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“Easy… watch your step,” I grabbed Marco’s arm as he made his way up the front steps of the mansion. He had finally been discharged from the private hospital, where I ensured he was given the best care and treatment. He would never see out of that eye again, but I was already in talks with the doctors about a surgery programme that would ensure he wasn’t stuck wearing an eyepatch for the rest of his life.
“I still have one good eye, Cece. I can see the steps,” he chuckled, squeezing my hand that I had firmly gripped on his arm. I knew I was being protective, but I couldn’t help it. I nearly lost him. I thought that might have made me run for the hills to know how easily another man I cared so deeply about could be taken from me, but it in fact did the opposite. I no longer had any doubts about my feelings for Marco or how content I felt about a future with him. He would never be Vinny and that’s okay. No one could ever be Vinny to me. But he was Marco. And he was wonderful.
“Marco! You’re back,” Gio boomed with a wide grin as he greeted us in the entrance hall. Grabbing Marco’s shoulders, he forced him into his chest and gave him a manly but meaningful hug. Marco looked a little taken aback from the spontaneous display of affection shown by his Boss.
“Gio, be careful!” I snapped, pulling them apart as Marco chuckled nervously.
“This man is made of steel! He is not going to break from a hug, mamma!” Gio reprimanded, shaking his head and giving Marco a knowing look. “I know I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly in the aftermath of what happened, but I do really appreciate everything you did in the South. If it hadn’t been for you, Elle would have been given to Galiz so we are forever in your debt, Marco.”
Marco started shaking his head immediately. The man was too modest for his own good. “I was only doing what any other soldier would have.”
“I think we both know that is not true,” Gio gave him a small smile as he placed his hand on his shoulder, staring into his one good eye. “Which is why I would like to speak to you in my office. I have a proposition for you.”
Marco nodded respectfully as Gio turned to lead them upstairs. My brows furrowed in confusion as I had no idea what this was about. Gio hadn’t said anything to me about a proposition, but then I had hardly seen him between spending all my time with Elle or going back to the hospital so I could visit Marco. Without an invitation, I followed them up the stairs and into Gio’s office.
“I guess you can be here for this too, mamma,” Gio smirked when he turned to see I had taken a seat in front of his desk. I smiled up at him before turning to give Marco a little wink of encouragement. On the drive home from the hospital, I had insisted now was the time to come clean to everyone about our relationship, starting with Gio.
“Before you start, Boss, there is something that we would like to speak to you about,” Marco said, the nerves were evident in his tone, but his calm exterior gave nothing away. Gio frowned and took a seat, gesturing for Marco to continue. He cleared his throat and glanced at me, before he turned back to my son.
“As you know, I have been working for this family for seventeen years. I was lucky enough to be hired and trained by Vincenzo and I looked up to him as a role model for many years. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time and entrusted me with his most beloved possessions. His children. I guarded, protected and watched you and Elle grow into the remarkable people you are today and now I am lucky enough to do the same for Sani and Raya. It has been the greatest honour of my life.”
“Si, and I am extremely grateful for all you have done, Marco,” Gio nodded with a smile.
“Grazie. But I would like to be honest with you,” Marco continued as he held Gio’s gaze. My heart started thundering in my chest as I looked between the two men. Gio was the only person whose reaction to this news concerned me. I had no idea how he would take it.
“Okay.”
“Over the last few years, naturally Cecilia and I have spent more time together because of the children and we have grown closer. I started to develop deep feelings for her, but I kept them to myself for a long time. I have the utmost respect for my role and the trust you place in me so I never wanted to overstep my professional boundaries.” Gio frowned as his dark eyes darted over to me. I reached out and held Marco’s hand, which only made his scowl grow. “But over the last few weeks, Cecilia has expressed that my feelings are reciprocated. And with your blessing, we would like to explore those feelings.”
Gio blinked rapidly a few times, staring between us.
“I-I’m confused. You are asking permission to date my mamma?”
“No, Gio,” I interrupted softly with a smile. “We are dating. But it would mean the world to us if you gave us your blessing.”
He stood up abruptly, pacing the room. Marco peered over at me with concern as I squeezed his hand. “Gio. Marco makes me happy.”
“How long has this been going on?” he blurted, glaring at me.
“Not long. We started to realise there was something special between us in France. I know you are shocked, but Marco has been the perfect gentleman and has been so patient as I worked out my own complicated feelings. I made him promise not to tell anyone until I knew for sure this was what I wanted. And it is, Gio. He has brought joy and light back into my life. And I hope you can find it in your heart to see that and be happy for us.”
Gio stopped pacing and held my gaze before looking over at Marco. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair before replying, “Of course I can, mamma. All I want for you is to be happy. And if Marco makes you happy, then I am here for it.”
I exhaled as Marco nodded with respect. “I promise my intentions are to only make her happy for as long as she will let me, Boss. Your blessing means the world to us.”
Gio smiled at him. “Good. But if you ever hurt her Marco…”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Boss.”
I stood up and walked over to Gio, giving my eldest son a tight hug of gratitude. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders and the rest of my life filled with hope and joy could now begin.
“So, what is this proposition for Marco you wanted to discuss?” I asked as I released him and sat back down.
“Well, I was planning to give you the very speech you gave me about all you have committed to this family Marco, but you beat me to it,” Gio smirked, sitting back down in his chair and leaning back leisurely. “You both know that Maximus has been taking on the role of both consigliere and underboss for the last two years. He is stretched too thinly. And with all that is happening in the North now, I need another set of eyes and ears on everything. I would like to offer you the position as my consigliere, Marco.”
I gasped in delight, my hand covering my mouth as I turned to gaze at Marco’s shocked expression. He opened his mouth and closed it a few times. He turned to face me when I squeezed his arm with excitement. My elation fizzled away when I saw hesitation in his eyes. He turned back to Gio as I sat frozen in my chair, unable to guess what he was about to say.
“That is a truly generous and incredible offer for a man like me, Boss. And I am honoured that you would think so highly of me to see me as capable for a position of that importance but I am afraid, with respect, I would have to decline.”
