The Mafia Killer’s Wife by Rosa Milano

Epilogue

Amanda

One month later…

The ceremony is perfect. Especially because no one drags me away at gunpoint. The legal stuff takes less than an hour. Preparing for a proper ceremony takes a month and then I get to do it all again but this time with all the guests I want. Turns out the only ones I want are Tess and Rose who's become like a mother to me already.

"You married the shit out of him," Tess says at the reception, staring at the rock on my finger. "Where do I get myself a guy like that?"

"Start at Silhouettes," I reply with a grin, looking across at Ethan. He's deep in conversation with Dino. Fitz is sitting by his side, watching the crowd like a doorman. The Don's taken an armchair at the corner of the room and there's a queue of people waiting to talk to him.

Tess looks across where I'm looking. "Got a whole Godfather vibe going on over there," she says. "Is he making them offers they can't refuse?"

"I think he's just taking requests for the DJ."

"Seriously?"

I shrug. "You could go and ask him."

"Like I could talk to a mafia Don. His son on the other hand, I could talk to him. What was his name again?"

"Paulie."

"Any chance of getting his number. There's an Italian ice cream I wouldn't mind taking a lick from."

"Did that sentence work in your head?"

"Sort of."

I wave and get Ethan's attention. He nods and heads over, weaving his way through what feels like the entire Gianni famiglia. Next to him is Paulie, glass in his hand and cheeks red from dancing. "Paulie Gianni, meet Tess Weekly," I say. "She would like to learn Italian so I thought your native tongue could help her."

Tess nearly snorts her drink through her nose. I get to my feet and take Ethan's hand. "I'll leave you two to talk."

I walk with Ethan to the dance floor. He puts his arms around me and we start to move together. "Glad you married me?" he asks.

"Sure."

"Nothing could spoil it, right?"

"What are you getting at, Ethan?"

"Look behind you."

I turn my head in time to see my father shuffling on the spot over by the door. He looks like he's about to turn and leave when he sees me looking and freezes. Ethan lets go of me. "Want me to talk to him?" he asks.

"I got this," I reply, heading through the crowd until I reach the door. "Dad," I say when I get there, "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to thank Don Gianni for giving me a job."

"So you picked my wedding day to do it?"

"No, I mean, I wanted to come and see you but I didn't know if you'd want me here. I signed over the conservatorship to the courts. You’re in charge of things, Amanda. I should go. I'm sorry, Amanda. I shouldn't have come here."

I sigh, unable to hate him as much as I want to. I haven't got the emotional space for him anymore. I'm guessing that's some kind of personal growth. "You can stay," I tell him. "I heard about mom. How's it going?"

"The clinic say she's doing really well."

"Good. I'm glad."

He holds a hand out toward me. "I am sorry for everything, Amanda."

I want to tell him to go fuck himself. I want to tell Ethan to shoot him, but I look at him and all I feel is sorry for him. It's been a month since Primo Mancini was killed and my father's shock at backing the wrong horse hit him hard.

At first, he was sure he was going to be killed. Maybe he was. But I spoke to Ethan, who spoke to the Don. Dad's a gopher again, this time for the Gianni's. One proviso. No gambling. He's doing his best to knock it on the head, attending meetings once a week. Mom's in a clinic for alcohol dependency, paid for by the Don too.

"I hear you've got a new job coming up," Dad says, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Gordon's Cove, is it?"

"Yeah. How did you hear about that?"

"The Don mentioned it. Said you were going to work at the animal shelter there. I'm proud of you, Amanda, I really am."

"Thank you." I feel a shadow behind me, and I know who it is. Ethan appears overs my shoulder.

"Victor," he growls.

I turn and look up at him. I know I'd only have to click my fingers and he'd break my father's neck. "I should go," Dad says. "Congratulations to the two of you."

Ethan holds out a hand and they shake. It'll do. I don't know if Ethan can ever forgive him for what he did but I already have. I won't waste the mental space on him any longer. He's got a job and he's not making any waves. He knows he's on thin ice. He turns and walks out.

I go with Ethan back into the room. "You sure you don't want me to kill him?" he asks as we start dancing again.

"I'm sure," I reply. "Besides, I thought you were retired."

"Doesn't count as work if I do it for fun."

"Fun? Killing my father would be fun?"

He shrugs and then smiles down at me.

"You've got a weird sense of humor," I tell him, shoving him in the chest. "How did I not know that about you?"

"You've got a lot to learn about me."

"Like what?"

"Like how the Don has given us a wedding present."

"Was that what you were talking about in the corner?"

"It was. Want to know what he's given us?"

"A toaster? That's the standard wedding gift, isn't it?"

"He's given us his island."

"Excuse me?"

"There's an island off Gordon's Cove. He was living there years back."

"I'm guessing he's not there anymore."

"Place burned down. I was thinking maybe it'll be the perfect retirement home for me. I could build it myself, get the security right from the very start. Give Fitz plenty of room to run around without getting lost. Maybe get him a girl dog to make us some little puppies?"

"Sorry, all I heard was retirement home, and I started picturing you with pipe and slippers."

"Whatever floats your boat, Amanda."

"You only call me that when you want to punish me."

"Maybe I do. You still haven't told me what your secret is."

"What secret might that be?"

"The one you mentioned this morning before the ceremony. What is it?"

"You'll never get it out of me. My lips are sealed."

"We'll see about that."

His eyes go cold for a moment, and my ass tingles in anticipation. All of a sudden I can't wait for the honeymoon to start. The song comes to an end and it's like a signal to all the guests. They gather around us as Ethan sweeps me into his arms and carries me outside to the waiting car.

He loads me into the passenger seat before climbing in. I glance back and see Tess kissing Paulie. I go to toss the bouquet her way but she doesn't even notice.

"This is what happened last time," Ethan tells me.

"What do you mean?"

"In Silhouettes. I left with you and she didn't notice back then either."

"A lot's changed since then."

"It certainly has."

He guns the engine and we roar off. "Gordon's Cove, here we come," I shout out the window as we tear away from the Don's house and head for the freeway.

"Going to tell me your secret yet?" Ethan asks as I look out the window at the city whipping past us.

"I might have put a plug in my ass just before the reception," I say in the most innocent voice I can manage. "Might have had it in for the last couple of hours."

He glances my way, and a hungry look crosses his face. "Without my permission?"

"I guess I forgot to ask."

He growls hungrily and I laugh. I know what's coming when we get to Gordon's Cove. Some people have a bridal shower. I'm going to get a bridal spanking.

You know what? I can't wait.