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“Thank you, Signora Romano, but I must remain vigilant,” he replied, his voice steady but not without reluctance.
“Very well,” I conceded once more, knowing that Riccardo’s loyalty and dedication to his duties were unshakeable. But as the night wore on and we enjoyed our meal together, I watched the quiet dance between them, their eyes meeting briefly before darting away, cheeks flushed with color.
Though power and control were woven into the fabric of our world, I couldn’t deny that there was something thrilling about witnessing a spark of attraction taking hold, even in the face of danger and uncertainty.
And as Sophia’s laughter began to fill the room, mixing with the clink of silverware and the murmur of conversation, I found myself wondering if love could be the most powerful force of all.
“Speaking of Christmas,” I said, steering the conversation toward the upcoming holidays. “I was thinking about going out shopping in person sometime soon. Do you think that could be arranged, Nicholas?”
My husband considered the request for a moment, his eyes thoughtful as he weighed the potential risks and logistics in his mind. “I’ll do my best to make sure it’s possible,” he replied, his voice measured yet reassuring.
“Thank you,” I said, genuinely grateful for his support in even such seemingly trivial matters. The prospect of spending time outside the confines of our estate, even just for a day, held an irresistible allure.
“Since we’re on the topic,” Nicholas continued, resting his gaze first on me and then on Sophia. “What would each of you like for Christmas?”
“Truthfully,” I began, smiling softly at the man I’d come to love so deeply. “I’ve been so incredibly happy these past few months that I’m not sure I need anything.”
“I didn’t ask what you needed,” Nicholas countered, his lips curving into a knowing grin. “I asked what you wanted.”
“I’ll have to think about it,” I admitted, feeling a warmth spread through me at the reminder of how well he knew me. My attention shifted to Sophia, who appeared to be deep in thought.
“Nicholas, your protection has been more than enough,” Sophia said, her voice sincere as she met his gaze. “I don’t want anything else.”
“If you say so,” he said, though I knew he would likely still find some way to spoil both of us come Christmas morning. And I knew exactly what Sophia wanted. For years she’d wanted a beautiful Rolex watch. I wondered if there was any way I could get that information to Riccardo - and if he could afford to buy it for her.
“Tell me, Sophia,” I said as I leaned in closer to her, my voice just barely above a whisper. “Is there something you’ve always wanted but could never bring yourself to ask for?”
Sophia hesitated for a moment before glancing at Nicholas and then back at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “Well, there is one thing,” she admitted, almost reluctantly.
“Go on,” I encouraged, sensing that she needed a little push to reveal her secret desire.
“I always thought that I’d be a success in life if I was able to buy myself a Rolex. I even have a savings fund for it, but it will be decades before I can afford one. But it’s such an extravagant gift,” she rushed on, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. “I could never ask for something like that.”
I smiled warmly at her, understanding all too well the feeling of wanting something so desperately yet being unable to reach out and claim it. “Perhaps Santa will leave it for you under our tree,” I suggested.
I turned to my husband. For our first Christmas together, I wanted to make all his dreams come true. “What about you? What would you like to find under the tree?”
He looked at me with complete love and devotion. “Just like you, I have everything I need. And with you by my side, I have everything I want.”
As the daughter of a mafia family, it was rare that I ever heard anything like this. My parents devoted much more of their love and attention to my brother David, expecting the family legacy to live on in him. Speechless, I raised my napkin and blotted a tear from my eye.
It took a moment for me to regain my composure. “Thank you, Nicholas,” I said, touched by his heartfelt words.
Just then, Gina entered the dining room, her arms laden with plates of crème brûlée. The sight of the caramelized sugar glistening under the chandelier drew a smile from Sophia. It seemed that the three glasses of wine she’d consumed throughout dinner had finally begun to calm her nerves.
“Crème brûlée and coffee. Have a wonderful evening,” Gina said as she effortlessly picked up our plates. We eagerly dug into the delicious dessert, savoring every creamy bite.
As we finished eating, I glanced at the clock and realized it was getting late. “Sophia, darling, Nicholas and I have some matters to attend to. Would you excuse us for the evening?”
“Of course, Liliana,” she replied, her gaze flickering briefly to Riccardo, who stood silently in the corner. I noticed the flush on her cheeks deepened as their eyes met, and an idea began to form in my mind.
“Riccardo,” I called, my voice both gentle and authoritative. “Would you be so kind as to walk Sophia back to her room?”
“Absolutely, Mrs. Romano,” he answered, his tone respectful but tinged with surprise. He stepped forward, offering his arm to Sophia with a well-practiced grace. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between him and me, before accepting his offer with a small nod.
“Thank you, Riccardo,” she said softly, her fingers brushing against his as they touched his arm. It was obvious to me that an undeniable attraction simmered beneath the surface. Riccardo was a good man and I’d seen first-hand how kind he could be. He and Sophia would make a good couple.
“Goodnight, Sophia,” I said, watching as Riccardo led her out of the dining room.
