“We’re receiving reports of a tragic accident involving the infamous mobster Matteo Abruzzi,” the news anchor says, her voice heavy with feigned neutrality. “Early details describe the scene as catastrophic. Witnesses report his car veered off a sharp cliff on the outskirts of the city, plummeting into the canyon below. Authorities state the vehicle was found mangled beyond recognition, with no chance of survival for the driver.”
Mirabella’s hand freezes mid-air, the glass of water she was reaching for forgotten. Her wide eyes meet mine, searching, questioning. The silent conversation is deafening.
Was this you? Did you…?
“You know me, Bella,” I say, my tone calm, deliberate. “I had to make him pay for what he did to you. To your family.”
Her lips part as if to argue, but she hesitates. For once, she doesn’t scold me or jump to lecture me on limits or consequences. Instead, she studies me. And maybe, just maybe, there’s a part of her that understands.
“Ettore...” she begins softly, but the words trail off.
I take her hesitation as my cue, moving to kneel before her.
My hands find her face, cradling it delicately.
“You are mine, Bella. Mine to protect. To love. To cherish,” I say, my voice steady, filled with an unshakable resolve. “I’d die a thousand deaths and fight a million wars before I let any harm come near you. For every battle you faced before you met me, I’ll make sure to obliterate those memories alongside the bastards who caused them. You’ll never have to face them again.”
My thumb brushes her cheek as I hold her gaze, my words pouring out like a vow I’ve made a hundred times before—and will make a hundred more. “I’ll always fight for you. Always. And that includes putting assholes like Abruzzi, who’ve already earned their spot in my black book, six feet under without a second thought. You’re my world. Protecting you is my purpose, and I’ll never hesitate.”
My words hang in the air, charged with sincerity as I lean closer to her. I seal my promise with a kiss. A declaration of my commitment and loyalty. I pour all of my love and determination into the moment.
When we finally part, her eyes shimmer with unspoken emotion and her breath catches ever so slightly. She gazes at me as if I've given her the entire universe, but still manages to tease me with her soft voice, saying, “You sure know how to make a girl feel like royalty, don’t you?”
“Royalty? Damned right. You’re my queen, Bella. And anyone who forgets that will have to deal with me.”
“You’re impossible.”
I lean closer, my lips a breath away from hers. “Impossible? I preferdevoted, but I’ll take it.”
“Devoted? Is that what we’re calling your particular brand of crazy now?”
“Call it what you want, Kitten,” I reply, smirking. “But you’re stuck with me. Barbarian, lunatic—whatever label you slap on me—I’m yours, Bella. Always.”
“Oh, absolutely you are. And while we’re at it, let’s not forget to addpersonal chaos magnetto the list.”
“A chaos magnet who keeps your world in order. Admit it, you’d be bored without me.”
She tilts her head, pretending to consider. “Hmm...possibly. But I’d also get a lot more sleep.”
I can’t help but laugh at that, pulling her even closer. “Well, I’ll just have to keep making it worth your while.”
She shakes her head, but there’s a smile on her lips. “I’m still not sure how I ended up with you.”
“Fate,” I say simply, my voice low. “And because no one else would dare keep up with you.”
She laughs again, and I capture the sound with a kiss. Her hands slide up to rest against my chest, and I know in that moment that everything I’ve done—everything I’ll ever do—is worth it.
For her. For us.
For our twins.
When we finally break apart, the news anchor’s voice cuts through again.
“Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, but given the extensive damage and lack of evidence, it may remain a mystery.”
Mirabella arches an eyebrow at me, and I shrug, entirely unapologetic. “What? Sometimes karma just needs a little...encouragement.”
She swats my shoulder, but her smile betrays her. “You’re lucky I love you.”
“Oh yeah? Why don’t you show me just how luckyI amto love you,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms. Her laughtersoftens into a contented sigh as she leans into me, fitting perfectly like she always does.
In the warmth of her embrace, I know I’ve found my peace, no matter how many wars I’ve waged to get here.
I seal the moment with another kiss. It’s slow and deliberate, a quiet declaration that no chaos, no fight, and no storm could ever steal this from me.
I realize I’ve found my peace, my home. This—her in my arms—will always be my favorite thing to come back to.
THE END
