Four Months Later
Spring had come early, giving them a few seventy-degree days in March. From the look on Valentina’s face when he’d given her roses for Valentine’s Day the month before, he knew she’d been hoping for an engagement ring. They’d already talked about their future and that they wanted to spend it together. Even kids were discussed. That fact both excited and scared the shit out of him. She would be an amazing mother though. He knew that.
Valentina’s business had boomed. Both of them. Firenza was booked all summer already for weddings. If they were going to get married, they’d have to do it on a Friday. He wanted to ask her but there was still something he had to do first. Her family was very traditional. Roman had already given his blessing but there was one more person he had to speak with first, her father, Joseph Caponelli.
He’d left early to drive to Chicago. Even though he’d grown up there it had no hold over him. Everything he wanted and needed was in Lake Genoa. Roman had set up the meeting but there was still a big knot in his gut about meeting one of the most feared men in the Windy City. The one whose daughter he slept with every night. He swallowed and it lodged in his throat. He wanted the man’s approval. It was important to Valentina even if she said it wasn’t.
The place was like a fortress. A big iron fence laid out the border of the estate. They’d been expecting him so he was waved right in. Ryan had worn a suit. Appearances were important to the family.
It was a shock when he rang the doorbell and it was answered by Valentina’s mother. They had similar looks.
“I’m Sophia. Welcome.” She took his hand in hers. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Valentina loves you so.”
“Thank you. I feel the same way. You probably know why I’m here.”
“Yes. Roman told us. Follow me.” Her heels echoed on the tile floor. It seemed that the woman shared the same love of shoes as her daughter. When they arrived at door, she knocked and motioned for him to go in. Sophia mouthed, “Good luck,” and patted him on the shoulder.
Behind a large wood desk sat Joseph Caponelli.
“Hello, sir.” Ryan approached him with his hand out but the man just motioned for him to take a seat.
“I understand you are interested in my daughter.” Mr. Caponelli had a commanding voice and didn’t mess around.
“Not just interested in, but in love. I am here to ask for your blessing in asking for her hand in marriage.” Sure, it was the twenty-first century, but behind these walls and in their world, tradition and respect took precedence.
Joseph leaned back in his chair, the smell of leather in the air. “That I cannot give.”
“Why?” Ryan’s world came crashing down. He would never let anything come between them but this was going to make things so much harder.
“I don’t need to give you a reason, but if you must know, you’re Irish, we are Italian. You are the law, we are,” he searched for a word, “on the edge of that, so to speak.”
“I don’t care about any of those things, only Valentina and her happiness.”
“As do I, that is why I cannot allow her to marry someone whose father killed his wife.”
There it was. The one thing he’d feared all his life would come back to haunt him. “I was just a kid at the time. You can’t blame me for something I have nothing to do with.”
“I can and I do. I’ll give you one more chance, otherwise get out.”
His behavior irked Ryan. So much for playing nice. The man didn’t deserve such a sweet girl as his daughter. But then maybe it was just a test to see how far he was willing to go to fight for her.
“You heard about the Housewife Killer?” Ryan rested his elbows on the arms of his chair.
Joseph nodded and narrowed his eyes. “Go on.”
“She took Valentina. I stepped in front of her and took the knife that was meant for your daughter. I can show you the scar if you like.” It was just a nick but it could have been much worse.
“Any man of worth would do that same thing.” Joseph leaned forward in his chair. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Wait.” Ryan thought fast. He’d rehearsed a dozen different responses but none of those would work. The man wanted something else from him. Joseph didn’t want him to beg but to fight. What had Lucky Bauer said to him? Give the man something he couldn’t refuse.
“I’ve waited long enough.” Mr. Caponelli stood and so did Ryan.
“Hear me out. I was there when your son shot the Housewife Killer in the head. She was unarmed and not a threat. He shot her in cold blood.”
“I don’t care. The woman deserved it.”
“It was against the law and he could serve time. They also covered it up. I have it all on the body camera I was wearing.” The department didn’t have them but hopefully the man wouldn’t know that.
Joseph took a gun out of his desk and laid it on top. “So I could just shoot you now and take care of that problem myself.”
“I’m smart enough to have a copy, and that copy will be made public if something happens to me. Look, I love your daughter with all my heart. I would die for her, but then she would hate you and Roman would go to prison. It’s your choice. Gain a son-in-law or lose a son.”
Mr. Caponelli grumbled under his breath but finally walked around the desk and held out his hand. “Welcome to the family. I’ll be watching you.”
Ryan exhaled for what seemed like the first time since he’d entered the office and shook his hand. He’d just lied again but it was worth it. Was this what Roman had meant when he said he could thank him later? When he got back to Genoa, he was going to find out.
Valentina
Ryan had been bursting with energy ever since he got home. He was full of surprises and he had a big one for her right now. When he showed up with a black silk blindfold, going for a ride was that last thing she thought her love had in mind. “Can I peek?” He reached for her hand before she could pull at her blindfold.
“No. Just be patient, we’re almost there.” They hadn’t driven far, but without being able to see it seemed much longer.
The car finally slowed. The tires were on crushed rock. Where in the world are we?
“Now?”
“Nope.” He put the car in park, turned off the engine, and got out of the car. As soon as her door opened, the scent of pine permeated the air. She wondered if they were in the forest. Ryan unbuckled her seatbelt and helped her from the car.
The blindfold was removed and her eyes adjusted to the light. They were at Black Point, the estate they’d visited on their first date. He led her to the fountain where they’d shared a wonderful kiss. The place wasn’t usually open for visitors this early in the season.
“I don’t understand.” It was a lovely place, but why were they there?
“This place has been here over a hundred years. I know I won’t live that long, but the love I feel for you will last an eternity. When I kissed you here, I knew we were destined to be together.” He got down on one knee and revealed the box he’d been hiding behind his back. Instead of the usual single solitary, there was a huge ruby surrounded by diamonds. It was perfect. “Will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?”
Valentina bounced on her toes. “Yes, yes, yes.”
He got to his feet and nearly hugged the air from her lungs.
She slowly slid down his body and framed his face in her hands. “And you’ve made me the happiest woman in the world.” He kissed her again in front of the fountain. One day they would bring their children there. Maybe have a picnic on the lawn. Ryan held the ring out and she slipped it on her finger. A perfect fit, just like they were. “I love it. I couldn’t have imagined anything more beautiful.”
“That’s what I think every time I see you,” her fiancé replied. “So, my future wife. How soon do you want to get hitched?”
“The sooner the better, and I know just the right place.”
They couldn’t have asked for better weather on the second Friday of June. The sun sparkled on the lake. It would be a private wedding with less than fifty people at Roman Caponelli’s home. Already the chairs, flowers, and crisp white runner were in place. The guests had arrived and more would be waiting later at Firenza to join in the festivities.
Sophia fought back tears as she watched Madison adjust Valentina’s veil. “My beautiful daughter.”
“It’s the dress. Madison, you truly have a gift.” The off the shoulder straps were made of elaborate lace that also covered the bodice and parts of the A-line skirt. It was cut deep in the back where the long train was attached. The veil had been her mother’s and was just as long as the train. She’d dressed underneath the gown with just as much care. Ryan would love the lace corset, thong, thigh highs, and blue garter. Her shoes were white with rhinestones but it was a good bet that he wouldn’t love them as much as her red ones.
“Thanks, but it’s your face that glows, not the dress.”
She embraced Madison and her eyes misted. “We were blessed the day Romeo brought you into the family. You truly are a sister to me.” Her mother joined in the group hug.
“Are you ready?” Stephanie poked her head in the door. “The music has started. It’s time.”
“Yes.” Valentina dabbed at the corner of her eye with a lace handkerchief. “I hope I don’t mess up my makeup.”
“You look lovely, dear.” Her mother kissed her cheek and tears threatened to flow again. “Did I tell you that your father likes Ryan?”
“What?” That stopped her in her tracks. “He hates everyone.”
Sophia looped her arm through Valentina’s and led her from the upstairs bedroom. “He thought the man was brave and that he would do anything for you. That’s all he asks from any man. Loyalty is what he respects the most. He knows Ryan will risk anything and do anything to keep you safe and love you forever.” They held their skirts as they carefully took the stairs. “He hates that you will have an Irish last name though.”
Valentina laughed.
“An Irishman for a son-in-law? What have you done to the family, my princess?” Her father was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. “Your beauty is only second to that of your mother’s. I’m so proud of the woman you have become.”
“Thank you,” she choked out, and her eyes watered again. It would be a struggle to keep the tears at bay.
“No tears today. Only smiles,” he said, but his eyes were glistening as well.
“It’s time,” Stephanie said. She was tasked with keeping everyone in line for the day. She already had Madison by the door and Arlo was there to take Sophia’s arm and lead her to her seat up front. Stephanie handed Valentina the bridal bouquet of bright red roses.
Madison would be next out the door. Roman and she were the best man and matron of honor. Ryan and her brother had become very close in the last few months. Madison had designed her own dress. It was a sleeveless long, pale blue chiffon gown with a v-neckline. Music from a string quartet drifted in.
“I almost forgot.” Stephanie’s eyes were wide and she held an antique box in her hands. “It’s from Ryan. It belonged to his mother.” The box contained a simple strand of pearls. “He wanted you to have it.”
It felt right to have something from his family. Everything was complete. “I love it. Can you help me put it on?”
“Let me.” Joseph took the necklace from Stephanie’s shaking hands before she quickly left the room. “It’s perfect.”
Valentina touched the pearls. How she wished his parents were here to see the man their son had become. A warmth filled her heart and as she pictured them watching from heaven.