Page 116 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
Still, to be surrounded by new friends and old, enjoying each other’s company—it’s everything.
Hopper comes up to me in the kitchen after losing yet another hand to Hughes. I know he’s disgruntled about it, but there’s a sort of wistful look on his face as he pulls me into a side hug. We stand there for a moment, watching our friends chat and fill up their plates as they get ready for the next hand.
“This is what it’s supposed to feel like, isn’t it?” he asks, resting his temple on my shoulder.
“Yeah, Hop. This is what family feels like.”
EPILOGUE
FORD
“What are you thinking about, beautiful?”Luca asks, handing me a glass of Gio’s special reserve.
It’s too chilly to dine on the penthouse’s deck this Sunday, so we’re sitting around the rustic dining room table while Joe makes us one of his nonna’s recipes.
“Just thinking about this good life we have here. How lucky I am to have met you,” I say, kissing his cheek.
Luca sends me a soft smile, then looks over at Mads and Rand, who both give him a nod. I glance between them and him, wondering what kind of sneakiness they have up their sleeves.
Suddenly, my yay, mother, father, and three enormous brothers appear out of nowhere and Luca is kneeling before me. He reaches into his pocket, and my breath hitches when he pulls out a black velvet box.
“I got a favor to ask you.”
“Yes,” I say, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.
“Wait, you have to let me ask.”
“Yes,”I repeat, laughing.
“Fine. But I’ve loved you since the moment I inappropriately laid hands on you. Getting to know you better has only settled it for me. You are the love of my life. I never thought I could have that, but here you are, and you make me a better man.” He opens the box, and inside is a gorgeous platinum ring studded with diamonds.
He continues, “These diamonds are from my great-grandmother’s ring. She and my great-grandfather didn’t have much money, so all she could get was a ring with a bunch of tiny diamonds. When the jeweler took it apart and began to play with the diamonds and platinum, we realized the tiny stars could make up the sky. The Italian sky, to be exact. Ford Bradley, will you marry me?”
“I don’t know if that’s going to go with my style,” I say, wrinkling my nose at the ring. When Luca’s face falls, I wink and stick my hand out. The whole table erupts with laughter, and Luca raises his brow.
I shiver. I do love it when he looks like a mobster.
“I love you so much, and I cannot wait to see what good we can do together. I love you, I love you, I love you, and yes, I will marry you.”
Wiping away a tear, he kisses me, then slips the ring on my finger, a perfect fit.
I hold it up under the light, loving the pattern of tiny diamonds.
“It’s Cassiopeia,” I say, recognizing the constellation. He winks at me and rises. I jump from my chair and throw myself at him.
When we finally part, I notice Rand and Mads holding up a T-shirt for me. I immediately take off my blazer and pull it over my button-down.
Stefano for Life
“It’s perfect,” I say, hugging my friends as I secretly make plans to have it tailored.
“Who knew Ford would give up his chastity for a mobster?” Mads asks, cackling. He then slaps his hand across his mouth and darts a look over to my yay.
She cracks up and responds, “I knew he had it in him all along.”
My mother, father, and brothers all face-palm, but none of us are surprised.
Laughing and crying, everyone surrounds us, and we end up in a silly big group hug. Even Hopper looks a little misty-eyed.
