Page 93 of Shot For Mercy

I mean, of course he does. He’s dressed nicely. He clearly has money, but he just smiles politely, as if he’s been expecting this interrogation.

“I’m a surgeon,” he says, and Matteo looks at him with a soft smile, squeezing his hand. As if he’s encouraging him to speak. “And I teach at NYU.”

“Fancy,” Giovanni supplies, and I nod. “He’s a catch.”

“And tell us, Hudson.” I smile back. “Do you know about the familybusiness?”

Matteo looks at me, his eyes flashing with defiance. He’s trying to convey something, and I’m catching on quickly that Hudson has no idea about the Cosa Nostra. His eyes beg me to shut the fuck up.

At this, Hudson nods. “I know about the real estate company. It’s hard not to know about it.”

I nod and smile. “Yeah, the biggest one in the city. Matteo should probably come back to work soon.”

At this, Hudson frowns. “I don’t mind taking care of him until he’s ready.”

That tells me he knows something about what happened between us. Though I shouldn’t be surprised, theyaremarried. I just wonder if he knows about Cole. He doesn’t seem to, considering he didn’t even bat an eye when my man got up and left. He seemed completely unperturbed. Clearly ignorant. Oh, yeah. Matteo hasn’t told him about his love life. That much is clear.

“Fair enough.” I sigh. “I just need my assistant back soon.” I wink, and Matteo stiffens. Hudson seems to sense it because he turns his face and presses a kiss to Matteo’s lips. My son relaxes instantly.

“I’ll be back soon, Dad,” Matteo says, looking at me once more. “After my honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon, huh?” I grin. “When is it?”

“Soon,” he replies with a smile. “It will be after your wedding, though.”

“You’re coming?” I frown.

“Of course I’m coming,” he says softly. “I’m Cole’s best man.”

Everyone turns to look at him, and I stiffen. What the fuck? He told Cole he couldn’t do it, and now he wants to?

Cole looks up at Matteo, his eyes wide, but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he reaches over and grabs my hand, squeezing tightly. We make eye contact, and he shakes his head slightly, and I know it means this is the first time he’s heard of it as well.

“You’re best friends, right?” Hudson asks, and Matteo nods. “Since childhood?”

Cole smiles at Hudson, and it seems like a genuine smile. “Yes, since Matty was five years old.”

“You’ll have to tell me all of his embarrassing stories,” Hudson tells Cole, whose smile broadens even more.

“I’d love to,” Cole says, then proceeds to tell Hudson all about him and Matteo growing up together.

And right now, all I can think about is how lucky I am to have all my family here.

Together.

Hopefully forever.

It’s my wedding day.

Time has passed in a blur the past three months, and now we’re here. I can’t even believe it. Four and a half months ago, everything was hopeless. I didn’t even think I’d make it out of that basement alive, and now I’m about to walk down the aisle to my husband. I’m about to promise him forever and always—and I’ve never been happier. I’m finally where I’ve wanted to be for years. By his side, permanently. We’re going to be unstoppable together. We already are.

We picked everything for the ceremony and the reception together. The same way we do everything else. He didn’t even suggest I do it all on my own, which I’m grateful for. I wanted him to be a part of it. It’s his wedding too, after all. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could taint today. I know it’s about to be the best day of my life.

Matteo has already left me in the groom’s suite to join his father at the altar—as my best man. Alessandro is Emiliano’s best man, and so they’re all waiting for me to walk down the aisle right about now. The wedding planner ushers me outside toward the back of the cabin, and when my shoes meet the grass, everything goes quiet in my head. I’m at peace, finally, exactly where I’m supposed to be.

The pianist begins to play as soon as he sees me, and everyone turns their heads to look at me. It’s beautiful here, with white chairs lined up in rows. White petals are strewn about on the grass, and it’s simple but elegant. We opted for a small ceremony with just close friends and family. We’re getting married in Washington State to avoid any interruptions from enemy gangs or anything we could be unprepared for. We’re determined for this day to be special.

I walk down the aisle slowly, my focus solely on Emiliano, and he grins at me. I can see the tears streaming down his face already, and it triggers my own. Fuck, I knew I’d be emotional, but I’m a mess. He wipes his eyes and face right as I get to him, and he gives me a soft smile that reaches his eyes. They crinkle at the corners, and it makes my heart burst in my chest. I hold his hands, and we turn our bodies to the side.

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