My body is frozen where I stand as I stare at him.
He looks different. His hair is longer and he sports a thick, but well-trimmed beard. Gone are his iconic suits, exchanged for a simple black Henley and dark jeans. He looks leaner, like he hasn’t been eating as well as he used to, but there’s no denying he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
And he’s here. In the flesh.
“Did you miss me, dolcez—”
I jab him in the gut with the tip of my baseball bat. “FUCK YOU, YOU ABSOLUTE DICKHEAD!”
“Arin, please, calm down,” he says hastily, rubbing his stomach with a grimace with one hand, holding the other out to me. “Let me explain.”
“Five months,” I roar at the top of my lungs. “Fivemonths, Dominic! How could you let me think you were dead this whole time? Do you have any idea how heartbroken I was? Oh my God, I thought you—” I wheeze, I sob. I’m probably an ugly, hysterical mess, but I don’t give a damn. My hands tremble, my body is ice cold and flaming hot at the same time. “We had afuneralfor you,” I whisper. My throat is so tight it burns.
Dominic steps forward and sweeps me up in his embrace, his strong arms very much like coming home. It’s almost ridiculous how easily I melt into his touch, clinging to him like a lifeline out in the middle of unforgiving seas. He smells just the way I remember; his skin is warm just the way I remember, his presence is calming just the way I remember.
Dominic presses kisses against my forehead, the top of my hair. “I’m sorry, dolcezza. I died a little every day that I couldn’t be with you.”
“Butwhy? Why couldn’t you? What happened, Dom?”
“Let’s have this conversation inside, cuore mio. You’re shivering like crazy.”
I nod, too overwhelmed to argue.
There’s no need for me to carry myself inside because Dominic does it for me, easily lifting me into his arms. He carries me bridal style over to the couch, allowing me to straddle his lap and hold him close. I bury my face against the crook of his neck, unwilling to give him even an ounce of space. The past few months have been unbearable without him. I’m not letting him out of my sight.
“Tell me,” I mumble against his skin. “Don’t you dare leave out any details.”
Dominic rubs my back in slow, soothing circles. He holds me just as tight as I hold him. “Death is the only way out of the life,” he starts, his voice a low rumble against my ear. “I realized something the day of your show. I’d been so distracted, trying to take control of my new position and getting used to my responsibilities as a capo. I didn’t realize how much of my time it was taking. As a result, it meant less time for you and Felicia.
“But that day… When we had our fight because you were worried I wouldn’t come… It made me realize I was putting my duties to the Family before the only real family I have. And when I learned Elio and Milo had taken you… I knew I had to make a change. I couldn’t just leave, though. That’s not how we work. So when those bastards wanted to blow up the warehouse, I saw an opportunity.”
“You faked your death,” I mumble.
Dominic nods. “It had to be convincing. Unfortunately, I had to deceive you as well. If anyone thought for even a moment that you were in on my plan, they would have kept looking.”
“So youletme grieve?” I smack him on the shoulder. “You dick.”
“Believe me, I’m not happy about it, either. I can’t even begin to apologize for the pain I’ve caused.”
I pull back a little, more than aware of how hot and swollen my eyes are from crying. “But why did it take so long? Why couldn’t you have tried to reach out?”
“I needed to wait to be declared officially deceased,” he says. He sounds a little too casual about it. “And the thing about being a dead person is that it’s very difficult to get anything done. No phone, no place to live, no access to my bank accounts. It was a hassle, but I finally managed to secure myself a new ID. See?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a driver’s license. I take it, turning it over to study it thoroughly. It’s incredibly convincing. From its design to its weight to his picture printed on the front. The only thing that catches my eye is his name.
“Dom Wilson?” I read aloud, a light warmth blooming in my chest. “You’re going by my last name now?”
“If you’ll allow it,” he says with a gentle smile.
I half-laugh, half-cry. My nerves are all jumbled up, but I don’t care. When I’m with Dominic, I feel safe to let it all out. “Of course I’ll allow it.”
He runs his hands down my waist, then glances down, clearly noticing the weight gain. It’s not much yet, but it is noticeable. His eyes lift to mine, questioning.
I smile at him and nod. “I’m pregnant. I found out the same day I was told you were dead.”
“My dolcezza,” he whispers, his eyes filled with emotion. “Can I please kiss you now?”
“You don’t even have to ask.”