He stands up and leaves, and I know where my next stop must be.
The Italian.
I have my driver take me there, and I make Jarred and Lyle wait outside. I let Kimber, the hostess, seat me and ask her to summon the chef for me personally. She clearly knows who I am because she doesn’t protest.
I wait a moment before Kira comes out, holding two plates of lasagna. She sits one in front of me and the other in front of herself as she takes a chair. “I saw you come in.”
“I was just with Alessandro,” I say, starting to eat.
“Oh, really? What did you talk about?”
“Business,” I say. “And he says he wants your approval before he agrees to my proposal.”
She smiles as she eats. “Let’s hear it then.”
I explain to her what I want. Only when I’m done, do I start eating. “So? What do you think? Could our families join?”
“You have to be more active in Raphael’s life,” she says, wiping her mouth on a napkin. “Like taking him to school, picking him up, and taking him to Kung Fu. You have to attend Teacher Parent conferences, and you have to co-parent with me. Those are my conditions.”
I reach for her hand. “That’s something that would be easier to do if we were together again.”
She shakes her head, and for a moment, my heart drops.
“What do you think? We can just pick up from where we left off?” she asks in a very gentle tone. “Because we’re older now, and you’re a Don. Not a college boy who falls for pretty girls.”
“I have loved you from the day I met you, Kira. I knew a few things for sure. You were going to be my wife. You were going to be the mother of my children. You were going to be a Don’s wife, and you would understand what that entails. We can still make those dreams come true.”
She laces her fingers through mine. “If we take it slowly, I’ll consider it. I mean, I’d like to go out on a proper date. I haven’t been on one in thirteen years.”
“A picnic, perhaps?” I suggest. “Central Park is lovely this time of year.”
She gives me that mischievous smile I love so much as she says, “Sounds like a plan.”
Chapter 29 - Kira
One Year Later
“I don’t know why you’re stressing so much. Both our mothers are in the kitchen preparing lunch,” Miguel says to me, rubbing my shoulders.
I can’t believe we’ve been back together a year, and we’re hosting the first official united family Sunday lunch at our new villa.
“Because the food has to be perfect, and what if our families break into a fight,” I moan. “And if we don’t have enough seating, what are we going to do.”
“You’ve planned this to the last letter. I promise it’s going to be fine. Alessandro will make sure there are no fights, especially because Katya is stressed with the twins.”
Raphael comes running into the house, his tie askew. Miguel lets me go and pulls Raphael to him. “Mimmo, what are you doing? You know your mother is stressed today.”
“Sorry, Papa, I was just playing,” he says. He’s thirteen now. I can’t believe how tall he’s getting, just like his father.
“You must make sure your cousins are entertained today,” I say to him. “Don’t let them get too dirty, though, Raphael, especially Giovanni. Your Zio Frankie will have a heart attack.”
“I said I’ll do a good job babysitting, Mama,” he whines. “I won’t let them get into trouble or get dirty, I promise.”
“That’s a good boy,” Miguel says, patting his head. “Now, don’t run off too far. People are going to start arriving soon.”
He turns and kisses my head. “It’ll be fine, Amore Mio. I promise.”
“Easy for you to say, you’re the Don of half the family,” I say, and he chuckles. He turns as he hears a car pull up. “They’re here. Let’s get this show on the road.”