Page 153 of Auctioned Innocence
“We’ll figure it out,” Dante says, squeezing my hand. “Maybe find somewhere with more space than a penthouse. Somewhere safer.”
“As normal as possible when your parents are in organized crime,” I add with a nervous laugh.
“Speaking of which,” Marco says, his voice getting stronger as he fully wakes up, “what’s been happening? With the Council, with Viktor’s network? Please tell me we actually won this damn thing.”
“We did,” Dante assures him. “Your father and Mario have been handling the Council aftermath. Viktor’s entire network is dismantled, Lorenzo’s assets are frozen, and the families have voted to restructure the security protocols. We’re finally safe, Marco. Really safe.”
Marco’s relief is visible. “Thank god. And Dad? How’s he handling everything?”
“Mom and Dad have been worried sick about you,” I say, squeezing his hand. “But he’s also been talking about stepping back eventually. Letting the younger generation take over. He’s getting tired of all the politics and violence.”
Marco raises an eyebrow. “I have a feeling the news about becoming a grandfather is going to give him a whole new perspective on what’s important.”
Dante and I exchange glances. We haven’t had time to talk about what our future in the family business would look like, especially now with a baby coming.
“We’ll need to figure out what kind of life we want,” I say slowly. “What kind of world we want to bring this baby into.”
“Different from how we grew up,” Dante adds quietly. “Safer. More choices.”
Marco studies us both for a moment. “You’re thinking about stepping back too, aren’t you?”
“Maybe,” I admit. “I don’t want our children growing up the way we did. Always looking over their shoulders, always wondering who to trust.”
“The world’s changing,” Dante agrees. “Maybe it’s time for us to change with it. Use our skills for something more…legitimate.”
Marco nods slowly. “You know, that might not be as crazy as it sounds. A lot of families are moving toward more legitimate businesses. Security consulting, maybe? Using your combinedexpertise to help people stay safe without all the…traditional violence.”
“It’s just a thought,” I say quickly. “Something we could build together.”
“I like it,” Marco says. “And I think Dad will too. Especially once he finds out about his grandchild. Though knowing the Council families, once word gets out about the baby, you’re going to have more offers of protection than you know what to do with.”
We continue talking. Marco asks more questions about what he missed, and we fill him in on the details of Viktor’s downfall and Lorenzo’s capture. Eventually, the conversation turns to lighter things.
“So,” Marco says with a grin, “have you thought about names yet? Because I have some suggestions.”
“We literally found out an hour ago,” I laugh. “I haven’t even thought about it.” I look at Dante. “What about you?”
“Antonio for a boy,” he says quietly. “After my father.”
Marco’s expression softens. “Your dad would have loved that, Dante.”
“I’m not even sure I want to find out the gender,” I admit. “Part of me likes the surprise.”
“The baby’s going to have more protection than the president,” Marco observes. “Once word gets out to the other families…”
“About that,” I say carefully. “We’d like to keep this quiet for a while. At least until I’m further along. After everything that’s happened…”
“Of course,” Marco agrees immediately. “Your secret’s safe with me. Though Mom and Dad are going to figure it out eventually. They notice everything.”
“We’ll tell them soon,” Dante promises. “Once we’ve had time to process it ourselves.”
A comfortable silence falls over us as the reality of everything starts to sink in. The war is over. We’re safe. We’re engaged. We’re having a baby. After months of chaos and violence, it almost feels too good to be true.
Later that night, after Marco’s fallen into peaceful sleep and we’ve retreated to Dante’s apartment—now equipped with the enhanced security system Mario insisted on—the reality of everything finally hits me.
We’re engaged. We’re having a baby. We’re building a life together.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask as Dante carefully helps me out of my clothes, his hands gentle on my still-flat stomach. “About all of it? The marriage, the baby, changing everything we’ve worked for?”
