*Elio*
The party was in just a couple of hours. I was ready to leave it all behind, but my heart ached just a little as I mourned the loss of my old identity.
Being the Don used to be my whole life. The mafia was my entire world. Anything outside of the mafia life never used to feel like it’d be enough for . The thrill, the adrenaline rush of a high-speed car chase was what I lived for, and the danger of it all.
Now I’d be a real estate developer, a father, a husband. I’d co to terms with what my new life was to look like. What I wasn’t entirely sure of was what it would feel like.
I’d left Leo in charge of my business because I had hated all the paperwork that ca with that job and the slow pace. The hours would drag, and I rembered one day thinking four hours should’ve passed within a twenty-minute period.
Could I do this–be normal?
I hadn’t shared these feelings or worries, if you could call them that, with Cat because I didn’t want her to think I’d end up unhappy once we moved. I didn’t want her to think being her husband and a father to our beautiful daughter wouldn’t end up being enough for .
Because I knew it was going to be enough.
It had to be enough, I thought to myself as I drove on an unoccupied road. Cat was back ho getting ready for the party while Matilde watched Emilia for us.
I had told Cat that I needed to run a few errands before the party, but that was a lie. Honestly, I just wanted to take a little ti to myself to clear my head before announcing my replacent.
It wasn’t that I was unsatisfied with who would be taking my place, because I was. I was more than satisfied. In fact, I was thrilled and couldn’t be happier for him. I knew who I had wanted to choose from the beginning. It honestly wasn’t even a question. The person I had chosen deserved to be the new Don, wholeheartedly. I knew the crew would be in good hands and I wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.
Not that I would let myself worry about anything regarding the mafia, my old life, once I’d started my new one. None of it would be my problem anymore. And I supposed, I had to admit, I had felt lighter knowing that.
I would no longer spend endless nights worried about the safety of my family. I’d never have to see a knife pointed at Cat the way Junior had done to her. I wouldn’t be forced to answer a call if I was in the middle of pleasuring my wife. Everything would be a lot better, and I knew it.
I glanced at the clock on the dash, quickly realizing I only had about thirty minutes to pick up Cat and head over to the party. I pulled out my phone, sending her a quick ssage to let her know I’d be there shortly.
Once I pulled into the driveway of our ho, I suddenly saw the building differently. It didn’t look like our ho anymore, not in my eyes. It didn’t even feel like our ho anymore. That was just another sign that I was ready to move on and start over.
When Cat opened the front door, I lost all thought for a brief mont. She was stunning. I quickly jumped out of the car to greet her.
“Cat, you look gorgeous,” I complinted her, taking her hands in mine as I admired her.
“Thank you, Elio. You look quite dashing yourself,” she replied, blushing.
“I love that I still make you blush,” I teased, pressing my lips to hers.
“For you, always,” she reassured softly.
“I bet I could make you blush from other things if you give a few minutes.” I chuckled quietly, brushing her ear with my thumb.
“Oh, I know you could. But we don’t have ti for that because we both know a few minutes just isn’t enough for us,” she said confidently.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed.
If I let my hands explore her body, a few monts would turn into hours, which would make us beyond late for the party. Although, the way she was dressed, it would’ve been worth it.
I walked around to the passenger side of the car and opened it for Cat to climb inside. Once I was settled into the driver’s side, I took off without another thought.
“Are you nervous at all?” Cat asked, looking over at .
“No, not nervous,” I replied, placing my hand on her thigh.
“Do you have any type of feelings about tonight?” she asked, clearly wanting to make sure I was okay.
“Sure, maybe I am feeling a little nostalgic as I am about to give up my throne, but I’m also excited for the person I’m about to pass my crown to,” I told her.
She nodded her head. “I’m excited too.”
“I’m not having doubts, if that’s what you’re worried about, Cat. Yes, I loved being the Don, but I love my family more. To be honest, I should have put you and Emilia first long before now. I’m never going to put our daughter in jeopardy again. I promise you that, Cat,” I said, squeezing her thigh gently.
She smiled widely. “It makes really happy to hear you say that Elio. I appreciate you more than you could ever know.”
“And I appreciate you, Cat, for being such a wonderful wife and mother. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I replied, aning every word.
She leaned over and kissed my cheek. I knew I was making the right decision. And as we got closer to the party venue, I felt completely ready to announce the new Don, ready to start my new life with my loving and radiant wife, watch my sweet baby girl grow and hit all the milestones... all while being safe and away from the life that had caused us all too much trauma.
I had been getting better at stepping back and seeing the bigger picture the way Cat was always capable of doing. I still regretted that awful fight we’d had over her wanting us to get out of the mafia. If I would have seen the picture the way she had, maybe I could’ve prevented Emilia from getting kidnapped.
“We’re here!” I heard Cat’s voice break through my thoughts.
I felt grateful for the timing of our arrival. There was no point in thinking about things I couldn’t change. I knew all I should be focusing on now was creating a better life for the three of us.
After tonight, our new story began.
“Let’s go,” I said, turning to her with a smile.
I quickly jumped out of the car, rushing over to open Cat’s for her. I reached out my arm, collecting her hand in mine.
“Are you ready to see everyone?” she asked, straightening out her dress.
“I am,” I assured her.
She smiled. “After you, sir.”
We walked inside, hand in hand, overwheld by how many people had shown up to celebrate with us. Aside from the entire crew being here, I was slightly shocked by how many of my family’s faces I saw.
This may have been a celebration to welco the new Don into the family, but I also saw it as a sort of goodbye party for myself. After tonight, Cat, Emilia, and I were leaving this city for good, leaving this state. And there were no plans to co back.
This was the last ti we’d be in the sa room as most of these people. I would miss a lot of them, I realized as I looked around the room at everyone socializing and having a good ti.
“Do you want a drink?” Cat asked, tearing away from inside my head.
“I’d love one, please,” I thanked her for offering.
I watched as she disappeared into the crowd, heading for the open bar. Leo and Franky approached , welcoming to the party.
“What do you think?” Leo asked, admiring the room.
“Everything is great,” I told him.
There had only been a handful of us who’d known who I’d chosen to beco the new Don. And by the looks of things, it appeared those select few had successfully kept the secret, which I appreciated.
“I forgot to ask you what you wanted, so I just grabbed you a scotch,” Cat said, handing a small glass filled with amber liquid.
“That’s perfect. Thank you, my love.” I bent down to kiss her lips.
“Where is Mia’s cousin, Bianca?” Leo asked, scanning the room.
“Why? Are you looking for a new girlfriend?” I teased him.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe. She is beautiful.”
“Bianca’s not a part of this life. She has no idea her cousin is married to a man associated with the mafia,” Cat told him.
“Oh, shit. Yeah, I must have forgotten that,” he replied, taking a sip of his drink.
For the next couple of hours, everyone drank, ate food, talked, and laughed together. People here and there had co up to trying to get to confess who I’d chosen to replace . Unfortunately for them, I had kept my mouth shut.
As for others, they wished Cat and luck on our new adventure. So asked how Emilia was doing and why we had left her at ho instead of bringing her out to celebrate with us. I was getting slightly annoyed by all the attention and questions. As it turned out, liquor made even the private people nosy.
“It’s almost ti, baby. Are you feeling ready?” Cat whispered.
I inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly. “I’m ready.”
I turned my body to face hers. “I’m ready to step down as the Don and only carry the title of husband and father. I am ready to leave this life behind and start fresh with you and our daughter, to be a real family. I am more than ready to leave here with you tonight and feel completely and utterly free.”
Her wide eyes stared back at mine. I couldn’t tell if she was about to cry or jump with joy.
“You are such an amazing man, Elio. I love you so much,” she said before crashing her lips into mine.
I pulled her body closer to mine, adding more heat to the kiss.
“Sorry to interrupt, but you’re up!” Franky said, patting my shoulder.
The music quieted as I approached the microphone. Everyone went silent as I scanned the room full of wide eyes. They had been waiting for this mont all night, and it was finally ti for to officially step down as the Don.
“Well, I’ll get right to it,” I spoke into the microphone. “We’re all here for one thing, and that’s to welco the new Don into the family.”
Cheers and claps were heard throughout the room.
“When I made the decision to step down as Don, I knew imdiately who I’d choose to take my place. Throughout the years, this man has been there for and my family through thick and thin. Everything that has been thrown at him, he has handled with confidence and strength,” I continued.
My eyes t Cat’s, and I took a few deep breaths before continuing my speech.
“I know I will be leaving my legacy in good hands with this man,” I raised my glass in the air.
I was silent for a mont while I watched as everyone in the room raised their glasses, as well. I admired the loyalty and the good-hearted people that surrounded . They supported my decision to step down as Don and had easily put their faith into the man I had chosen before even knowing who it was. They trusted , and it was clear they already trusted who would beco the new Don by raising their glasses in unison alongside .
“I am happy to announce that my best friend, Leo, will be taking over . Give a welco to your new Don, everyone,” I said, smiling happily at Leo.
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