Carrying the Don's Child,My Ex-Fiancé Begs on His Knees

Then, outside the Montecarlo estate gates, I ran into Dominic Valenti.

He was helping Carmela out of a black town car, one hand on the door frame, the other steadying her elbow like she might shatter on the pavement.

His gaze was indulgent, almost tender. "Got you here in one piece. Happy now?"

Carmela laughed, sweet as spun sugar. "No one treats me better than you, fratello."

"But didn't you have plans with Serafina today? It's all my fault for being so nervous and insisting you drive me to the estate yourself. She won't be upset with me, will she?"

Dominic waved it off. "Don't worry about that. Your business comes first."

I remembered this day from my past life. Dominic and I had made plans to go out on the water, just the two of us, at the marina the Valentis kept off the old harbor road.

He'd told me something urgent had come up with the Crimson Crew.

I'd waited at the marina all day, watching the water until the sun went down.

So his urgent crew business had been escorting Carmela to the Montecarlo estate.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Dominic seemed to sense something and turned toward where I stood.

His eyes widened. "Serafina?"

I didn't answer.

His expression froze.

He walked toward me. The two Valenti soldiers flanking the town car straightened but stayed where they were.

"What are you doing here? Did you get the invitation I sent?"

When I said nothing, he kept talking, filling the silence himself.

He'd already decided what this was.

"You must have received it. And then found out where I'd be, so you dressed up and came here on purpose."

"I had a bottle of that Barolo set aside at Pinecrest. The '96. I was going to open it with you at the marina."

"Since you're already here, that saves me a trip to the Corsetti house."

The Barolo...

My mind drifted for a moment.

I remembered being a little girl, mistaking the wine for grape juice and drinking half a glass before anyone caught me.

I'd slept for three days straight. The memory pulled a faint smile from me despite everything.

Dominic's expression softened. He reached for my hand. "I knew it. I knew you'd like that."

"Serafina, you've given me the cold shoulder long enough. Whatever anger you had, surely it's passed by now."

"Let's go back to the way things were. In a few days, I'll talk to the Commission, have them set a proper date, and I'll marry you. The right way."

My smile didn't waver. I listened quietly until he finished.

Then I pulled my hand free. "I'm a candidate in the alliance selection. You are an outside man, Underboss. This kind of contact is improper."

Dominic went still.

He stared at me in disbelief. "What did you just say?"