Page 145 of The Don's Secret Heir

“It’s okay, baby. We can come back another day?—”

“No,” I say firmly. “No, I’ve got to do this now before I chicken out.”

I slowly get out of the car and Liana follows. It’s a short walk up to the plot my family is buried in, and I find my grandmother’s grave first.

Elena Ricci-Conte

1945-2020

She’d lived a hell of a long life, right here in Sicily.

She’d wanted my parents to go to the States to have a better life, and look what happened.

My eyes move over to my father’s grave and then my mother’s, and my eyes fill with tears, blurring the names and dates.

Liana stands close to me, not touching but ready.

I take her hand.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble to the gravestones. I know they’re gone. I know they can’t hear me. But I need to say it. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the best son.”

Liana loops her arm through mine and squeezes it tight.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know how lucky I was to have you,” I continue, my voice cracking. Sobs shake my shoulders, and Liana holds me close, not speaking, just being there.

We sit down in front of the gravestones, and I keep talking.

“This is my wife, Liana. I told you about her, a long time ago. After she left, I wasn’t... I wasn’t myself. And I took it out on you. You have a grandson. He’s perfect. I wish... I wish things had been different.”

Liana lets out a sob and I move to put an arm around her.

“The last time I spoke to you, Papa, I was awful to you. I know you were just worried about me. I wish...” My voice breaks. “I wish I’d understood how much you loved me. I wish you’d known how much I loved you. Both of you.”

Liana and I sit there for a long time, until dusk comes and the sky turns pink and purple.

Finally, I stand up, tugging her with me. My legs have practically gone to sleep so I have to walk around a bit before getting into the car.

We head back to the hotel in silence, and when we’re back in bed together, we make love, unhurried and intimate.

I look into her eyes while I enter her. I love it when the sex is rough and dirty, but I love it just as much when it’s like this. When I can see her face, see how much she loves me in those gray eyes.

“I love you, Liana Conte,” I murmur against her mouth, and I feel her smile.

“I love you, Dario Conte.”

The honeymoon lasts another week, but I think that was my favorite day, spending time with Sonny at the beach, visiting my parents, and then making love to my wife.

Sonny and I both sleep all the way back home on the flight, and Liana teases us both for it.

“I can’t believe you didn’t know he was yours that first night, when he nearly slept through everything.”

I chuckle, yawning as I step off the jet. Sonny tiredly makes his way to my car, which is parked nearby, buckling himself in his seat in the back as I unlock the door with the fob.

When we arrive at home, he goes right up to bed, clearly exhausted. Liana takes my hand.

“You still look tired.”

“Jet lag is a bitch.”