at me to stay. I’m not even sure if I was ever going to leave. Or just assessing the possibility so that I could assure myself I wasn’t sleepwalking into this new world.

“If I wanted to, could I?” I ask. I have to know.

“You’re asking if I’d keep you as a prisoner.”

I nod.

He scowls, sinking his fingers into my hips. Squeezing me like he's afraid I'll disappear. But I won’t. Even if I’m not ready to admit it yet. To myself. To him.

“I’ve got darkness in me, you beautiful, perfect woman. But that darkness will never, ever be aimed at you. It’ll only be used to protect you.”

“I care about you more than I thought I could care,” he says, holding me even tighter.

And the truth? The one I keep fighting, or pretending to fight?

I never want him to let go.

“I’m not going to take it further than this. Not yet. But Ellie, I need you to give this—give us—a try. I need to know we have a shot.”

Tears flood my eyes as I look up at him, his beautiful, intimidating brown-red eyes, his hard, manly features. His complete, desperate, but devoted love for me.

“I’d like that,” I say, and they feel like the most important words I’ve ever spoken.

He cheers as if I’ve just said yes to a marriage proposal.

Lifts me into his arms. Kisses me fiercely as Lucky Charm neighs happily in the background as though she understands the significance of what’s just happened.

EPILOGUE

LUCA

One Week Later

“Yes! Yes!” Dad roars from the seats just across from us, leaping to his feet and clapping his hands together.

Lucky Charm has just stormed past the finish line, in first place, which was the plan all along. I sit with my arm wrapped around Ellie, holding her tightly. I look down to find her smiling up at me, her light green eyes full of affection and belonging.

A week ago, I wasn't sure she'd still be here. Now I can't imagine her anywhere else.

Dad is so happy, he pulls Vito into a big hug and slaps him on the back. I grin, accidentally spitting out some champagne as I spot Vito awkwardly clapping Don Dario in return, clearly uncomfortable. Georgio, also grinning but more discreetly, turns to me and raises his glass; we clink our glasses, and soon the private booth turns into a small party.

I take Ellie to the corner of the room. Eager for some alone time with her. Which isn’t saying much. This week has been all about cleanup, ensuring the Irish presence is completely gone. For now, anyway. I haven’t forgotten the Lynchpin’s threat.

She looks up at me. Smiling. Bright. Happy. “What?” she murmurs. “You’re staring.”

“Can you blame me?” I counter. "I love seeing you like this. So alive. So content."

She grabs my shirt. Pulls herself close. "I almost talked myself out of this," she says softly. "I'm so glad I didn't."

I wrap my arms around her, hugging her fiercely. Dad watches us from the other side of the room. Then he works one of the rings off his finger, walks over, and offers it to Ellie.

“Would you be so kind as to give this to my son, dear?” Dad says kindly.

Ellie takes it. “Sure, Dario.”

He smiles, winks at me, then leaves.