Angel's Mafia (gxg) ✓

LVV | Cassian

ANGEL

CASSIAN IS DEAD. I TELL CADE it was quick, merciless. More than he deserved.

"I found out where that coward was hiding. I found him in his nice little mansion, and I rang his doorbell. The son of a bitch needed new security. It was too easy taking them out."

"Well," she says. "Considering you once took a three-hundred pound man out, I don't necessarily blame Cassian's security detail. You're . . ." There is something adoring in her gaze when she looks at me, and I almost laugh: my sweet, murderous future wife. ". . . a force to be reckoned with."

"All I had to do was ring his doorbell," I continue. "He opened the door, sleepy. Probably expecting his bodyguard. I didn't need to spare any words on him . . . for you, for Dominic, it was fast. There was no way he would escape. There was no way I would let him go one more time."

Cade tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. "The beautiful, murderous love of my life."

Something in that softens me, to the point where I almost feel like . . . like crying.

"There and done," I say softly, and I lean in to kiss me. Her lips crash against mine, so soft. She tastes like citrus and lemon and verbena. She tastes like me, and the desire to fuck her . . . "We're free now."

"To do what?" she whispers.

This time, I only grin, pushing her until she hits the bed. And then I make her moan, so loud I am sure all of Italy will hear.

"IT'S ALL YOURS," I SAY.

"What?"

"It's yours," I repeat, sliding around my desk towards Maria. "If you want it."

"Angel," she says. "You don't understand. You're confused. You're . . ."

"Making you the boss," I say calmly. "I want you to be the leader of the Falcones. You deserve it. You've stood by side. You're the right person for this. I trust you to take care of Sicily."

"Angel, you can't possibly mean . . ." But there is dawning delight in her eyes, and I smile, knowing she is pleased.

If there is one person I trust, it is Maria.

"Okay," she says. "Okay, I . . . I will."

"Good," I say. "Now . . . I have something to take care of."

The weight of the black velvet box in my back pocket is already begging me to find Cade. It is late at night now, but in the morning . . .

In the morning, I'm going to make her mine. For good.

"Wait," Maria says.

I turn back, my hand on the doorknob.

"Are you sure?"

There is something hesitant in her voice, as though she is still surprised by this. As though never in a million lives would she have expected this. Me, choosing love―choosing Cade.

There is even something almost unrecognizable in her eyes. The faintest hint of . . . what is that? I can't tell.

"Yes," I say. "You'll do Italy right. You're ruthless . . . you'll do what it takes. You'll take care of our people."

"I won't let you down," she promises.

And with that, I turn away with my last glimpse of Maria: her sleek dark hair coiled at the nape of her neck. Her mouth twisted into a sharp, calculating smile. She is looking into the distance, as though I am already gone . . . as though this is already her city. And she is the queen.

"I know you won't," I say, but I know she is no longer listening.

THAT NIGHT, I CALL THE UNDERGROUND. WHEN CADE AND I HAVE DONE everything we want to, I know we'll find a home with the Alpha. The American Mafia, although not as powerful as my own gang, is still capable of protecting ex-bosses.

Freedom. The taste of freedom.

That night, I slip into bed with Cade, and I admire her face, gilded in edges of moonlight. Silvery light makes her blonde hair seem angelic. If she opened her eyes now, I know I'd see that brilliant, cornflower blue. My favourite colour.

"You're beautiful," I whisper. I know she is sleeping, but . . . there will never be a day of my life when I don't tell her.

I swear it to myself.

My sweet, empathetic future wife.

I still feel the press of the box in my back pocket, and I decide, Not tomorrow. I know exactly where to do this. Where to propose. Because Cade . . . she deserves the best. We'll go back to where it started . . . where we once might have ended . . .

"I love you," I murmur against her neck, and she smiles in her sleep.