Ruthless Monarch

That’s when I realize to think how, sometimes, Ana would say different quotes to me.

What had she said about fear?

A quote from Aristotle . . . “He who overcomes his fear will truly be free.” That was it.

Right now, I realize the truth to those words. No matter how far I have come, how amazing my life now is, I’ll never be able to move forward until I conquer my fear.

Without a second thought, I strike the match and place it in the fireplace.

It comes alive.

Breathing life into flames.

I watch as it dances before me, Matteo’s hand takes mine, and together, we feel the warmth.

The heat that no longer burns.

Matteo

Nine months later . . .

* * *

Things have calmed down since the crazy night in which I got my wife back.

Since then, I have been a tyrant. The tyrant.

I never let her out of my sight. Every now and then, she complains, but I know she secretly loves it.

She loves it when I’m a possessive ass.

The only time she’s alone is when I go to work, but soon that will change too.

Viviana spends those times with her sister. That came as a shock, but now that time has passed, it’s the most natural thing in the world for her.

Today, when I arrive home, I find her in the library. Viviana is pulling books to donate to the free library she and Julia have started.

It started off as a little project, but now, by the looks of what’s going on in the room, it’s going to take up her time.

“Hi.” She smiles up at me from the floor.

“Looks like you have your hands full.”

She laughs. It’s a beautiful laugh, one that I can, and will, spend the rest of my life listening to.

Placing the books down, she stands up and places a kiss on my lips.

“How was your day, dear?” she jokes. It’s her new favorite way to greet me, as if we were just a normal couple, and I didn’t run the mafia.

I pull her closer, deepening the kiss, and she giggles against my lips. “That good.”

“I have something to talk to you about,” I say as I pull away.

“That sounds serious.” I walk over to the couch, and she follows suit.

“It’s done.”

“What’s done?”

“I stepped down. Lorenzo is taking over for me.”

Her mouth hangs open. “What . . . are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“I am. I’m not going to stop working. I’ll run the legitimate parts of the business. This is what my father always wanted too. He just never had the opportunity because of his brother. But now that Salvatore is dead, I can live his dream.”

Viviana jumps from where she is sitting into my lap.

“I’m so happy for you.” She lets out a sigh of relief, and now I’m sure I made the right decision.

Every day that I left her these past few months, I could see the fear in her eyes. Now it’s gone.

“I have one more surprise.”

“Another? Eeep,” she squeals. “I love surprises!”

I stand from the couch and hold out my hand for her to take.

Now, together, we walk out of the library. I lead her to the foyer.

That’s where Julia and Jonathan are waiting with the surprise.

When she turns the corner, a gasp leaves her mouth.

It was a long road, a long year, but all the hard work was worth it.

“Ana . . .” A sob breaks through her lips, and tears flow down her cheeks.

The woman who raised my wife stands in the doorway.

She’s still frail, and sometimes her mind gets jumbled from the years of medication, but every day, she gets a little better with the help of the best doctors in the world. A part of her once lost is restored.

“My girl, my Vivi.” The term of endearment makes my wife cry harder.

Slowly, she walks up to her, and they embrace.

They hug for a minute before we escort Viviana and the family into the den. Tonight, a dinner will be prepared to celebrate family.

Lorenzo will be joining us too, as well as Roberto. My family.

Life has changed for me over the past year, but I realize now, power is not important. Neither is money and fame.

All that matters is this . . .

Having people to cherish, people to love.

That’s when you are finally complete.