Page 25 of Redemption

“She did save both our asses,” Red grins.

“Well, Squirt, is this a happy ending or what?”

“It is. I have a family a real, bad-ass family. And a baby brother or sister…”

“What?”

Red nods. I don’t care who sees me weep on live TV as we circle Red and place our hands on her tummy. I might be a monster or a villain or maybe just a dark prince. Take your pick, you’ve read my story. You can judge. All I know is I’m one lucky bastard to have these two women in my life, loving me for all my faults, mistakes and bad pieces that make me. But I’m not all bad pieces, somewhere along the way an angel came down and sprinkled some good ones in.

Here in their arms, I’ve found my redemption and I thank God every night I did.

Epilogue

ROQUE

“Roque! Over here! Who do you think will be cast to play you in the movie?”

I smirk, pausing for a second. Camera’s flash. The reporters fight, each vying to get their microphones closer, eagerly waiting my response.

“Is there anyone who could portray me? Please? I’ll play myself.”

“What about Romina? Who will play her?”

“Maybe, I’ll scrap the movie deal and make it a documentary.”

My phone lights up immediately. My agent’s name flashing. I already signed the multi-million book and movie deal to Universal for the rights to turn my fucked-up love story into an adapted screenplay.

“Told ya’ it was the best love story never written.”

“Not any longer, squirt. Who do you want to play you?”

“I don’t care as long as they do me justice. I can’t believe we are famous. That our story is famous, and everyone knows it.”

“There wasn’t much I could do after the confiscated it.”

“You mean, besides, copyrighting it. Thank God, you had photocopied everything and kept it in your safe at the country house. Did you really like the title?

“Loved it. You nailed it, Chloe.”

“Are you ready?”

“Are you?”

“Definitely. It’s not every day a girl gets to walk her super famous, super villain, bad-ass mafia king dad down the aisle.”

“Villainous Poet is going to be number one at the box office for a year I just know it. We will live forever. Our story will live forever. I’m totally geeking out.”

I lift Chloe’s hand, kissing the back as the church doors are opened. The chapel in Palermo is magnificent and fitting. Instead of funerals and prayer masses, it’s finally seeing the wedding of the century. A Salvatore and a Fiorelli united under God in holy matrimony and not because it’s some sub-plot in a family feud.

Chloe and I smile as the trumpets announce our arrival. She walks me down the aisle, taking her place by my side as “best person.” Dare, Rafe, Johnny and Seb stand after her, my princess. We all straighten as more trumpets play, announcing my queen’s entrance. No one walks Romina down. She’s so regal it’s unneeded.

On her finger my fire burns. The ruby is always alight. Her eyes meet mine with so much being conveyed. We made it. From that day of death in the coat closet of a funeral home to today. A day of hope, new life, a new journey we’ll take. I always imagined this day I just never thought it would take so damn long.

Tati and K fuss over little Romeo as they cradle him. Red didn’t want bridesmaids. And they were more than happy to take care of Romeo for the day.

“Finally, it’s you. Only you.”

“Don’t remind me of your last wedding,” she warns.

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