Epilogue
Firenze is alive, full of mobsters, all drinking, smoking cigars, and congratulating Snake and me. I look around the opulent lobby, the expansive murals on the wall, and the bubbling fountain in the center. The last time I was here, I couldn’t fully appreciate the beauty of this place. I’d been too busy plotting to kill Monty.
Snake’s arm slithers around my waist, pulling me closer to him, as yet another group of handsome, well dressed men wish us Auguri!, which means ‘best wishes’ in Italian. I gaze at Snake’s well defined features, and my heart flutters a little. The last time I was here, I was a different person, bitter, hard, and closed off to the world. Now, I’m so filled with happiness, sometimes I can hardly stand it.
Tomorrow, Snake and I will be married.
Scanning the crowd, I spot my parents sitting at a table in the corner. My mother is watching the scene with a curious awe. My dad is tapping his foot incessantly, which is what he does when he’s nervous. Everyone at this party, with their slicked back hair, tailored suits, and guns, some concealed, and some not, scream mafia. I sneak a kiss from Snake, and go over to sit with them.
“Having fun?” I ask, sitting down.
Mom blinks, looking around. “It’s definitely interesting,” she says.
“Never been to an Italian wedding before,” Dad says, taking a sip of his scotch on the rocks. I remember the well-worn paperback of The Godfather sitting by Dad’s armchair when I was a kid. I know exactly what he’s thinking.
The crowd parts in front of us, and Franco Mariano emerges. He wears a trench coat draped over his shoulders, a fedora, and bites a thick cigar between his teeth. I cringe for my parents’ sake. Franco might as well have the words Mafia Boss tattooed across his forehead.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hunt,” Franco says, extending his hand to my parents. “It’s an honor to meet you. We’re so pleased to have your Jessica join our family.”
“Family?” Mom says, squinting. “I thought Snake was an orphan.”
“We’re an adopted family of sorts,” Franco says. “I can assure you that Snake will take good care of your daughter. He’s rising up the ranks quite fast for someone his age. I foresee great things in his future, especially with a woman like Jessica by his side.”
Dad narrows his eyes. “That’s impressive,” he says, suspiciously.
Franco sweeps his arm towards the bar. “Please, drink as much as you like. Dinner will be served soon.”
With a graceful bow, Franco leaves us. Dad looks at the table for a moment, fiddling with his glass, before turning to me.
“What kind of business is Snake in again?” he asks.
“Concrete,” I squeak out.
“Rising up the ranks?” Dad scratches his chin. “What exactly did he mean by that?”
“He was promoted to manager recently,” I say. It’s not one hundred percent truthful, but it’s not exactly a lie, either. A capo is a manager of sorts. I take a deep swig of champagne.
“You’re drinking again?” Dad asks.
I lay my hand on top of his, softening my eyes “A glass of champagne, the night before my wedding, that’s all.”
Dad crosses his arms over his chest, sinking into himself. “Is everything about this concrete business on the up and up?”
I raise my eyebrow with a sardonic smile. “Are all the businesses you invest in on the up and up?”
Dad bristles at this. “I’m just concerned for you, after everything.”
“You don’t have to be concerned for me anymore,” I say. “I’m happier than I ever have been.”
He heaves his shoulders, sighing. “I don’t suppose there’s anything I can say that will make you reconsider?”
“Nope.” I shake my head with a smile.
“Does he treat you well?”
I catch a glimpse of Snake across the lobby. He smiles when our eyes meet, and starts to walk over.
“Better than that,” I say. “He treats me like his equal.”
When Snake approaches our table, I’m once again reminded of how startlingly handsome he is. With his black, tailored suit, towering height, and powerful build, he certainly makes an impression. I can’t believe that tomorrow, he’ll become my king, and I’ll be his queen.
Snake greets my parents, then lays his palm between my shoulder blades. His body heat warms me instantly.
“May I steal your daughter away?” Snake asks.
“I don’t think I could stop you,” Dad says.
I stand, and kiss my dad on the forehead before leaving with Snake. He takes my hand, leading me through the kitchen, to the small room tucked away in the back. It’s dark and quiet in here, a clear contrast to the bubbling excitement outside. This is the room where I poisoned Monty’s tequila. I feel a satisfied warmth in my belly. I didn’t get him them, but we got him in the end.
Snake pulls me into his chest, his arms hanging low around my waist. “What do your parents think of this crowd?”
I giggle. “They’re adjusting.”
“We can take some getting used to.” He reaches down further to grab my ass. The dark look in his eyes sends a shiver up my spine.
“I’ll say.” I stroke the side of his face. He leans in and gives me a deep kiss.
“I can’t believe that tomorrow you’ll be officially mine,” Snake says.
“It doesn’t have to be official to make it true.”
He presses tighter against me, kissing me again. I feel something hard in his shirt pocket.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“It’s an Italian tradition,” Snake says, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out something metallic and pointy. “The groom carries a piece of iron in his pocket for good luck. It’s not exactly iron, but it will do.” He holds it up, turning it around in the light.
“Is that-“
“The bullet that put Monty’s lights out.” Snake encloses the bullet in his fingers, then slips it back into his pocket. “The end of the old, the beginning of the new. Bruno found it for me.”
Snake looks away, his face turning slightly gray. I know what he’s thinking. Bruno’s his best man, but if things were different, it would be Salvatore filling those shoes. We haven’t seen or heard from Sal since we left him at Dr. Stone’s. Snake tried to track him down, but to no avail.
Snake shakes it off with a devilishly charming smile. “You know, it’s also tradition for the bride to make a small rip in her veil. For good luck.”
I purse my lips and glare at him. “No way in hell am I doing that. My veil is a thing of beauty.”
Snake laughs. “We don’t have to keep all of the old ways. Some people might not like that.”
“Who cares what other people think. You’re the one giving orders now.”
He takes my hand in his, and kisses my knuckles. “I’ll need your help, deciding which traditions to keep, and which ones to ditch.”
He gives me that dark, intense look. I know what’s going through his head, his fiendish desires. I smile at him coyly.
“What about the tradition of the bride and groom being kept apart the night before the wedding?” I ask, innocuously.
Snake’s face turns hard. He looks down at me, his lips pressed together in determination. “I haven’t let you out of my sight from the moment I met you. I don’t plan to now.” He growls softly against my ear. “You’ll be sleeping in my bed tonight, and every night after that.”
We fall into a warm, all-encompassing kiss. I cling tightly to this man, Snake, my watcher, my protector, my partner, my husband.
From now, until forever.
The End