Epilogue

Looking at Marc, he smirks at me with a playful glint hiding in his eyes. The knowledge of us killing those predators tonight is enough to awaken that familiar side of me, the proud side that is still as perfectly twisted as ever.

We have multiple members with us here, I turn to them and hide my emotions, "As boss said, these guys kidnapped and molested multiple children. I don't simply want them dead, they need to suffer. Do you understand?"

All of them nod and Xavier steps out of a black car in the distance, his powerful strides catch everyone's attention and I smirk at him. My fucking husband is one delicious piece of fine beast. I'm so impressed we carried through with everything and now he's officially Mr. Martinelli.

We married one year after moving into the palace. Xavier truly surprised me when he suggested that we take the Martinelli name, to honor my brother and my mother. He wanted to create new memories around that name. I cried too much that night, it was quite pathetic.

"Mrs. Martinelli," He respectfully addresses with a smirk only reserved for me, before hiding it and turning to the trusted men behind us. "I'm certain Martinelli told you everything you needed to know."

"She did," Marc speaks, and together all of us barge into the warehouse.

We spot them immediately, sitting in the dimly lit room playing poker over a circular table. I count 16 men right as one of them spot us, alerting the others who pull their weapons. I grab a knife from my holster, aiming, throwing, and hitting one of them right in the eye. He falls onto the floor and all hell breaks loose.

The mafia carries their end and the predators' torturous screams bounce off the walls, my heart feeling at ease with them never being able to touch anyone else. They won't ever destroy anyone else. They won't ever be the reason for anyone else shedding tears or blood because of them.

A man coming up from behind grabs my wrist, I pull it to myself instantly and face him, "Ew, don't fucking touch me with your disgusting predator hands."

He smirks and inches closer, "I know I'm attractive, sweetheart. Don't even try to deny it."

A scoff leaves my lips when I fiercely stab a knife into his gut, he grunts and falls to the floor, "Yeah, well, boxes of shit can be nicely wrapped as well."

My foot kicks his head in a severe manner and he flies away from me, certainly knocked unconscious.

Xavier's eyes meet mine from across the room, right as he stabs a knife into a predator's neck. He smiles beautifully at me and winks playfully, a gust of love hits my gut and I smirk at him. Both of us are so fucked up in the head. I love being here and being twisted with him.

He makes me feel sane.

The fight continues and we slaughter all of them, torturing them until their bodies give up on the life they were wrongfully given. None of them deserve to roam the streets, none of them deserve the chance to breathe.

I walk up to my husband and hook my hand around his strong bicep, "Are we done for the night?"

He smiles down at me, "Yes. I just ordered the Smiths down here to clean, we need to burn the evidence as usual. But you and I are free for now."

We step into the cold air again, trailing down the path to the car where he opens the door for me and I sit down. Grabbing some wet wipes from the glove compartment, I remove the blood from my skin. Offering Xavier some as well when he sits down.

The silence between us is loaded with so much love and adoration, I simply enjoy being here with him. "You think Rocco kept the girls awake?" I ask him.

"He's an ass, so yes," Xavier chuckles.

Rocco is our official-unofficial babysitter for our twins. I gave birth to Livia and Vanni three years ago, the birth was probably the most pain I've ever had to endure, and I've been tortured to the brink of dying.

Livia is a true copy of the brooding side of Xavier, her personality is a bit standoffish towards strangers, but she loves with her entire heart. She's named after Xavier's deceased grandmother, Nonna Olivia. Vanni is the extroverted twin, such a talkative and empathetic girl. She is named after my little brother, Giovanni. It meant the world for Xavier and me, to connect the love we held for our families then, to the love we now hold for our family.

Both of them have my emerald eyes, with wild and dark curls they're completely identical which has given me more than one headache; and I'm their mother.

We finally reach home and walk into the palace, taking the elevator up to our floor I can literally hear my girls squeal with laughter. Xavier smiles at the sound and I lean into his familiar frame, hugging him to me.

The door opens and I instantly spot Livia and Vanni, they scream upon seeing us and run in our direction. Hugging us to their smaller frames.

"Mamma!" Vanni squeals in laughter. "Uncle Rocco tickles Livia and tried to tickle me!"

Livia nods, a little bit more introverted than her twin, "He made me laugh, papà."

"It's past your bedtime, girls. Did you know that?" I tell them and sit down by the kitchen island, pulling both of them onto my thighs.

"Shhh, mamma!" Vanni says, smiling a toothy grin at me. "Rocco says we need to keep it a secret, but he gave us the candies on top of the fridge."

"Hey!" Rocco tries, turning to Xavier with a sheepish smile. "Okay, they had one bar of chocolate each-"

"We had five each," Livia states in a soft tone.

"Liv!" He squeals, Xavier laughs at our daughter's honest nature. "Girls, if you tell your parents this I won't be allowed to babysit anymore."

"You're an ass, Rocco," Xavier speaks and Rocco immediately starts apologizing.

I know Xavier is only messing with our friend, but Rocco can't seem to read him and I've had my fun with that fact on more than one occasion. Rocco is such a scaredy-cat, he's still running his club, but he wants to be here and with the girls. I love him for being here for us.

The elevator doors open and Marc steps out, walking up to Rocco he kisses him softly and smiles at him. Rocco and Marc found each other a while ago and recently announced their relationship, although it has been obvious for years now. Rocco started experimenting with guys and Marc has always been a man to fall in love with whoever he falls in love with. I was both surprised and ecstatic for them.

"Hi, baby," Rocco speaks to his boyfriend.

"Hey," Marc says with love in his voice, kissing him again.

"Ew, mamma!" Vanni exclaims. "Coochies!"

Rocco smiles sweetly at her, "No, Vanni. We aren't into coochi-"

"She meant cooties!" Xavier cuts him off darkly.

Marc bursts with laughter and I chuckle along, tightening my grip on the twins. They're so perfectly and lovingly innocent, I can't deal with how much I love my family. The emotions are so intense it often seems completely unreal to me.

"Hey, guys!" An awfully familiar voice speaks from the hallway.

Vanni and Livia run in his direction, throwing themselves into Santi's arms when he kneels to greet them. He has grown up too fast, 15 years old, and traveling Europe to compete in archery. He's so incredibly talented, and I cannot for the life of me believe that this teenager is the same kid I met in the mansion all those years ago.

"You're in town?" Xavier says in shock, we haven't seen Santi and Oriana in months.

Santi nods enthusiastically, "Yes, Uncle Xavi. Are you up for a play of archery tomorrow?"

Xavier smirks, this is a constant challenge between the two of them, "You're so on, you little shit."

"We thought it would appropriate for Eloisa's birthday," Oriana says and steps into the kitchen with a smile.

I step up to her and hug her frame to me, "It's been too fucking long."

She chuckles and nods, "It really has, Eloi. Is Xavi being good to you?"

"He is," I smile, the weight of our wedding band and the engagement ring making me aware of my happiness. "If you need to beat anyone up it has to be Rocco. He's an ass, as Xavier would say."

She removes herself from me and steps up to Rocco, the death stare in her eyes humors me as I turn my back to them. Staring at the teenager in front of me, he's taller than me and his features have changed drastically. His black hair is longer than it used to be, he smiles when he sees me looking.

"You need to come home more often, Santi," I tell him and he pulls me into a hug.

He chuckles, tightening his grip on me, "Well the next few competitions will be in the States, so I promise to be here more. Mi mancate ragazzi." (I miss you guys).

"We miss you, too," I say honestly and Livia tugs on his shirt.

He picks her up and tickles her stomach, her giggles booming around the kitchen. Livia is extremely aware of the people she loves, which is why she and Santi found each other and she fucking adores him. It warms my heart to see my nephew and my daughter working so well together.

I smile at the sight and walk up to my husband, his eyes are filled with love for our family and I hug him from the side, placing my head onto his bulgy chest. Their laughter carries through the room and I sigh, feeling the threat of tears behind my eyes.

Shit.

I look towards Rocco who's standing right next to me, he laughs at the sight of my teary eyes, "You being a mamma is getting you emotional."

I don't appreciate him calling me out, but he's right.

"I'll punch myself before I cry," I say with conviction. "Give me something to cry about."

Rocco laughs at my comment, rolling his eyes, "You're insane, Martinelli."

I unwrap my thigh holster and throw the weapons on top of the counter, out of reach for the girls, I raise an eyebrow at him in a clear challenge.

"Yeah? You wanna repeat that?" The dare in my voice is heavy, but the smile on my lips contradicts the threatening nature of my words.

"Nope," He says quickly and raises his hands in surrender.

I cuddle up to Xavier again and he kisses my temple, momentarily squeezing my body to his strong frame. I look at the teenage version of Santi in front of us, he's running his hands through Livia's wild curls.

"How was Europe?" I ask him when his eyes meet mine.

He nods his head with a smile, "It was beautiful. We had three days in Italy to explore, now I understand why the two of you are so fucking tan."

"Language," Xavier grumbles, still not used to Santi being a teenager with a colorful choice of words.

Santi just laughs off his comment, knowing how much Xavier hates him growing up. Whether that entails hearing the old classic 'WAP' song or Santi cursing.

"You know, your own mother is Italian as well," I say with humor in my voice. "You have that 'tan' gene, too."

He dismissively waves me off with a smile before crouching down next to the girls. His eyes are scanning their excited faces, "You two need to stop growing, I can't follow along anymore."

Xavier scoffs with a smile, "You shouldn't speak, Santi. It feels like yesterday when you ran around in the old mansion, screaming that Eloisa loved only you because she allowed you to steal her food."

"I never allowed anything by the way," I chime in.

Marc laughs at this, "No, but I stole some as well when you weren't looking."

"Nice to know," I nod my head with a smile and chuckle.

The chatter and laughter grow inside the warm room and I smile at my family, all of them are here today and it warms my heart. It's a rare occasion, which is why I find myself enjoying every last bit of it tonight. These people are my reason for being alive. They are the reason behind me fighting to keep my mind sane, they stopped me from drowning in my demons.

Xavier looks down at me and tightens his hold around my waist, the easy smile playing on his lips has me grinning up at him, "Ti amo, Eloisa."

Kissing his cheek softly, I pull away and stare into my husband's lovingly dark eyes with adoration in my own, "I love you, Xavier."

There was a point in my life where all I had to live for was revenge. The type of fiery revenge that swallowed everything, the revenge that ate me up until I couldn't even recognize myself. I was convinced I'd die or kill myself after completing my plot for revenge.

And then I stumbled upon an intolerable man in a grimy hotel room.

The very same man who called me a whore.

The same man I'm now married to.

The man who is the father of our twins.

The man who gave me a family.

That man gave me something to live for.

He gave me another chance to love and to belong.

The end.