Page 116 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“And I love you, Nora. Always.”

We stand there together, watching over our daughter, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the future doesn’t feel so daunting. It feels full of promise, of hope, of love.

And it’s ours.

Epilogue

Rafaele

Six months later

It’s been six months since I painted the streets red, six months since I tore the world apart to find Nora. The aftermath wasn’t easy. The massacre I orchestrated left scars on the city—on me—but it also solidified my place. Il Mietitore isn’t just a name anymore. It’s a legend. And now, the legend has taken a queen.

Il Mietitore and his wife. The very mention of us strikes fear into our enemies and commands respect from our allies. Leo has finally come into his own. My brother, once uncertain and full of doubt, has become everything I hoped he could be. He’s earned the trust of the famiglia and, more importantly, mine.

With the family stable and power firmly in our hands, I’ve decided it’s time to focus on what truly matters: my wife. Nora has been everything—a mother to our daughter, a homemaker, and still managing her studies. But she’s also the woman who owns my soul, and I’ve neglected her in ways I vowed I never would.

As I sit in my study, the low hum of activity in the house a comforting backdrop, Paolo walks in with his usual smirk. “Everything ready?” I ask.

He nods. “The cabin is prepped. And don’t worry, Lucia and I will hold down the fort here.”

I raise an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. “Lucia is staying here with you, hmm? Should I be worried about scandalous behavior in my house?”

He rolls his eyes but doesn’t deny it. “She’s a handful, but I can handle her.”

“You sure about that? I’ve seen how she looks at you, Paolo. Don’t break her heart—or I’ll break you.”

Paolo grins but doesn’t respond, choosing to leave with a wave instead. I stand, brush off my jacket, and head upstairs to find Nora in Aurora’s nursery. The sight of my wife stops me in my tracks. She’s rocking Aurora, humming softly. Our daughter’s dark curls frame her cherubic face, her blue eyes drooping with sleep. She’s perfection, a mix of my fierceness and Nora’s softness.

Nora glances at me and smiles, her love shining through the exhaustion. “She’s almost down.”

I step closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“She’s ours,” she whispers, kissing Aurora’s forehead before gently laying her in the crib.

As she straightens, I pull her close. “I have a surprise for you.”

Her brows knit together in curiosity. “What kind of surprise?”

“You’ll see. Come.” I lead her downstairs and out to the car. Her hand tightens in mine, her gaze searching mine for clues, but I say nothing. The drive is short, but her curiosity only grows. When we pull up to the secluded cabin, she gasps softly.

“Rafaele…” she breathes out.

I open her door and take her hand, guiding her inside. The air is filled with the scent of fresh wood and lavender, and the space is warm and cozy. A fire crackles in the hearth, and a bottle of wine sits waiting on the counter.

“You’ve been a mother, a student, and a homemaker,” I say, turning to face her. “And I’ve been a father and a capo. But we’ve forgotten to be something else: husband and wife.”

Her eyes glisten, and she steps closer, resting her hands on my chest. “Rafaele…”

I silence her with a kiss; her lips part beneath mine, and I deepen the kiss, savoring the way she melts into me. My hands slide down her back, pulling her closer, and I feel her soft curves press against me. The warmth of her body, the faint scent of lavender still clinging to her skin—it’s intoxicating, a reminder of everything I’ve been missing.

I scoop her up into my arms, her soft gasp making my chest tighten with need. “No interruptions,” I murmur against her lips, carrying her to the bedroom. “No famiglia. Just you and me.”

Her fingers tangle in my hair as I set her down on the plush bed, her eyes heavy with desire as they meet mine. “Just us,” she whispers, her voice trembling with anticipation.

I trail my hands over her sides, letting the straps of her dress fall, revealing her bare shoulders, the smooth expanse of her skin illuminated by the firelight. I take my time, kissing my way down her neck, my lips lingering on the spots that make her sigh and tilt her head back to give me more.

“You’re everything,” I murmur, my voice thick as I slide the dress lower, baring her completely to me. “Everything I’ll ever need.”

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