"What are we celebrating?" I asked coyly.
"Life. Family. Love." The words seemed so haunted. As we clinked rims, he eased onto the couch, taking a gulp. "You mean everything to me, Sierra. When I thought I lost you, I almost went mad. I knew that I couldn't spend another moment without having you in my life."
"I'm in your life."
"Not the way I want." He slid his glass onto the table before locking eyes with mine.
For all the romantic comedies that he evidently watched, various proposals in vivid imagery, there was nothing that had taken my breath away so quickly.
"I may not be a perfect man, but I am a man who adores you and promise to spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy."
My lower lip quivered as he pulled a beautiful red velvet box from his pocket. I heard the creak of the lid as he opened it, mixing with the hard beating of my heart as he said the very special words, ones I'd always longed to hear.
"Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
In that sweet and amazing moment, something happened. I froze, unable to think or speak because I had no idea what to say.
In that same moment, I saw the beautiful window of his soul closing, perhaps forever.
All because of my fear. I'd taken a drive, going to visit Stefan in the hospital before I was able to drive back home. The house seemed cold when I walked in. There was no sound, no lights on anywhere. I could swear Sierra had left. While I'd be devastated, there was no way I could be angry. She deserved to have a wonderful life.
I dropped my keys on the hall table, struggling to walk any further into my own damn house. My frigid, boring, unlived-in house. There was no love without Sierra. There was no light without Sierra. I hissed as I walked toward my office, noticing the open door and froze. She'd seen the papers I'd signed. She knew. Another secret I'd kept from her.
Goddamn it.
Then the scent of vanilla and cinnamon caught my attention. It was coming from the kitchen. What the hell? As I walked closer, additional scents filled my nostrils, making my mouth water. Garlic. Tomatoes. Onions. Fresh bread.
I was taking slow steps as I walked closer. Then I heard music, but also something else. The sound of Sierra's voice. She was singing. I remained in the shadows for several seconds, enjoying the beautiful performance. Then I couldn't stand the wait any longer.
I walked into what had been my kitchen. There were the same stainless-steel appliances, the same windows and lights, but everything else I could swear had changed. There was life in the room. Flowers. Candles. Festive towels. Pots on every surface. An open bottle of cabernet.
And there was the beautiful woman who took my breath away.
When she heard me she stopped, placing her hand on her hips as she gazed up and down. "You're late."
"A man's prerogative. Besides, I'm in charge. Remember?" I walked closer, eyeing the bubbling sauce on the stove.
"Not in this kitchen. This is my domain." She had a stern look as she sashayed closer. When a smile crossed her face, I was blown away. "You didn't think I could cook. Did you?"
"I honestly wasn't certain you'd want to."
"Why don't you pour some wine?" She turned back toward the oven, grabbing a wooden spoon.
"You were in my office."
She exhaled, barely tipping her head. "Yes and no."
"Well, which is it?"
"Yes, I was in our office and snooped and no, that's not why I'm still here."
"Then why are you here?" I half whispered.
She turned to face me, her eyes lighting up. "Because I realized that I couldn't live without you."
"Are you certain?"
"With all my heart. Somehow, you became my knight in shining armor."
It was as if all time stopped, my heart suddenly bursting with joy.
My father also told me only once that he would be nothing without my mother. Even through the tragedy with my sister, his inability to open up emotionally, I believed him. That had been the single time I'd really seen the love in his eyes. For the first time, I truly understood. As I gathered Sierra into my arms, I knew that life had taken an entirely different turn.
Perhaps I'd found that salvation I was so desperately seeking.
* * *
I wasn't nervous, although perhaps I should have been, but I was doing the right thing. As Sierra slipped her hand into mine, we were able to take the last steps toward the administration desk. She'd been with me that last two days, sharing in my life and my love in every way. There were no secrets between us. None.
And there never would be again.
"Yes?" the woman asked.
"I'm Lorenzo Francesco, here to check in."
She said nothing as she typed into the computer, finally offering a smile. "Yes, you need to go to the third floor and they'll direct you as to what you need to do."
"Thank you."
"But given the type of surgery, only family is allowed," the woman said, directing her comment toward Sierra.
The woman's smile became brighter. "Then go right ahead."
We remained quiet as we took the elevator, but the warmth of Sierra's hand was more than just comforting. When the doors opened, I was shocked to see my father and mother, along with Armando standing in the waiting room. And there was an unexpected visitor. How he'd managed to slip in I would never know. Then again, he was a mafia kingpin.
"Dominick. What are you doing here?" I asked, extending my hand.
"Eh. I thought you might need a hand while you recover," Dominick said, grinning like a little kid.
"Only if you don't fuck up my turf."
He threw up his hands, laughing. "Not a chance. After all, we are friends."
Friends indeed.
"Are you ready, son?" my mother asked.
"As I'll ever be," I answered, noticing the doctor walking in our direction.
"We're so proud of you," she said, gushing as she kissed me on the cheek. When she whispered into my ear, several tears fell. "Your sister would be proud of you as well."
I blinked several times, taking a deep breath and kissing my mother on the cheek. Sierra squeezed my hand, tugging on my arm until I bent over for her to whisper the only words I needed to hear.
"I. Love. You."
And I'd never felt so much love in my life. As the doctor closed the distance, he smiled, acknowledging all of us.
"You're right on time, Mr. Francesco. I ran a second set of tests just to make certain and you are a ninety-nine-point-nine percent match to donate a kidney to your brother. If things go well, you'll be up and around in a couple days. Stefan is very excited to go home. He's been asking for you."
"And Stefan's recovery chances?" I asked, holding my breath.
"I don't see any issue with his complete recovery. Your brother is a lucky man, Mr. Francesco. Let's get you prepped for surgery."
I knew that I was the lucky man, perhaps the luckiest in the world. I had the love of an amazing woman, a family that I respected and loved deeply, and an alliance with a group of brutal yet deeply loyal men who would watch my back.
What else did I need?
There would always be danger in my life, a need to bring out the ruthless man I'd become, but I could also embrace the other side.
The one filled with hope for the future.
And God help anyone who dared to try to destroy my family again.
The End of this series. Hope you've enjoyed it. Do read my other books as well. I love you all.