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18
CONSTANTINE
The next weekend
"You may kiss your spouse."
Arlo and I lean forward in our seats. It's the second big day. The day my cousin Michael and his partner tie the knot in the Hamptons.
My heart swells as I look at my beautiful boy to my right. Arlo wears a tuxedo with a green bowtie. His blue eyes are wide as he watches the ceremony, and his cheeks are rosy and pink. Sunlight tinges his skin, and I can't help but smile as I tuck a strand of hair over his ear.
I hand him his pill. "Here you go, boy."
Arlo beams as he slides it into his palm. "Thank you, Daddy."
Michael's partner smiles at the altar. "I love you, Michael. This is the best day of my life."
Michael and his partner kiss. Everyone applauds as Michael places the ring on his partner's finger, securing it tightly, before wrapping his arms around him.
"You've made me the happiest man in the world." He nuzzles his partner's nose. "I can't wait to spend every day of the rest of my life with you."
Arlo has tears in his eyes as he turns to me. "This is so beautiful, Daddy. I love this ceremony."
I slink my arm around Arlo's waist. "That's sweet, boy. Michael's wedding was a long time in the making, but I'm glad they tied the knot."
I stare into Arlo's blue eyes. Emotion brims within me as I think about the past week. It's crazy that five entire days have passed since we visited my brother's office.
Arlo was such a little trooper when he received his examination. He braved the needles, the probing questions, and the exam Gianluca put him through. As he let me know in the limousine, he was nervous before entering the examination room, but he stood strong. He didn't shed a single tear, and I was so proud of him.
When Dr. Trina came in, Arlo listened to everything she said. He asked the right questions about if his medication was safe or not, and Dr. Trina assuaged his fears. Arlo left my brother's office full of confidence.
"I'm glad my medication is safe, Daddy. I'm also grateful Dr. Trina recommended a therapist for my health anxiety."
I intended to enroll Arlo in therapy when we settled into our relationship. But Dr. Trina beat me to the punch, recommending the best therapist for Arlo in New York City. He's a clinical psychologist who specializes in acute anxiety disorders and hypochondria, and he had room to treat Arlo. Immediately, I scheduled Arlo's first appointment. I can't wait to see my cutie patootie get well.
After we returned from Gianluca's office, Arlo dove under the pillow fort with me. He was adamant that we stay there all afternoon, and he didn't let me leave once. I tried getting out for a wine break, but Arlo was too worried I'd disappear. He called Natalija and asked her to bring us a bottle so we could stay there all night.
It was the cutest. Never in my life have I stayed in a pillow fort as long as that day. The boys in the Little Bunny Club wouldn't have tolerated it, and I wouldn't have wanted to with them. With Arlo, I feel like I could cuddle until the world ends and not grow a day older. Every passing minute felt like a lifetime, and I wanted to keep him in my arms forever.
My lips part as I dust Arlo's cheeks with a kiss. "I'm glad we scheduled your pH monitoring exam fornextweekend, boy. There's too much yummy food to eat today."
Arlo lets out a laugh and blushes. "I know, Daddy. I can smell the garlic bread from here. It'll be amazing."
I stare into Arlo's eyes. "Thank you for coming to my cousin's wedding. I'm excited to introduce you to my clan."
This is something Arlo and I discussed on the drive over. Today's the day my family decides whether Arlo is a good fit for me. If they think he's Carlos the Second, I'll have no choice but to make a tough decision. If they love Arlo, I'll make him my boy. The stakes couldn't be higher.
Although truth be told… I'm not worried. Arlo and I get along so well, and our bond is stronger than mine ever was with Carlos. I'm convinced my family will love him.
Arlo grins. "I love being here, Daddy. I've never been to a real wedding before." He turns his eyes up to me. "Certainly not aMafiawedding. This blows every wedding I've seen in movies out of the water."
I shake my head and fight the urge to laugh. Maybe it was a mistake to confide in Arlo about my family so early.
Over the last five days, he hasn't quit teasing me about my criminal lifestyle or asking silly questions. If we weren't so smitten with each other, I'd think he was wearing a wire.
"No bringing up the Mafia today, boy." I let out a growl as I pull Arlo close to me. "My brothers don't know I let you in on our little secret. They'll be livid if they find out."
Okay, fine. This isn't true, either. Gianluca already knows about Arlo from that first night in the Little Bunny Club, and both he and Benedetto know I moved him into my penthouse. They won't chop off my head. But they don't like sharing secret information with people outside of the family who haven't undergone our initiation ritual. I must convince them that Arlo will fit in with our circle of trust.
