Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Massimo

We walk up the steps of JJ Kane's home. We pause on the top step, and she turns to me. "Does it hurt?" She gestures to the bandage on my cheek.

Yesterday, she wanted to call the ambulance, but I directed her to call JJ's doctor, who came immediately. He dressed the wound without comment—he's probably seen some strange things, considering who he works for—told me it wouldn't need stitches, and left. After prescribing some painkillers, which I, of course, ignored. The pain is good. It's a reminder of just how close I came to losing her.

Not that I would have ever let that happen, but when I saw her face after confessing to stalking her, when she realized I had been in the apartment next door all along… For a second there, I thought she'd leave me. I hoped she wouldn't. Hoped she'd understand why I had to do what I did… But it had been a risk.

So when, instead of getting angry with me, she actually told me she understood my stalker tendencies, I couldn't believe my luck. I don't deserve her. This woman, who has been through so much and come out stronger than she was before… I needed a way to show her just how much she means to me. It had to be what I did… It couldn't be anything else. This way, her stamp of ownership is on me for all the world to see. And I wear it proudly.

"It twinges a little, but otherwise, it's fine," I murmur.

"I hope it doesn't scar." Her brow furrows.

"I hope it does," I retort.

She shakes her head. "I still can't believe you did it."

"I knew I was going to do it as soon as you walked in on the engagement of your sister in that red dress and stood defiantly in the doorway."

"When I stumbled and found myself pressed against your chest, I thought I was imagining things. I had spent the last few days trying to forget you, and there you were, larger-than-life."

"I'll never forget about you lying to me and telling me you were in love with someone else."

"It was always you. I was just afraid of the intensity of my feelings for you." She leans up and smooths the lapels of my jacket.

"I have another surprise for you," I say softly.

She arches any eyebrow. "Does it have to do with guns or knives? Because, if so, I have to warn you, my husband already aced that space."

"Spoken like a true Mafia bride." I chuckle. "No, it's something more personal. Something to do with a horseshoe, actually.'"

"A horseshoe?" Her forehead furrows.

"Look in the inside pocket of my jacket."

She dips her hand inside, and pulls out the chain with the horseshoe pendant. Her gaze widens. "This is—" She squints at it, then at me. "Is this?—"

"It is." I take the chain from her, then fasten it around her neck. "There, now you look perfect."

She fingers the pendant. "Where did you find it? It was a gift from my father. I looked everywhere for it. I thought I'd lost it."

"You left it behind in the bed where we first made love."

"Oh." She lowers her eyelids, and when she raises them again, her eyes shine. "All this time, Massimo—" She swallows. "You had it all along?"

"Every part of you belongs to me, Stellina. You didn't think I'd ever let anyone else find it, did you? I kept it because it was a link to you, a touchstone. Every time I missed you, I caressed it and felt closer to you. I was sure it would bring us back together, and I was right. I'm never letting you go again, Via."

"Massimo." She searches between my eyes. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I caress her cheek. "And you can thank me properly when we get home, but for now, you can start with telling me how I look."

"Do you even have to ask?" She tugs on the lapels, and I bend my head. She leans up on tiptoes and presses a kiss to my lips. "You look like the most handsome man in the world. I already know, when you remove the bandage, the scar is only going to add to your rakish good looks. I'm going to have to fight to keep the women away from you."

"Women, what women?" I glance around, then back at her. "I only have eyes for you, baby."

"Flattery will get you everywhere." She laughs.

"Thank you for seeing the psychologist earlier today." I brush my knuckles across her cheek.

"Thank you for making me see one. I'm sure it's going to make a difference. Although, I have to admit—" she bites the inside of her cheek "—I think you were right. Since we started fucking again, I haven't cut myself."

"And if I have my way, you'll never be without endorphins in your blood stream. You know what that means, right?"

"What does it mean?"

"That we need to make an appearance and get out of here so I can make love to you again." I wrap my arms around her waist, thankful that the wound in my side doesn't hurt anymore, then haul her to her toes and kiss her thoroughly. She presses her lush body against mine, curves her head back, opens her lips, and allows me to plunder her mouth. I widen my stance, balancing both of our weights as I bend her back.

I hear the sound of the door opening, but ignore it as I swipe my tongue across hers and drink from her. Goddamn, maybe we should have delayed coming, or not come at all. We could have stayed back, and I could have explored every inch of her delicious body all over again. I'll never have enough of her. Not ever.

Someone clears their throat.

"We do have bedrooms here, if you'd like me to show you one," JJ says in a mild tone.

She yelps and tries to pull away, but I continue kissing her for another second or more. By the time I release her, she's flushed, panting, and her eyes have that glazed look I love. She blinks up at me and I smirk.

She scowls back, then laughs, her features lighting up. Goddamn, she's the most beautiful woman in the entire world.

"You guys ready to come in?"

Olivia

"Surprise!"

I walk into JJ's living room and gasp when I see the assembled faces. I recognize Axel and his wife Theresa, who are near the window; Christian, who has his arms around his wife Aurora; Luca, who has Jeanne tucked into his side; Seb, who is on his knees talking to a little girl who looks just like her mother Elsa; and Michael, with Karma, who smiles and waves. The child holds a wriggling Andy in her arm. She bends and places the cat on the ground. He runs over to me and pauses, looking at me warily. I lower myself to a crouch and pet him. He instantly rubs his cheek against my hand and begins to purr. Seb and Elsa's little girl runs over to join me. She drops to her knees and begins to tickle Andy, who snorts. The cat actually huffs a snort.

The girl laughs and picks up the cat, who curls into her chest. She rises to her feet and looks at me with big blue eyes. She reminds me so much of Solene, my heart stutters.

Solene is going to be fine. She's in LA with Declan, who promised to help her find an agent. I trust Declan, and the man, clearly, has feelings for Solene, even though he hasn't come right out and told her. Last Solene told me, the two of them were sharing separate rooms at Declan's place. We'll see how long that's going to last. She's done the right thing, taking him up on his offer to help with her career. She's such a gifted singer. All she needs is the right agent, the right break, and she'll be famous. I know it. And the person best placed to help her is Declan.

I look up from where I'm crouched on the floor. "Hey, baby." I touch the little girl's cheek. "What's your name?"

She stares back at me.

"She's still shy with strangers." Elsa comes over to join us. "Say hello to Zia Olivia, Avery."

The girl blinks. "Hello," she says in a shy voice.

"Is this your cat?" I smile at her.

She shakes her head.

"Then whose is it?"

She turns and points at Karma, who walks over to us.

I stand up and heat envelops me, then Massimo's large hands land on my hips. "Who have we here?" His voice rumbles from somewhere up and behind me. My nerve endings instantly seem to fire all at once. I lean back and into him. Avery glances up at him and a smile lights up her face.

"Ma-i-mo," she warbles.

Massimo laughs. "How are you, Sprite?"

She flutters her eyelashes, and I can literally feel Massimo melting. He steps around and holds out his arms, and the girl leans into them. He plucks her and the cat from the floor.

"Well, she already has the men wrapped around her little finger." Karma laughs.

Massimo lowers his head until his mouth is close to my ear. "But you'll always be my favorite girl," he whispers, then kisses my cheek. When he straightens, I see the gleam in his eyes. "I'll go see my brothers." He smiles down at me, before moving away.

"These Sovrano men sure know how to make a woman feel special." Elsa laughs.

"They're hot, dominant, and possessive, but oh-so caring," Karma adds.

I shake my head, trying to get rid of the Massimo daze.

"I know how you feel, girl." Karma nudges me. "I'm still not over the effect Michael's presence has on me. All he has to do is look at me, and my ovaries flutter."

"Mommy," Avery calls out.

"Be right there, sweetie." Elsa looks from Avery to me, then smiles and says, "I'm sorry, motherhood calls. It's wonderful to be able to formally welcome you to the family." Elsa kisses me on both cheeks, then turns to head off after her daughter.

"All of you are being so nice to me." I turn to Karma. "I can't believe you flew out to London for this gathering."

"Michael insisted." Karma hooks her arm through mine. "When he found out what Alvaro had done, he was out of his mind with worry. He had planned to sell a few business assets to fund the money Alvaro had asked for to free you. Then Massimo called and told him you were fine. He mentioned how much JJ had helped them, and Michael decided to come to London to meet with JJ. Then, the rest of the Sovranos wanted to come to make sure the two of you were okay. So, we decided to make an extended family trip out of it."

A warm sensation envelops me. "Still, all of you turning up here?" I shake my head. "You guys are amazing, every single one of you."

"You're family," she says simply.

It's not like my own family doesn't love me, but after my father's death, it seemed like we lost the core of what held us together. My mother always sided with my brother, and while she surprised me on my wedding day with her candid talk, I'm not sure if she sees my alliance to the Sovranos as anything more than one which lends me legitimacy within our immediate community. And now that Solene has left for LA, these people here are my immediate support structure.

I wrap my arms around Karma and hug her. She pats my back. "We'll always be here for you, Olivia."

"Thanks." I swallow the ball of emotion which clogs my throat. When I finally step back, she peers into my face. "You okay?"

I sniffle, then nod. "I am now."

"Good. So, he made sure he has a matching scar, huh?" She touches her cheek.

I stare. "How do you?—?"

"It was the logical conclusion to draw, given the placement of the bandage, and somehow, I'm not surprised he did it."

"I'm surprised. I didn't expect him to do that. And—" My chin wobbles. "He didn't even flinch. He just took the knife and—" I shake my head. "He didn't have to do it, you know."

"Maybe he had to do it for himself? Maybe he had to do it for the both of you."

"It… completely floored me. Talk about romantic gestures. That's one I'll never forget for the rest of my life."

"It's a typical Sovrano gesture. When they find the woman of their dreams, they go all out. They won't stop until they've made you theirs completely."

I take her hand in mine. "Thanks, Karma, for everything. You've smoothed my transition into this family."

"You're welcome, you—" She flinches suddenly, then presses her other hand to her stomach.

"What happened?"

"Shh." She flicks a glance sideways to where Michael is deep in conversation with Massimo.

"Come this way." She grips my hand with hers and urges me to follow her to the far end of the spacious living room. She sinks down into a chair, and I sit down in the one next to her.

"You okay?"

"I will be. It's just, this pregnancy. It's causing me a lot of heartburn. Literally." She laughs halfheartedly.

"Do you need to see a doctor?" I frown.

She flicks another glance in the direction of Michael. "Oh, I've been seeing one. There's something I need to tell Michael. I've been working up toward it, is all."

"Nothing serious, I hope?"

She hesitates. "No, nothing serious."

"You sure?"

She glances away then back at me. "I'm sure."

"Karma." I lean closer. "If Michael is anything like Massimo, and I'm assuming he is, then I think he'll want you to share whatever it is that's worrying you "

She shakes her head, her features pinched. "It's really not that big of a deal."

I frown at her, not quite believing her. "Whatever it is, you need to tell him, Karma."

Her brow furrows. She bites down on her lower lip, then nods. "You're right, of course. I'm going to tell him... Very soon."

"Why not right now?"

"Not now. This is your event."

"Your health is more important." I'm about to stand up, but she grabs hold of my arm and tugs me back down. "I promise, I'll tell him. Besides—" She jerks her chin toward the doorway. "I believe there's some drama about to unfold."

"Drama?" I turn to follow the direction she's indicated, then pause when I notice the couple at the doorway. The man is in his early twenties. With dark hair and dark eyes, his build is lean, with broad shoulders. His features are striking. He wears a beard and mustache, and his hair is long enough to brush his shoulders. His jeans are frayed at the edges, his jacket worn out with wear. He also has a scowl on his face. The way he strides into the room reminds me of someone.

The woman is curvaceous, with big brown eyes, auburn hair, and an olive complexion that hints at her exotic heritage. Her eyebrows are furrowed, her gaze slightly angry.

JJ watches them with a narrowed gaze. His shoulders are bunched and strain the jacket he's wearing. The few times I've seen this man, he's always been impeccably dressed. He's an attractive man, with his thick, wavy hair graying at the temples, the lines that fan out from the corners of his eyes, and the bunched tendons at his throat, not to mention, he's every inch an alpha male. He's the same height as the man who stalks past the Sovranos and heads for the bar. Only where JJ has the kind of presence that commands a room and a physique that's as impressive as any of the Sovranos', the other man—who is definitely his son—has yet to fill out the promise of adulthood hinted at in the lines of his body.

The woman—who, I assume, is his son's girlfriend—joins the young man at the bar.

Conversations come to a halt. I glance around the room to find the rest of the Sovranos are watching the unfolding scene with interest. My gaze clashes with familiar gray eyes. I shiver. Massimo watches me from under hooded lids. His lips quirk, and a slow burn begins low in my belly. Will I ever be able to watch him without getting turned on? Probably not.

The muted voices of the arguing couple reach me. I turn to find the girl leaning toward the man. Her body language indicates she's half angry, half trying to appease him. She touches his hand, and he jerks it away. She says something, which only makes him glower. She seems to be cajoling him not to drink, which considering it's not yet noon, is a reasonable ask. The young man tosses his head. He replies in tones too low to hear, but judging by their exchange, which grows more heated by the moment, the two of them are in the midst of an argument.

"You seeing what I'm seeing?" Karma mutters.

"I assume that's JJ's son and his girlfriend?"

"You assume right."

"And they don't seem to be getting along all that well at the moment?" I hazard a guess.

"I'm guessing there's more to it than meets the eye."

She jerks her chin toward the other side of the room. I turn to find JJ with his arms crossed over his chest, his brow furrowed. His features have a look I can only describe as yearning. His gaze is fixed on someone. I follow his line of sight to where his son's girlfriend now has her fingers clasped together. She's biting her lips as if trying hard not to reply back to the other man.

"What's JJ's son's name?" I ask.

"I believe it's Isaac," Karma replies.

Isaac's lips move, he tosses back his drink, slaps his glass on the bar counter, then reaches for the bottle of whiskey again.

She grabs it from him. The two struggle for a few seconds. She manages to wrest it from him, and that's when his features contort. He raises his arm.

Silence descends. I sense Michael tense. Massimo moves forward, but it's JJ who dashes across the room in time to grab his son's arm before his palm can touch the girl.

Want to find out what happens next read JJ and Lena's story in Mafia Lust