Epilogue

Fifteen years later…

"I'll need ten please,"I say, handing over mycard.

"Ten?" the guy asks, and I roll myeyes.

"Congratulations, you heard me correctly."

"Yes, sir. I'll bring those rightout."

Emma elbows me in the ribs and I growl at her. Then she winks, and I'm a slave for her. Never in a million years did I think a woman like her would have me wrapped around her finger. But I guess I should have always known. She was the one I'd waited for, and now that I've finally got her I've spent my life making her happy. Which, in turn, makes me happy. The old saying is true. Happy wife, happylife.

"Go easy on the guy. I'm sure it's not every day a couple with eight children comes in," she scoldsme.

It's Christmas and we've decided to get the kids cell phones. Then we decided we wanted to get new ones for us so we can try to keep up withthem.

"Please, one look at your curves and they understand why I can't keep my dick out of you." I pull her into my arms, and like always, she melts into me. Her arms go to my chest and my hands go to her ass. "This right here is the root of the problem," I say, squeezingit.

"You keep saying that. But I don't hear any complaints in the bedroom."

"Or the shower," I say, nibbling on herear.

"Definitely not in the shower," she agrees.

We had eight kids, all boys, before Emma said it was time to stop. I knew she couldn't handle another pregnancy, even with her having three sets of twins. I wanted to try for a girl, but Emma said she liked being the only woman in my life. I'm selfish enough to admit that sometimes I get jealous of all the boys getting her attention, but she always makes time for each of us, so I can't complain too much. Having eight kids is a lot to juggle, and I've never seen a better mother thanher.

"You keep talking like that and I'll have you bent over the table in this store," I say in herear.

"Please. You're way too possessive to let anyone watch us, and this storefront is made of glass."

"True," I say, but grab her ass again anyway just because Ican.

I still work with Sal, leading the Los Angeles mob and keeping our families protected. We've had peace for nearly two decades, and we plan to continue our life that way. When we were younger we had hope of growing our area and making money. We've done both and set down a legacy our children can be proud of. They may not understand it all at first, but in time, they will see that we are the ones who keep watch. We are the ones who make the place they live a safe place to be. I do hope that one day, when my sons are older, they will help carry on the name, just as Salvatore wishes for his sons. Just as our father before usdid.

Emma and I have talked many times over the years and she knows everything about my life. I've never kept a secret from her, and as time passed she was okay with knowing more. She even began to help with our businesses and legitimized a lot of what we do. Just as Thea helps Salvatore lead, Emma helps me. We all work together as a family, because that's what we trulyare.

I joke a lot with her about how long it took her to find me. But in truth, we met at the exact right moment. I found her at a time when I was finally ready to take care of her, when I could handle all of my responsibilities and anything that came our way. Wanting to be a father and actually becoming one were two different things. But seeing Emma as a mother and a wife changed me forever.

Even as I stand in a crowded mall right before Christmas, the only eyes I see are hers. There is no one I'd rather have by my side. And no one I'd rather have in my arms. I'm who I am because of her. I want to be the best version of myself because that's what she deserves. Well, that and a smack to the ass on the daily.

"What are you thinking about?" she asks, knowing me better than I know myself.

"Just wondering if you're going to wear that sexy red thing for me tonight," I reply, kissing her below herear.

The blush hits her cheeks and works its way down her neck. I know it's going to make her nipples rosy and hard, and my cock begins to throb.

"Giovanni," she chides, and looks around the crowd to make sure no one heardus.

"Is that ayes?"

"You know it is," she says, looking away fromme.

I catch the smile pulling at her lips and tug her back into myarms.

"I just like untying the bow in the back." She giggles, and I press my erection against her hip. "It's like Christmas morning the whole yearlong."

"Would you like it gift-wrapped?" the salesman asks, and I turn to look at him, boxes of phones in hisarms.

"That's none of your business," I growl at him, but Emma just rolls her eyes and pushes me behindher.

"Yes, please," she says, and he walks away. "Always so jealous."

"Damn straight," I retort, picking her up off the ground and holding her in my arms. "You're lucky I can't get you pregnant again or I'd do it right here just to prove you belong tome."

"Don't worry. I carry a picture of the boys in my wallet so I can show it to people if you need meto."

I laugh, but she's probably being serious.

"All right. As soon as this is over, you're taking me to get hot chocolate," she says as I put her down and she smacks my chest.

"You say that like I wasn't going to do it anyway."

"Okay, fine. But I want cookies, too."

"Anything you want, Dollface," I say, taking her hand and bringing it to my lips. I kiss the back of it, and she smiles. It's the one with dimples that I love so much. The one she gave me the first time we met. It's the one that tells me every day that she's the one and life isgood.

THEEND!