AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Oh God. Here we go again.
I palm my forehead. "I'm a vicious hitman, angel. Stop trying to turn me into a marshmallow."
Arlo laughs. "A real hitman would never drink apple juice out of a sippy cup." He kisses me again. "If you're a mob hitman, then you're the sweetest one I know."
I heave Arlo into my arms and kiss him. I try to think of the last time I felt so complete, but I can't. This boy is my missing puzzle piece. He's my everything. I'm so fortunate he's mine.
"The ceremony ends soon, boy." I smack Arlo's ass. "Get ready to meet my family."
Arlo gulps and nods. "Okay."
* * *
"Thanks for coming."Michael claps me on the back.
Arlo and I join my family at the refreshment table. The wedding ceremony is dying down, and everyone is binge eating hors d'oeuvres and appetizers. My cousin bought excellent eggplant Parmesan, chicken Alfredo, and fried ravioli from a five-star restaurant in Manhattan. Nana baked her famous garlic bread, and my grandfather even picked up cannoli.
Hey—is it really an Italian wedding without cannoli?
Arlo moans as he takes a bite of garlic bread. "This is so good." He closes his eyes and rubs his belly. "I died and went to Italian heaven. I've never eaten anything like this in my life."
Gianluca joins us and lets out a laugh. "That would be Rome." He hands Arlo a champagne flute of Dom Pérignon. "Or the South of Italy. That's Italian heaven. This is a white wedding in the Hamptons."
I let out a snort and try not to roll my eyes. Leave it to my brother to make fun of Michael's ceremony.
"Knock it off, Gianluca." I shoot my brother a stern look. "Arlo has never been around rich people before. Don't spoil this for him."
Arlo gulps down the garlic bread and takes a sip of champagne. "It's true," he confesses, smiling. "I grew up in Queens with lots of gunshots. This is as close to heaven as it gets."
"Damn right, boy," I grunt.
Arlo stares into my eyes. "Except for Constantine's penthouse in Chelsea," he whispers, wrapping his arms around my chest. "Waking up next to Constantine every morning is heaven to me. Seriously, Gianluca. You should try it sometime. Constantine is the best Daddy I've ever met."
Gianluca cocks an eyebrow at me. "So are you two official, then?"
I hug Arlo. Man, oh man. Arlo doesn't know it, but this is the way into my family's heart. Italians love full-force displays of affection.
Carlos never held my hand around them. That's why they hated him. The fact that Arlo isn't afraid to bury me in a hug means they'll love him.
I smile. "Yes. I must introduce him to Benedetto, then Mom and Dad."
Gianluca laughs and slugs my shoulder. "Don't forget Nana. She'll never forgive you if you don't introduce her to your future boy."
Benedetto joins us a moment later. At six foot five, he towers over Gianluca and I. He handles the weapons trade of our business. He constantly flies around the world scoping out deals. He has a scar on his right cheek that he received while saving abandoned puppies from a coal mine.
Benedetto's also the only one of us without a chiseled six pack and abs. He's a "cinnamon roll"—he's fluffy around the middle and loves to eat. His last boy broke up with him because of his weight, and he hasn't been in a relationship since.
"Did someone say Nana?" Benedetto's voice is low.
I let out a laugh. "Yes. This is my boy, Arlo. He wants to meet you and thank Nana for making this wonderful garlic bread."
Arlo shakes Benedetto's hand. "You must be Benedetto. Constantine told me so much about you."
It warms my heart that Arlo remembers the chat we had in my limousine. I told him Benedetto's my brother who enjoys Nana's cooking a little too much, which is why he's a cinnamon roll.
Benedetto shakes Arlo's hand. "Nice to meet you. You'd better not screw my brother over like Carlos. If you do, we'll have problems."
Arlo squeals and thrusts his arms around me. "Never." He smiles proudly. "Constantine is the best Daddy ever. I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm so lucky he's in my life."
