The Mafia Boss’s Baby Wouldn’t Stop Crying—Until a Single Mother Did the Unthinkable
Tears streamed down Sarah’s face. «This is crazy.»
«Probably.»
«I’ve known you a week.»
«Best week of my life.»
«Your world almost got us killed.»
«I’m leaving that world. For you. For Marco.» He kissed her again, deeper. «Say you’ll stay. Not for three days. Forever. Be my wife, Sarah. Not because of traditions or sacred bonds, but because I love you and I think—I hope—you might love me too.»
Sarah looked at this beautiful, dangerous, impossible man. She thought about how weak she felt in his world, but how alive she’d felt in his arms. She thought about Marco sleeping peacefully against her chest, this child who’d healed something broken in her heart.
«I do love you,» she whispered. «God help me, I do.»
«Then say yes.»
«Yes.»
Six months later, Sarah stood in a small church in Montana, wearing a simple white dress. Marco, now chubby and healthy, babbled happily in Teresa’s arms in the front pew.
«Nervous?» Dominic asked, looking devastating in a dark suit, his hand warm in hers.
«Terrified,» Sarah admitted. «But in a good way.»
The wedding was small. Just Teresa, Luca, and a handful of others who’d followed Dominic into his new life. Sarah’s parents were there too, cautiously accepting of their daughter’s whirlwind romance with the reformed businessman who’d swept her off her feet. They didn’t know the whole truth. Didn’t need to. That part of Dominic’s life was over.
The vows were simple. No mention of Dons or empires or sacred traditions. Just two people promising to love each other through whatever came next. When Dominic kissed her, Sarah felt complete for the first time since losing Emma.
This was her family now. Her impossible, beautiful, miraculous family.
The reception was held at their new home, a ranch house on fifty acres of Montana wilderness, far from New York and the life Dominic had left behind. As they danced under string lights, Marco sleeping peacefully inside, Sarah marveled at how much had changed.
«Any regrets?» she asked against Dominic’s chest.
«Not one.» He pulled back to look at her. «Though I should warn you, Luca got a concerning call today.»
Sarah’s stomach dropped. «The families? Found us?»
Dominic’s jaw tightened. «Nothing threatening. Just checking in, making sure we’re really out.»
«And are we?»
«We are.» He kissed her forehead. «I made my position clear. I’m done. The Santoro family belongs to Marco now. My cousin Marco, I mean. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with the Council of Families. Who, by the way, officially sanctioned my retirement.»
«Because of me.» Sarah understood.
«Because I’m sacred to them. Because you saved the Santoro heir when no one else could. Because you proved that love is stronger than power.» Dominic smiled. «The old families respect that. They won’t touch us.»
As if on cue, headlights appeared at the end of their long driveway. Sarah tensed, but Dominic squeezed her hand reassuringly. A single car pulled up, and a man in his sixties stepped out, well-dressed, carrying himself with authority.
«Don Calabresi.» Dominic greeted him with careful respect. «This is unexpected.»
«Relax, Santoro.» The older man smiled warmly. «I come as a friend, not a threat. The families wanted someone to deliver this officially.»
He handed Dominic an envelope sealed with wax.
«Your retirement papers. Signed by all five families. You’re free. Truly free.»
Dominic opened it, Sarah reading over his shoulder. It was a formal document releasing Dominic from all obligations to the Santoro family and the wider organization.
«Thank you,» Dominic said quietly.
«Don’t thank me. Thank your wife.» Don Calabresi nodded to Sarah. «What she did for your son. That kind of love. That kind of sacrifice. It reminded us all why we have these traditions. Why we protect women and children above all else. She earned your freedom, Santoro. Both of yours.»
He tipped his hat and left as quickly as he’d arrived.
Sarah and Dominic stood in the driveway long after the taillights disappeared, the document still clutched in his hand.
«It’s really over,» Sarah whispered.
«It’s really over.» Dominic pulled her close. «New life. New beginning. Just us. And Marco.»
«And Marco.» He smiled. «And maybe, someday, a little brother or sister for him?»
Sarah’s hand went to her stomach, where their secret was still too new to be visible. «Maybe sooner than you think.»
Dominic’s eyes widened. «Are you?»
«Three weeks along. I wanted to tell you after the wedding.» She bit her lip nervously. «Is that okay?»
His answer was to sweep her into his arms and spin her around, laughing with pure joy. When he set her down, both of them were crying happy tears.
«More than okay. Sarah, you’ve given me everything. A reason to live. A reason to love. A future worth having.»
«You gave me that, too.» She kissed him softly. «You and Marco. You saved me when I thought I couldn’t be saved.»
They stood in the Montana darkness, the stars brilliant overhead, with their past behind them and their future stretching ahead—bright and full of possibility. Inside, Marco let out a small cry. They broke apart with matching smiles.
Parents now. Partners. Lovers. Friends.
«He’s hungry,» Sarah said.
«Then let’s go feed our son.» Dominic took her hand. «Together. The way it should be.»
As they walked inside, Sarah looked back once at the driveway where the Don had delivered their freedom. At the dark trees beyond that hid nothing more dangerous than wildlife. At the stars that witnessed their happy ending.
She’d walked into a storm six months ago on that airplane. She’d found the most dangerous man in America and fed his child. And somehow, impossibly, miraculously, she’d found her home. Not in a place, but in a person. In a man who’d given up an empire for love. In a baby who’d needed her as much as she’d needed him. In a family built not on blood or tradition, but on choice.
Sarah Mitchell had finally found where she belonged, and she was never letting go.
