Page 30 of The Mobster’s Prize

“You’re talking to me, Dag. Luigi Santone’s kid. I can certainly look past whatever is headed my way. Besides, I doubt they’re as bad as you paint them out to be.”

One thing I know is that they care about him. He may see them as being annoying, but it’s only because they worry about him.

I envy him that.

My dad didn’t care that I had been taken. In fact, he told Mr. Moretti that he could keep me in exchange for the money. That was my father’s final chance to make things right, but he didn’t. Now, I’m sure he’s regretting his choice, but it’s too late. His cars are gone. Every last one of them was taken. The most expensive one is parked out in the locked shed, ready to go to auction. Dag says it’s worth at least seventeen million dollars, which is absolute insanity.

I’m going to have the most amazing bakery in all of California. And the rest of the money I’ll be donating to charity to help get people off the streets and clean from their drug addictions.

“You’ll see for yourself.” He shakes his head. “But can you just promise me one thing? If it’s too much, or if you don’t feel comfortable, can you give me a signal, so I can get them to leave? I don’t want you miserable in your own house.”

“You are a very good man, Dag. But I’m a big girl and can handle this.”

He squeezes me tighter, still doubting the fact. He really is nervous. But I’m the one who should be worried. What if they don’t like me? I’m meeting the woman who could be my mother-in-law one day. She may have pictured someone completely different for her son.

“Hello!” The door opens and we both freeze. “Dagastino, we’re here!”

Shoot. They’re early. The kitchen is still a mess. I’m a mess. Nothing is ready yet. They weren’t supposed to be here for another hour.

“Just say ‘I fold’ if you want them gone,” he whispers, giving me a quick kiss before he turns. “Ma.” He starts to walk to her for a hug, but she walks right past him and straight to me.

“Oh, look at you. You are breathtaking. I have waited so long for this.” She pulls me in for a hug, almost knocking me over. She looks just like the pictures. Dark hair. Big smile. Just like an old Italian grandmother. “I’ve been waiting for him to meet a nice girl. Thank you for making my son so happy. He was such a grouch before meeting you.” She pulls back and gives me another once-over. “You two are going to make the most beautiful babies.”

“Ma!” Dag pulls her away from me, tucking her in for a hug. I can understand what he means about her being unfiltered.

“What? It’s true. She’s gorgeous.”

“She hasn’t even said yes yet. Can you cool it?”

My stomach bursts into a flutter of giddiness. That sounded like he intends to propose—sometime soon. I figured as a man he would drag his feet, but maybe he’s ready.

“Ma, don’t hog her.” One of his sisters steps up. And then I’m swarmed by all of them, giving me hugs, talking faster than I can keep up. They are so full of energy, and so warm and welcoming. I don’t know what Dag was talking about. I love them. Loud? Yes. But kind and amusing? Double yes.

“Okay, you four. Give her some space before you scare her off.”

I shake my head at him. If anything, his family has just solidified my feelings even more. I want to be a part of his family. I would love to have a mother like Gloria looking out for me, wanting to bake with me and go shopping together. And having sisters to go on girl trips with and ask for pregnancy advice from would be amazing.

“You’ve had her all to yourself these last few months.” His mother points him with a stare. “You go shoo so we can spend time with her now.” She turns to me. “How can we help, my dear? We wanted to come early, so you didn’t have to do all the cooking by yourself.”

I almost burst into tears. They are everything I hoped they would be. More so.

We finish cooking the food. They gab my ear off over dinner. Then they insist on doing the cleanup while I take a seat and rest my feet. Oh, and they absolutely loved my cupcakes.

“Are you doing okay, baby?”

Dag pulls me onto his lap, giving me a kiss.

“I love them,” I whisper in his ear. “I’m having so much fun.”

“Aww. Look at you two,” his oldest sister, Gianna, coos.

She’s just like their mother, a true caretaker. They all are like their mom. Even Dag. I can see it in the way he looks out for me. Always worried about me, always ensuring that I’m feeling okay. He dotes on me from morning to night. Just like their mother does with them.

“We should leave you two and be on our way,” Gianna says.

Dag nods his head, but I don’t want them to leave yet.

“Won’t you all stay longer?” I ask.