Page 169 of Mafia and Gold Digger

“You two have enough toys as it is,” I say as I hug Emerald into me even more. “Plus, I think both of you promised me you’d tidy those rooms of yours before you got any more toys, okay?”

“Okay!” they chorus.

I pull Emerald with me as I fall onto the couch, and we watch the kids carry on with their homework as they chatter away.

And for the first time in a whole week, it doesn’t feel like the world is off kilter. Because with Emerald here, it feels like the whole world’s fucking righted itself.

* * *

“Checkmate,” I declare with satisfaction.

Emerald groans. “I know I’m out of practice, but Jesus...”

I smile, righting the board as she sits back in her chair. “That’s three in a row. I think that counts as more than out of practice, Em.” She sticks her tongue out at me, but as she stands, I catch her hand, tugging her to me. “You don’t need to worry about Carmine.”

“What do you mean, Saint?”

“He’s dead.”

She blinks, and I feel her falter a little. I guide her to sit down on the edge of the bed beside me. “How? I mean, I thought he was too…”

I give her a shrug. “Turns out he wasn’t powerful enough to avoid judgment.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to tell you the truth about this even though my natural inclination is to lie to protect you. But I’m not going to lie to you anymore, Emerald. I found who was stealing the money from the casino to partner in a trafficking operation with the Croatians. It was Armando Barbieri, and I killed him. I don’t know how he managed to bury it so well, but he did. It took a while, but once I got on the right trail, I could finally see where the money was going. Christian gave me the go ahead to end him.”

“Okay. But I don’t get what that has to do with Carmine?”

“I planted evidence to make it look like he was also involved. And when I presented that to Christian, he gave me the go ahead to take out Carmine as well.”

She huffs out a breath. “You…did that for me?”

“To keep you, the kids, and the baby safe. A better man wouldn’t have done what I did, but I don’t want you to have any misconceptions about my role here.”

She’s silent for a long while.

I purse my lips. “Say something, Em.”

“So, I don’t have to worry?”

“No, Emerald, you don’t have to worry. The bounty is gone.”

“Okay… So, there’s no need to have another wedding,” she murmurs.

“Wedding?”

“I mean, because the wedding was really just so I would be protected by being your wife.”

I laugh softly. “I still want a wedding. Even after you ran out on me. And I intend to actually marry you this time.”

And she gives me a pleased look before a frown settles on her face.

“Are you okay, Emerald?”

“The Carmine thing is a lot to process.”

I tug her legs over my lap, my thumb brushing her thigh as she looks at me.

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