Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Luca

“ON ANOTHER NOTE, I’d like to commend you all on an incredible four years of hard work, dedication, and resilience. Your journeys are just beginning, and we couldn’t be prouder of the work you’ve done here.”

The dean of Yale Medical School looked out into the crowd, meeting the eyes of the students, and as his gaze landed on Luca, he smiled.

“It’s our honor to send you off into the world to make it a better place than when you found it. We know you’ll do us proud.”

As he continued with his speech, Luca looked over to where his parents sat in the stands, excitedly taking photos and videos. He thought back to high school graduation, when they’d done the same thing, and how embarrassed he was. But now, after everything they’d gone through in the last two years, he only felt the pride and love emanating from them.

He waved at them, and as his mom began to blow kisses, he chuckled.

How had he ever thought for a second that he would lose the relationship he had with them? After he’d found out they weren’t his biological family, he thought that meant everything would change, but it had only brought them closer. Without the big secret between them, there’d been no more lies, and he was able to confide in them about what had happened to him—and his time with no judgment, just complete understanding.

And on the school front, he’d thrived. Missing out on his first few weeks of rotations had only renewed his passion for his chosen profession, but this time, he hadn’t hidden himself away studying in his room twenty-four seven. After all, life was about balance, right?

“Let me be the first to congratulate you, our graduating class of 2024!”

Cheers erupted as the new class of doctors, Luca included, got to their feet. A heavy arm wrapped around his neck, pulling him in tight.

“I’ll be damned. We actually did it,” Silas said, grinning broadly when he finally let go.

“Well, we all knew I’d do it, but I expected your diploma to be from the local pub rather than Yale.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m picking that one up later.” Silas shot him a wink before someone grabbed him from behind and drew his attention away.

Luca shook his head as he watched his friend disappear into the crowd, wondering how in the hell he’d gotten one of his top three choices of residencies—and in pediatrics, no less. Turned out he was better with babies than actual adults.

Huh. Now that he thought about it, maybe that did make more sense.

He turned around, rising on his toes to see past the swarm of people who had made their way down onto the field, but it was impossible to find anyone. He pushed his way into the aisle, past all the people hugging and slapping high fives, and just as he was about to make his way up into the stands to get a better view, a pair of muscular arms wrapped around him from behind.

“Don’t even think about trying to get away,” a deep voice said by his ear.

Luca’s heart began to race, and he turned his head to look at his captor and smiled. “I would never.”

“Never? Now that’s a lie. I have a very clear memory of you racing through the back halls of Midas in an attempt to get away from me.”

“Attempt?” Luca scoffed. “It was more like a home run until—”

“Until I caught you and brought you back where you belong.” Dom’s lips curled into that arrogant smirk that Luca found irresistible.

“Oh yeah?” Luca wound his arms around Dom’s neck. “That’s not how I remember it.”

Dom lowered his head and brushed his lips across his, making Luca’s toes curl in his leather shoes.

“That’s because I’m choosing to remember it in a positive light.”

Luca chuckled. “Well, that is a step in the right direction. Positivity leads to balance, and—”

“That’s what our therapist suggested I try to do more of, right? Think positive.”

Luca laughed, knowing good and well that Dom’s version of thinking positive probably wasn’t what his therapist had in mind. But hey, as long as he saw it as a step in the right direction, who was Luca to take that away from him?

“Mhmm, and I’m very proud of you.”

“Speaking of being proud…” Dom ran his hand down the back of Luca’s gown. “Have I mentioned how happy and proud I am of you?”

Luca’s cheeks heated.

“You look very…scholastic in your cap and gown, Dr. Davis.”

“Scholastic, huh?”

“Hmm.” Dom reached up and flicked the tassel of Luca’s cap. “Very much so. We might have to bring that back to our place tonight.”

It shouldn’t be possible for Luca to be so turned on in amongst hundreds of his friends and peers, but the mere mention of heading back to their home—their bed—made things other than his heart pound.

“You need to stop,” he said under his breath as Dom reached for his hand, entwining their fingers. “We have a very important dinner to go to tonight, hosted by the university’s newest and biggest donor. I think it would be frowned upon if he didn’t show up.”

“You do, do you?”

“I do. The dean is looking forward to introducing Domenico Rossetti as one of their patrons. With all the connections and clout you bring with you, he will be positively glowing up there.”

“And you? What will you be doing?”

Luca’s heart swelled as he thought about all of the good and legitimate causes he’d been able to support Dom in lately, and tugged him a little closer.

“I’ll be watching on, beaming with pride. Aaand maybe counting down the minutes until I get you alone.”

“And you say I’m the bad influence.”

“Just how many weapons do you have on your person right now, Mr. Rossetti?”

“At least nine.”

“And the amount of security detail here watching us?”

Dom smirked. “Now that I won’t tell you.”

“What? Keeping secrets? How unlike you,” Luca said with a roll of his eyes.

“Hey, I promised to keep you out of the dirty details, and I’m a man of my word.”

“That you are.” Luca reached for the back of Dom’s neck, bringing him in for a kiss that had his insides melting. How Dom was still able to do that after two years, Luca didn’t know, but he couldn’t see those butterflies stopping anytime soon. Dom wasn’t any less dangerous than the day they’d met, but he made Luca feel like the most cherished, prized possession in the world, and that was worth everything.

“Oh hey, did you ask Caterina about what we talked about?”

Dom chuckled. “Yes, but she wasn’t amused.”

“But she’s doing it anyway?”

“I don’t know, she is having the time of her life in Italy. I’m not sure she’ll be keen to leave anytime soon.”

“Especially with Chef there as her ‘bodyguard.’ She could always mail it.”

“Ah, yes, the ‘can you please mail my whip so I can crack it on my boyfriend’s body’ conversation. That’ll go over well.”

“Are you saying that you, the heir to the Rossetti throne, are scared to ask your sister for one little favor? Guess I’ll have to call her up.”

“Or better yet, we can fire up the jet and head there ourselves.”

Luca’s jaw dropped. “Oh shiiit. Now that’s a graduation present. Can we do that for real?”

“That depends. When do you start your residency?”

“July first. That only gives us a few weeks, but if you can manage to be away…”

“I think my father can handle things in my absence,” Dom said with a wink. “So this surgeon outfit of yours…what does it look like?”

“Pretty sure it’s a boring set of scrubs.”

“Scrubs? Hmm. And these scrubs have easy access? In case someone were to stop by on your lunch break, since you’ll be so close?”

Luca laughed as Dom nuzzled into his neck, nipping at his skin. “I don’t think surgeons get lunch breaks. You must have me confused with someone else who won’t be living at the hospital.”

“I don’t fucking think so. You’ll be living with me, and not just weekends anymore. Every night, you’re mine. And if you even think of backing out of that deal—”

“You’ll send Joe to snatch me up?”

“Yes.” The look on Dom’s face was so serious that anyone else would probably cower in fear, but Luca could only crack a smile.

“What did I tell you? It’s you and me.” He threaded his hands through Dom’s thick black hair and pulled him in close, brushing his lips against the soft, tempting ones he wanted to devour. “Per sempre.”

“Sei mio. Per sempre.”