We spent our first anniversary at home because Anna was still small and the last few months had been tiring. But Zita had prepared a three-course dinner for us and took over watching Anna while Dante and I enjoyed our meal. We sat close beside each other and talked about Anna and our plans to spend a few weeks in Tuscany in summer.

It was a relaxed, intimate evening. I was actually glad that we hadn’t gone out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. When we were in public, Dante always had to keep up his mask. He wasn’t the same man then that he was when we were alone. His outside appearance reminded me too much of the withdrawn man of the beginning of our marriage. I preferred his warmer, more approachable private side, one he hid so carefully and only showed to the people he trusted.

“I really love this,” I said after I finished a delicious piece of fig tart tatin, a fancy French dessert that tasted like heaven.

Dante tilted his head with a small smile. “The dessert or your gift?”

I laughed, twisting my arm around to see the emeralds in my bracelet catch the candlelight. “Both. But I was actually referring to our celebration.”

Dante ran his thumb over my knuckles, obviously surprised. “I thought you might expect a bigger celebration for the occasion.”

“No,” I said firmly. “I think this is a concept for the future even when Anna is older and won’t need us close by. I like that it’s just us, no prying eyes.”

Understanding took over Dante’s expression and he pressed a kiss to my hand. “I have to admit I prefer not to share the stunning sight of you in this dress.”

A pleased smile broke free on my face. I leaned toward him. “Are you turning into a flatterer?”

“No, flattering, only the honest truth,” he said in a low voice and a look in his eyes I could feel right between my legs.

I swallowed. “Well, I don’t like to share you with all the gawking women either.”

Dante chuckled. “Now you exaggerate.”

I gave him a look. “I have eyes and so have you. Power and money are the embodiment of sex-appeal, and you combine them with a six-pack. It’s ridiculous.”

Dante stood, holding out his hand in a silent command. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve had too much to drink. Let’s get you to bed.”

I pushed to my feet with a teasing smile. “I’m not tired.” It was a lie, of course. Anna had kept us awake the last few nights.

Dante pressed a hot kiss to my throat. “You won’t sleep.”

His fingers linked with mine as he led me upstairs.

I’d never grow tired of Dante’s body on top of mine, of him making love to me. Those were the moments I felt the most connected to him and could sense how much he wanted to tell me but couldn’t.

Afterward, we headed into Anna’s nursery. Zita had trouble calming her, and I just wanted to be with my little girl. I cradled her to my chest, kissing her chubby cheeks. Dante watched with a tender expression I’d never grow tired of seeing.

I pressed a kiss to Anna’s forehead. I just couldn’t stop loving on her.

“I love you,” Dante said quietly, almost hesitantly.

I smiled. “Do you hear, Anna? Your daddy loves you.”

Dante touched my cheek, bringing my attention to him and shook his head. “That’s not what I meant, even if it’s true. I love you, Val.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, staring at him in a state of shock. I’d made my peace with the fact that Dante couldn’t say the words. It had hurt occasionally but this was something I couldn’t demand.

Regret showed on Dante’s face as he leaned down, his gaze penetrating mine almost desperately. “Haven’t you known? I tried to show it. I obviously didn’t do a good job.”

I tried to get a grip on myself, swallowing hard. “No. You showed your feelings and I gathered that you loved me, but hearing the actual words…” A few embarrassing tears slid down my cheeks. Anna blinked sleepily up at us.

Dante looked like I’d mortally wounded him. He cupped my head and pulled me in for a harsh kiss. “I promise to tell you often from now on. But even if I don’t always voice my emotions aloud, you must know that I love Anna and you more than anything else. You are my future.”

“And your present,” I said with a small teasing smile.

“My everything,” he rasped, and I couldn’t imagine ever being happier than in this moment.

About three years later

I rubbed my temples, trying to ignore the hints of a headache throbbing at the back of my head. Since I’d declared war on the Famiglia a few months ago after Liliana ran off with Luca’s soldier Romero and they killed one of my men, I hadn’t slept more than a few hours per night. I wanted to be a father to Anna who seemed to grow every day but for me to have time for my little girl during the day I needed to work at night.

Soon I’d have another child to take care of, not to mention that Valentina needed my support raising two small kids. I didn’t have any illusions about our future relationship with the Famiglia. After everything that had happened, peace was out of the question. This war would soon become bloodier and more brutal, and I needed to make sure that my family was safe.

My phone flashed with a message from Enzo. I scanned it quickly and stilled, then read it once more.

I think Aria’s in town. She’s in the restaurant.

A few seconds later a photo followed. It was taken from a bad angle and obviously half hidden but I recognized Aria’s face at once. Even her dark wig couldn’t distract from her extraordinary facial features.

“What’s the matter?” Rocco asked carefully.

I considered what to tell him. Aria was his daughter and her appearance here in Chicago in a time of war was a major shock. She was Luca’s weakness, his absolutely greatest weakness.

Should I grab her? She and Val were in the restroom together. Val’s back out but I think they might meet again.

Why had Aria contacted Val? And more importantly, would Val tell me? I really hoped she would. She was my wife. Her loyalty should be for me, not for her cousin, no matter how close they’d been.

YES

I lifted my gaze to Rocco. He was frowning at me, worried. He never talked about his daughters anymore. They were dead to him. It was difficult for me to understand. I couldn’t imagine ever hating Anna like he seemed to despise his daughters. Of course, Anna would be bound by certain rules like all of us were and I hoped she wouldn’t break them, wouldn’t put me in a position that I’d have to force her to bow to them.

Rocco was my Consigliere and he was still Aria’s father. Keeping her appearance from him could cause an uproar if word got out after all. I wasn’t sure what Aria was planning, so it wasn’t unlikely that she’d draw unwanted attention to herself very quickly. Her face was too well known in Chicago. “Enzo just told me about a possible sighting of Aria in Chicago.”

Rocco stiffened in his chair, his eyes widening. “Luca would never allow her to leave his territory.”

“True,” I said. Luca was very controlling when it came to his wife, and every other aspect of his life as well. “I think she might have acted on her own.”