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The room fell silent as everyone listened intently to Antonio's proposal. Guy, for his part, beamed with pride as he watched the mob boss enjoy the fruits of his vineyard.
Antonio swirled the wine in his glass, seemingly deep in thought. "I have a hand-picked crew, guys.” His eyes seemed lost in contemplation. "I have personally assembled a team of experts, gentlemen, who typically work for the high-stakes clientele at Del Mar during racing season. They are, undoubtedly, among the finest in the field. With the racing season at a standstill, they are available to assist Rosedale," he explained, his tone steady and self-assured.
Daniel's eyebrow arched, his curiosity piqued by Antonio's proposition. "These men, are they trustworthy with children? After all, we're family men."
A sly smile played across Antonio's lips, his gaze meeting Daniel's. "Indeed. To my knowledge, the majority have families of their own. I assure you they’re discreet and trustworthy professionals."
I edged nearer to Angelo, my legal counsel, to voice a question gnawing at the recesses of my mind. "Could this arrangement create complications with the state, given I'm expecting a visit from the Department of Human Services to check on Ava?"
"As long as Antonio Russo is involved," Angelo quipped, a smirk tugging at his lips. "No!"
Ryder interjected, "We are profoundly indebted to you, sir. How could we possibly repay you?"
Amy's father rose to his feet, his brow furrowing. "Please, refrain from insulting my brother! He is extending a helping hand because he values family above all else. We want you, your wives, and your children to put this legal debacle behind you and resume normal lives."
"Oh, no!" Ryder stammered. "I apologize. I never intended to be disrespectful. Please understand."
Antonio nodded, swallowing another taste of his wine. "I take no offense. However, I do acknowledge my brother's concern."
We exchanged apprehensive glances before I finally suggested, "Please introduce us to your crew. We are immensely grateful for your aid. When can we expect their arrival?"
"They should be here soon" Antonio stood, emptying the final droplet of wine. "Now, Guy, would you be so kind as to show me around your estate? I'd like to survey your vineyard. We're in search of a fresh wine supplier for my casino establishments."
We heard a distant commotion as we returned to the main house after we toured the vineyard. The sound grew louder and more distinct. Then, turning the corner, we were met with a heartwarming scene: the wives and children had arrived. Laughter and squeals of delight filled the air, and the atmosphere was charged with joy and relief. There were embraces, tears streaming down our faces as some held each other tightly, the weight of our past struggles seemingly melting away in the warmth of our reunion.
I located Amy as she ran toward me, holding little Ava. "Can we really go home?" Amy asked breathlessly.
"Yes, thanks to your father... and your uncle."
"Now, if you wait right here, I have a question to ask your father."
"What question?" Amy asked, grabbing my arm.
"His permission to marry his daughter! If that's alright with you," I asked, locking a loose tendril behind her ear.
"Oh, God, yes, yes, Mitch!" Amy hopped up and down and motioned for her family, calling, "Papa, Uncle Antonio… come here!"
ChapterEighteen
Amy
A Week Later
Excitement bubbled insideme as I hastily gathered my damp hair into a messy bun while sitting at my new vanity. Today would be a day to remember as my parents had planned an engagement party for Mitch and me at the charming Bella Vita. The venue held a special place in our family's history since my mom had discovered that the restaurant's owners were her distant cousins while planning my graduation celebration there.
With her signature charm and persistence, my mother managed to convince them to close the restaurant to the public for the day, ensuring our celebration would be a private affair, free from any unexpected surprises. The anticipation of our engagement party at the intimate Bella Vita, surrounded by the warmth and love of family and friends, filled my heart with joy as I dabbed moisturizer onto my face, preparing for the unforgettable moments that lay ahead.
Glancing at the baby monitor, I noticed Ava was still taking her morning nap and went off in search of Mitch. I descended the bungalow's creaky wooden steps into the dimly lit basement, drawn by the faint shuffling sound. The air was musty, and I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering slightly. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I spotted Mitch standing by an old, worn dresser. He was bent over, peering into one of the open drawers with a furrowed brow.
I crept closer, curious about what had captured his attention. My foot caught on a loose floorboard as I approached, and the resulting creak echoed through the basement. Mitch jumped, startled by the noise, and in his haste to turn around, he dropped something on the floor.
I watched as he quickly scooped up the object, but not before I caught a glimpse of the shimmering diamond ring that had clattered to the floor. My heart skipped a beat, and I blurted out, "What are you doing, Mitch?"
He appeared embarrassed and flushed, looking at me sheepishly. "I didn't intend for you to discover it like this," he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just got this ring back from the jewelers. You weren't supposed to see it yet. I was planning to propose to you for real at the party in front of our friends and your family." He gestured towards the ring, a nervous smile playing on his lips. "It's an heirloom diamond that's been passed down for years on my mother's side of the family. My great-grandmother was Sicilian."
As he spoke, I couldn't help but feel a warm glow spread through me. The thought of Mitch going to such lengths to surprise me was incredibly touching. Still, I couldn't resist teasing him a little. "So, you planned to surprise me at the party this afternoon with this very special ring?"
"I knew you'd be expecting the wedding set we looked out the other day."
