Page 51 of Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

Pulling my attention from the room, I stare into her green eyes. “Tesoro, you could never disappoint me.”

The smile I receive is worth everything I’ve endured to be here.

“Come on, let me show you off.”

Kate holds tight to my arm as I introduce her to the Family. She laughs when appropriate, answers any asked question in essence, she has them eating out of her palm. Frankie had prepared everyone of how much Kate looked like Bella, still, we had more than a handful remark on the resemblance.

We’d agreed not to announce her pregnancy until after she started the second trimester, that was fast approaching. I offered to delay this party, but Kate insisted I should keep my word.

“Ladies and gentleman, if you could take your seats.” Angelo was at the head of the table, a water glass in one hand and a knife in the other.

Leading Kate to the table, I pull out her chair, placing a kiss to the top of her head. Shifting my attention to Angelo, he nods once as he puts our plan into action.

“I want to thank each of you for coming out tonight. It isn’t everyday we have something like this to celebrate.”

Angelo backs his wheelchair out, moving to my left side. “Dante wears the ring, a tradition so old we cannot date it.”

Wiggling my toes inside my shoes, I wait for the nerves to surface.

“There is another tradition we hold high, one that also involves a ring.” Turning his attention to the table.

“Kate, will you please stand?”

Holding out my hand to her, “It’s okay, Tesoro.”

Standing to her full height, Kate takes my hand, looking nervously around the table.

“Tesoro, the day I met you was one of the most chaotic I’ve ever experienced. I went from ogling a beautiful girl, to a meeting which ended in gunfire.”

Kate squeezes my hand, the smile on her face never faltering.

“You defended a defenseless man, holding your own against a man who didn’t deserve your kindness. But most of all, you breathed life back into me.”

Kate will never know how close I came to allowing those bullets to take me. Having been willing to leave this earth for a woman who cut me to the quick.

“I don’t deserve your love, but I want it anyway.”

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the ring I had made for this occasion. Dropping to one knee, I look into the eyes of my future.

“Will you marry me, Tesoro?”

Kate uses her free hand to cover her mouth, tears filling the lower half of her eyes as she croaks out a tiny, “Yes.”

“Oh, my god!” A shrill voice severs the moment. “My best friend is getting married.”

Rising to my feet, I tuck Kate behind me as a tiny dark-haired woman comes running across the room, her arms open wide.

“Andi?” Kate drags out the name. “I thought you were flying in tomorrow?”

“Surprise,” she smiles as she launches herself toward Kate.

“Oops, sorry,” she whispers. “Did mean to —”

“It’s fine.” Kate cut her off, a pleased look in her eye.

“Let me see the ring?” Andi turns her attention toward me.

“Maron.” I hear Angelo swear as I slide the diamond on Kate's finger.

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