“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I think you’ll make her feel part of it, not an outsider. She has a lot to learn about how the mafia deals with things. At times, I can see fear in her eyes, and I don’t like that.”
Aria smiled. “She’s a part of the family, honey. I’ll do whatever I can to help her. Maybe she could help me in the office.”
“I think that would be good for her. I’ll ask her.”
“You told me you were pretending that she was your fiancée.”
“I’m not pretending anything. She is.”
“Would you like to get married soon?”
“Yes. I don’t want anything elaborate, though, unless she does. I was thinking of having a justice of the peace come andmarry us.”
“How about we get the families involved a bit?”
“How? I don’t want her overwhelmed.”
“We could do it here and have your sisters, their husbands, and us. It will be small, and then we can eat a nice meal.”
“I like that idea.”
“When would you like this to happen?”
“How about this Saturday? It will give me some time to move my things in and get her some clothing.”
“What size is she?”
“She’s a little bigger than you, but not much.”
“I’ll take care of everything, if you don’t mind. I wasn’t really a part of my daughter’s weddings, except for Beth, so this will be fun.”
“So you really do consider her your daughter?” he asked.
“Absolutely. Family is what you make of it, not the blood that runs through our veins.”
He stood. “I should be going. Before returning to the Macleans’, I’ve got a few things to do.”
She stood. “Can you hold on for a moment? I’ve got something I want you to have.”
“Sure.”
She rushed out of the room.
Dominic stared at the picture over the fireplace.
“Alastair and Graham told us you finally got your head out of your ass, but I had to see it for myself.”
He turned to see Trent and Mateo. “Yes, you could say that. I should apologize to the two of you. There is no excuse for my behavior.”
“You just found out you had a huge family, and your father had lied to you for years, son. We don’t hold a grudge,” Mateo said.
He nodded and then turned back to watch his mother walk back in. She walked up to him and grasped his hand before she put a small box in his palm.
“I want you to have this. It was your great-grandmother’s ring.”
He opened the box to see a gorgeous square-cut two-carat diamond engagement ring and a band surrounded by small diamonds wedding band. It was beautiful and very expensive.