“You two are really co-dependent.” Carina sits up on the bed.
“Jealous?” Angelica teases her.
But Carina doesn’t smile. “A little bit.” She shrugs.
“Well, we’re all sisters now, so there is no reason to be jealous,” I tell her. I know she has a good brother, but there is nothing like having a sister.
“Fine, but no take-backs,” she chirps with a fake evil smile.
“So did I miss the gift thing?” Angelica asks.
“Oh yeah.” I shake my head, having forgotten for a moment. “Fernando killed Constantine Larone.” I’m not going to call him my father ever again. “Once I say ‘I do’ to Fernando, the Larone name is dead along with him.”
“Holy shit.” Angelica gasps.
“You’re not upset, right?” I ask quickly.
She blinks. “No. Not at all. He was a bastard, and I’m … I’m glad he’s dead.”
“See, the Butcher isn’t scary. He makes dreams come true.” I stand from the vanity, ready to put my dress on.
“What kind of fairy tales did y’all read growing up?” Carina laughs from the bed.
“Get off the bed and get dressed,” my sister orders her before she helps me into my own.
“Welcome to having a bossy sister, Carina. Remember you asked for this.”
We all get into our dresses, then do our final touch-ups. I wonder what my Fernando will look like in a tux. I can see him now getting flustered with his bow tie and someone having to help him.
“Hey.” Carina grabs my hand suddenly. “Thank you. Fernando and I have never been close, but he is still like a brother to me. He’s protected us all. I’m happy he’s found someone that can love him for the man he is.”
“Don’t thank me. He’s easy to love,” I say simply.
“I don’t think all of us are.” Her words are ominous, but I don’t get a chance to ask what she means before a banging sounds from the door.
“Fernando, I’m coming!” I shout, knowing it’s him.
“You’re supposed to wait downstairs,” my sister adds.
“No,” he grunts from the other side of the door. A giggle bubbles free from me. I walk over and open the door to see my handsome soon-to-be husband standing there. He opens and closes his mouth when he sees me.
“My dress is more shocking than me telling Constantine and Len that I was a dirty girl with your cum inside of me?”
“What?” my sister shouts before she bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
“You better not say you’re shocked I’m doing this.” I give Fernando a stern look.
“No, sweetness. You need the engagement ring.” He holds up a ring between two of his fingers. It's a giant square black diamond that is surrounded with smaller diamonds that shine brightly around it. It’s perfect. It reminds me of him and me. I hold my hand out, letting him slip it onto my finger.
Now his mark is on me forever. I carry a piece of his darkness, and I’ll never let it go.
EPILOGUE
BUTCHER
Wiping my hands clean, I drop the bloody cloth on the table and reach up to turn off the bare bulb hanging over my victim’s head. He’s dead. Finally. And he gave me the names of two of his associates who’ve been trafficking women on our turf. I’ll be visiting them soon enough, and their lives will end here in the dark with their friend.
But that’s work for tomorrow.
Tonight, it’s my anniversary, and I promised my sweetness I’d be home on time. I close the door to the shed and lock it, then stride to the house. Antonio and Angelica are out of town on vacation, so Bianca and I have the place to ourselves.
After a quick shower in the spare downstairs bedroom, I head to the kitchen and get to work. I make her favorites, frying chicken cutlets and making mashed potatoes just the way she likes. I’m almost finished plating when I feel her walk up behind me, her fingers splaying along my back.
“You should’ve woken me up.” She yawns.
“And interrupt a pregnant woman’s nap? Never.” I turn and kiss her, my hand resting on her round belly. “I showered down here so I wouldn’t bother you.”
“You’re so good to me.” She winds her fingers behind my neck and kisses me again, our tongues dancing with each other as I pull her closer, her body soft, round, and warm. I’ve only been away from her a few hours, but I find I’m already starved for her.
Her stomach growls, and I pull away, then walk her to the kitchen table and get her seated. “You’re hungry.”
“I am.” She licks her lips, her gaze straying down my chest to my pants. “Very hungry.”
“Food first.” I step back. She’s been insatiable ever since she got pregnant, and I’m not complaining, but that doesn’t mean she can skip meals. Not on my watch.
She groans and rubs her stomach as I slide her plate in front of her and light the candles in the center of the table. “You’re always so romantic, Fernando.” She smiles up at me as I drop one more kiss on her lips.