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Epilogue
Vito
The DeLuca Name
Six Months Later
We had overcome a lot. Nicole got away from her abuser. She gained her independence back. She could now go out on her own and not worry about her safety. However, she lost her mother a few months ago. Thankfully, the doctor’s prognosis wasn’t right, and she lived three more months than expected. That gave Nicole time to reconnect with her, and they spent every moment possible together.
Her father didn’t welcome Nicole back into his home until after her mother’s death. Losing her mother brought her closer to her father, but I kept a close eye on him. I still didn’t trust him, not after discovering how he abandoned her while she suffered from Desi’s abuse. Nicole had a forgiving heart and tried bringing me over to her way of thinking. I was still working on that.
Nicole gained a new family as a DeLuca. She was carrying my child, she was my wife, and we were happy as hell.
We had gone to the courthouse with only a few of my family, friends and her father to witness our ceremony. Enzo had come. Ishmael, Miracle, Grandma, Prosper, Casper, and Teddy had come. My mother had sent her best wishes. Nicole didn’t want a big wedding. She only wanted something small and intimate, something official. I would surprise her with a full wedding later. For now, I was satisfied with her wearing my rock on her finger and being officially mine.
I pulled up to my brand newly constructed shopping center. The day had come when a little bit more of Don Ermanno’s dream had been realized.
Nicole and I sat in my car, staring up at the evidence of it. “It’s beautiful, Vito,” she beamed.
I raised her hand to my lips and kissed it. “It’s all for our children to come.”
She smiled and dropped a hand down to her stomach. “I know, and your grandfather would be so proud.”
My chest swelled with pride and a twinge of pain that Don Ermano couldn’t witness this monumental event. As if on cue, my phone rang. It was Enzo.
“Hello?”
“Hey, little cousin.”
“Hi, Enzo. It’s time for you to drop the little part when you mention me. I might be bigger and taller than you are now. I’ve been putting in some major workouts lately.” My eyes went to Nicole's pretty brown ones, then dropped down to her protruding belly.
I bit down on my lip with pride. I had been working her out too, and I planned to do that many more times. She narrowed her eyes, daring me to talk about our sexual activities on the phone with my cousin.
Unaware of our inside joke, Enzo chuckled. “You’re still my little cousin. I don’t care how big you get.”
“True. How’s everything going back home, big cuzzo?”
“All is well. I have everything under control. I called to give you my congratulations. I know this is a big day for you, and I want you to know that you have my blessings.”
“That means a lot.”
His voice sounded strained when he admitted, “The old guy would be proud.”
“He’s proud of us both,” I assure him. “I’m not sure if anyone has told you lately, but you’re running the hell out of the family business—above and below the board.”
He kissed his teeth. “I’m a real boss, little cousin.”
“Conceited ass.” I laughed. “But on a serious note, you make me proud to be a DeLuca. Knowing who was behind our beloved grandfather’s death and handling it the way you did let me know the family’s legacy is in good hands. Stay strong and keep leading strong, big cousin.” It was a shocker when I discovered the real person behind the Don’s murder. It let me know that some people closest to you can’t be trusted.
“I’m going to keep going until I make these motherfuckers—”
“…remember who we are,” I finished.
“You better believe it,” Enzo roared.
“Talk to you later, Enzo. Stay up.”
“You too.”
