Page 174 of Flawed

"Who's Zach?" I questioned, the hairs on my neck rising.

"Dad, he's really nice," she claimed.

I grunted. "I'll be the judge of that."

"He's going to Harvard, too," she stated.

My chest tightened. The thought of Zach having access to her at college didn't make me breathe any easier. I replied, "You know the rules."

I could imagine her rolling her eyes. "Don't worry. I've already invited him over for dinner so you can interrogate him. He's been warned."

At least she's following the rules without begging me to change them again.

When Zara started dating, I made a strict rule. No boy can take her out unless he comes over and eats dinner with us. Then I grill him for hours about himself and his family.

I added, "Well, you just took all the fun out of it."

"Dad!" she reprimanded.

"What time is he coming over?" I questioned.

"Dinner is at six," she stated.

I got my business done and hurried home. Zach seemed like a good kid, but I'm not letting my guard down or giving Zara any indication of my thoughts. And I took him aside like all the other boys she'd brought home and instilled the fear of death in him.

Zara clears her throat and says, "I thought a lot about what to say today. The only piece of advice I have is what I've learned."

Chanel squeezes my thigh and dabs a tissue under her eye.

Zara continues, "Life is going to throw you lots of curveballs. Some are good. Some are bad. But everything happens for a reason, even the bad. And sometimes, there are things you want in life. Things that hurt to not have. But just because you don't have what you want at that moment doesn't mean you'll never get it. You just have to trust it will eventually come to you." She locks eyes with me again.

Love and pride take over. I can't help it. I swipe at a tear.

She smiles bigger and says, "Thank you."

The audience stands up and cheers. It takes a few more minutes until we're outside and she's in front of us. After we take pictures, we go to Angelo's. All the Marinos are waiting there, along with family friends. Even the Ivanovs and O'Malleys flew in from Chicago to celebrate.

Tully is there with Bridget, Sean, and Fiona, but his four sons have returned to Ireland. They left a few months after Chanel's and my wedding. According to Tully, things are too explosive for them to leave.

I questioned him when he chose the term explosive. He just gave me his knowing smirk and took another puff of his cigar.

Zara runs off with Sean, Fiona, and a handful of her friends she invited, including Zach. We barely see her for the rest of the party.

Chanel stands by my side, and I scan the room. Kids of all ages are running everywhere. Angelo's four sons and their wives, plus Arianna and Killian, all have toddlers and newborns. The Marino family is multiplying like rabbits, and Angelo's sitting on a couch with kids crawling all over him.

Peace envelops me. I'm finally a Marino to the world. I've claimed my birthright in the family and there are no more questions.

The Abruzzos are barely in existence anymore. The bomb Brody dropped destroyed the hierarchy in their family. The fallout from the remaining members all fighting for power only disintegrated their dominance in New York further.

Chanel tilts her head and asks, "Do you regret not having more kids?"

I cock an eyebrow, inquiring, "Is that a trick question? Are you pregnant?"

She laughs. "No. The shot's still working just fine."

I exhale and tug her closer. "If you were, I'd be happy. But I'd feel bad for the poor kid."

"Why is that?"

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