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“I was freaking out in the cloakroom.” Sefi’s voice trembles. “All I could hear was the sound of gunfire.” She shivers. “I didn’t know if Alessio was okay. I tried to open the door, but he’d locked me inside.”
“For your own safety, bambina,” he mutters. “God knows what would have happened if Luigi hadn’t arrived when he did.”
Tears run down Sefi’s face. “I’ve never been more relieved in my life than when Alessio came through the door.” She stutters out a breath. “I’m so sorry the security guard was killed, but I’m glad Framassi is dead.”
“So am I, tesoro.” I kiss away her tears. “So am I.”
“You did good, amore.” I pull Alessio in for a kiss. “You were incredibly brave. I’m proud of you and I love you so fucking much.”
I lean toward Sefi, hold her in my loving gaze. “Tell us you’ll stay in Italy, please, tesoro. You’re safe now and so is Alessio…”
She presses her lovely lips together. A smile lights her beautiful blue eyes. “There is nothing I’d like better than to live and work in Venice. With the two men I love most in the world. But…”
“The city is full of museums and art galleries, bambina. I’m sure you’ll find a job and have an amazing career.” Alessio catches my eye.
“Didn’t the director of the Guberman say he’d give you a glowing reference?” I add. “You’ll be inundated with offers.”
“I suppose I could cancel my flight tomorrow.” She smirks. “Camila is gonna kill me…”
Alessio lets out a whoop and I echo him. Then I hold him and Sefi close. “Are you both okay? I mean, you’ve been through a lot this morning…”
“It will take a while to sink in.” Alessio expels a long, slow breath. “But I’m good.”
“Me too,” Sefi sighs. “I was dreading leaving for the States tomorrow, to be honest.”
“So, you’ll stay?” I need to be sure.
“If you’ll have me…”
“Oh, we’ll have you,” Alessio deadpans.
“My filthy Italians.” She looks us in the eye. “I love you both so much.”Chapter Thirty-NineSefiI stare at my reflection in the mirror as I put the finishing touches to my make-up. It’s early June and more than a year has gone by since I changed my mind about returning to the States, and today I’m making my vows to Marco and Alessio and they to me in front of our friends and families. Kind of like a marriage, except I’m not wearing a bridal gown and our ‘wedding’ needs to be unofficial.
Camila is helping me get ready. “You’re so beautiful, lil’ sis.” She looks me up and down. “That dress really suits you.”
I thank her for the compliment and run my hands down the smooth green silk. The V-shaped neckline is cut low between my breasts; the bodice and skirt hug my body. Sis helped me pick out the gown in the Valentino Boutique, and I love it.
“No regrets?” she tilts her head toward me.
I give her a reassuring smile. “None whatsoever.”
The past year has been amazing. Marco and Alessio complete me in so many ways. How they laugh when I call them my filthies, but I do so with such love in my heart I could explode with it. I remember telling them I thought love was infinite, and now I truly believe it.
A week after I moved back into the apartment with them, I went for an interview to manage the new gallery being opened by Stefano Visentin, our host at the masquerade ball. He offered me the job and it’s been the most rewarding experience of my life thus far. Stefano and his wife, Caterina, buy and sell modern art from all over the world. I’ve even travelled with them on buying trips, helping them select new works for the store. The dark shadow of the Mafia no longer haunts me, thanks to Alessio.
He’s worked his ass off this past year uncovering the whereabouts of as many members of the Syndicate as possible and dismantling the organization. It’s an ongoing process and will keep him busy for the foreseeable future. I’m only relieved that the Carabinieri, Italy’s military police, carry out the arrests these days… otherwise Marco and I would freak every time Alessio stepped outside the door.
I still have flashbacks about the kidnapping and the events at the villa, but I know I am safe. Framassi’s obsession with me was entirely personal… we’ve since found out that I’m the image of his first wife, who died of cancer soon after they were married. He’d confided in his consigliere, who has subsequently been arrested, that when he saw me shackled in that cellar, he wanted me for himself. Framassi must have lost his mind to have risked coming for me in person. I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about it.
As for Marco, he spends a couple of hours a day supporting his mom while his dad recovers. Happily, Francesco’s condition has improved a lot. He can string a whole sentence together and is able to take a few steps with the aid of a walker. Viviana and Francesco will be at the ceremony later, the first time Francesco will be seen in public since he suffered that stroke.
