Chapter 140

I never thought a happily-ever-after was possible, especially not in Alex's world. But happily-ever-afters are overrated. The prince slays the dragon, saves the princess, and they live blissfully ever after? It's not that simple. Mine, somehow, was. My prince killed my dragon and saved me. So what if my prince was a mafia prince?

He kept his word. The following week, at his uncle's party announcing Xander and Hannah's marriage, and Alex and mine, he held my hand, smiled, and even dragged me to the dance floor. He didn't pretend to hate me for my own safety, to avoid appearing weak and exploitable, as I'd feared.

"I didn't know you danced," I mumbled, my arms snaking around his neck as his lingered seductively on my waist, fingers tracing the bare skin exposed by the side slits of my dress.

"I don't," his nose brushed against mine. "You make me."

I smiled as he kissed me softly. In a corner, I noticed Hannah and Xander. She looked ready to both murder and seduce him, while he sported a smirk that suggested getting on her nerves was his favorite pastime.

"I heard there was a wedding, and you were waiting at the end of the aisle," I said, frowning.

"There was. And then the most stunning bride in the world walked in," Alex flirted.

I glared. "I'm talking about Hannah."

"Who said I'm not?"

"Alex!" I hit his chest, and he laughed. I would have been angry if I hadn't been so captivated by his laughter. He rarely laughed so heartily, especially in public.

"Hannah always belonged to Xander. She just didn't know it then," Alex said, swirling me around.

"I don't care about that," I frowned. "I care that you locked me up for a week while the entire mafia prepared for your wedding to Hannah. And she walked down the aisle for you."

"And got left at the altar," Alex reminded me. "Because I only intended to marry one woman. A short girl, dark hair, grey eyes—a custom-made gift from God for me."

"A custom-made gift from God," I repeated, playfully rolling my eyes. "Aren't you just a delight today?"

"Every day, baby." He kissed me again. "And just so you know, you are the most stunning bride I've ever seen. No one compares."

"You mean it?"

"Yes, wife. I mean it."

I finally smiled, and he kissed me again, our fingers intertwined.

Let's slip out so I can show you how much I mean it," he offered, and I bit my lip.

"Okay," I grinned like a giddy teenager, and we slipped away, hands intertwined.

A week later, we flew back to Alex's parents' city. We'd left in a rush last time, and I hadn't properly thanked them for their hospitality, so we paid them a visit.

"Wow. You have a wife, and suddenly you're visiting more in six months than you did in the past six years," Sofia said gleefully, hugging her son.

"Welcome company, I hope, Mama," Alex replied, hugging her back awkwardly but happily.

"Not that much," Gabriel glared at his son. "I need time with my wife, too."

"You have three kids, all living in separate houses. I'm sure you don't mind the company sometimes," Alex retorted.

"Ronan crashes here every day," Gabriel grumbled. "Why did he buy that damn penthouse? It was a waste of money, you know? He spends more than he earns."

"Disown him," Alex suggested seriously.

"I just might."

The father-son duo continued their absurd conversation as they headed to the bar, and Sofia shook her head.

"You see what I've put up with for twenty-five years?" she told me. "Twenty-five years of this nonsense, Mia."

I laughed. "You have a good family."

"I know," she smiled affectionately. "And now, you're a part of it, too."

"Thank you for accepting me so warmly, Sofia," I said. "You grounded me and gave me a sense of belonging when I felt like I'd lost everything after I was kidnapped. I couldn't appreciate it then, but words can't express my gratitude."

"Shut up and never thank me again. I did for you what I would have done for Aurora, because you're my daughter now, okay?"

I nodded, hugging her.

Dinner was filled with friendly banter, laughter, and Italian cuisine. Aurora was at her apartment, and Ronan was at a friend's, leaving just the four of us. During dinner, Alex subconsciously held my hand across the table while talking to his father, a gesture that prompted a knowing smile from Sofia and Gabriel. Alex likely noticed; he always notices. He probably did it on purpose.

In the kitchen, while helping Sofia clean up, she looked at me with a tearful smile.

"Alex was a great boy growing up. His mischief was always outside the house, never inside. He fiercely protected his siblings, but when he was sixteen and told us he felt something was missing, I couldn't help but feel like I'd failed him a little," she said. "And then he left for a dangerous world to find what he lacked here, and I wondered if it was Gabriel and me. Maybe we did something wrong."

My lips twitched. I wanted to tell her his struggles stemmed from a psychotic dysfunction, which wasn't her fault, and that she was an amazing mother, but I let her continue.

"But I think what he was missing was you," she finished, and I was surprised. "He looks at you the way his father looks at me, like he'd burn the world to keep you warm."

"I love him just as much," I told her.

"I know," she said reassuringly. "Because you look at him the way I look at Gabriel."

After dessert, Alex took me for a drive.

"Without security?" I asked, not minding it at all.

"Am I mad?" He looked offended. "They're following discreetly."

I laughed. Some things never change.

"Where are we going?"

"Just driving around," he said suspiciously, but I enjoyed the cool air and loud music until we stopped in front of a house.

I stared at him, confused. "Where are we?"

"This was a gift from my grandparents when I turned eighteen," he said.

"Oh, wow. Are we staying here tonight?"

He nodded, and I followed him inside. It was large but smaller than the Philadelphia house. It had two floors, six rooms, an outdoor pool, a backyard, an indoor pool, and a gym.

"The furniture is so modern and warm," I said after his tour, standing on the large second-floor balcony with its telescope. "Your grandparents were ahead of their time to have this built seven years ago."

"They gave me an empty house, cupcake. I had this built."

"Fishing for compliments?" I raised an eyebrow.

He chuckled. "I had it done in the two weeks we were separated."

"Oh, really?" I eyed him. "Why?"

"You said the city makes you happy, and my world is dangerous. I planned on giving you this house to live in, if you decided to divorce me."

I deadpanned. "This was my alimony?"

He chuckled. "Let's just call it a gift."

"So, why did you bring me here?" I asked, my smile fading. "Please don't tell me you're pushing me away again, saying I'll be safer here."

"Do I look like a man who can live without his wife?" He pulled me close.

"Then what are we doing here, husband?" I mumbled. "Did you really bring me here to spend the night?"

"No, I brought you here to show you our future home." He smiled.

"What?"

"I know you want kids, and I know you don't want to raise them in a dangerous world."

"Alex, I'm not pregnant."

"I know. Let me finish." He glared. "If you can compromise and agree to stay with me here because you love me, then I can leave the mafia for you."

My jaw dropped. "What?"

"I have a legitimate business that funds the illegal ones. Nico has been helping me fully legalize it. So, whenever you say the word, we can leave with no ties to that world whatsoever."

"Alex" I gasped. "I know how much you like it there. You'd really leave it for me?"

"Whenever you say the word," he promised. "Even now."

"Not now," I said. "Maybe someday."

"Someday it is, then."

"I love our future home."

"I was really hoping you would." And then he kissed me again.