Page 129 of Humility

“You can’t do this. Let me out of here,” Jacopo said, slowly moving around the cell to keep distance between him and the predator. Its nose lifted in the air, and I wondered if it could smell his fear as easily as the blood running down his body.

“My Tiger will have justice,” I said.

Jacopo ran for the open door where the tiger had emerged. He didn’t make two strides before the cat leaped and tackled him to the ground. The screaming was loud and echoed off the walls as fangs sank into the meaty flesh of his leg. Like something from a horror movie, the tiger dragged Jacopo across the floor. He thrashed wildly and kicked as it slowly hauled him into the dark.

“Please,” he cried out, his eyes meeting mine as his fingers clung to the lip of a stone in the floor.

With a horrific scream, he was pulled beyond the light, and I shuddered at the sound of bone crunching.

Giovanni once more waved to the guard, and he hit a switch to close the door and cut off the sound of Jacopo being torn apart. We all stared silently at the empty cage and the bloodstain on the floor.

Turning to Giovanni, I gripped his shoulder. “He knocked on the Devil’s door one too many times. It was inevitable that he would be let in sooner or later.”

“You have what it takes to be a Don, Angelo. You might even have what is needed to be the Don of Dons.”

Nodding, I let go of his shoulder, and with Dario and Enzo at my side, we marched toward the beginning of our new life.

Epilogue

JASMINE

I stood on the balcony and stared out at the water. There was no better place for our wedding. It was time to return to the villa where it all started for Angelo, Dario, and me. We had Enzo now, but this place held the most meaning for me, and I had always loved the view.

“Is everything okay?” I turned and smiled at the sound of my papa’s voice.

“Couldn’t be better, just needed to cool off.”

I smiled wide as he handed me a tall glass of water, and I was tempted to pour it over my head. One thing not advertised when purchasing a wedding dress was how hot they were.

“When do you leave to go back to Beastville?”

“After the honeymoon, but I want you to visit as soon as we are back. I want you to try Athena’s Palate, and I’m so excited to show you what I’m working on.”

Papa leaned on the balcony beside me. “It will be strange not having you here every day. I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

“We’ll be back. I’ve already told Angelo I want to come home every other month, and he seems to like the idea. This will always be my home.” I touched his hand and felt compelled to tell him the truth about my relationship. “Papa, I have a confession to make,” I said, sipping the water.

“Oh? You didn’t really like the cake?”

My lip curled up at the joke. For whatever reason, the cake had turned into an adventure all of its own and caused arguments that turned so heated you would’ve thought we were talking about a pressing topic in the world.

“No. I married Angelo, and we love one another, but…um….” How did you tell your father that you were sleeping with three men? I had no idea.

He reached out and placed his hand on mine as I continued to stumble over the right words. “It’s okay. I know about Dario and Enzo. I also know that I will have to keep it quiet.” He nodded toward the ballroom. “Angelo told me, but I picked up on the vibes. I’m not so old or blind, you know?”

My cheeks warmed further, and dumping the water over my head sounded better by the second.

“And you don’t care? I’m sure it is not what you pictured for me?”

“Do they make you happy,” he asked, and I smiled wide.

“Very. Each is like a puzzle piece, and together, we fit perfectly,” I said.

“Then I’m happy for you, and I know your mother would be happy too. All she ever wanted was for you to have the kind of love she and I shared. She would say, ‘Sergio, make sure our daughter finds her soulmate. Money, power, and pretty places don’t mean anything without the one you love by your side.’ ”

Taking him by surprise, I wrapped him up in a hug. “I miss her so much,” I mumbled, fighting back the tears for the hundredth time today.

“I miss her too, mia Bambolina. You’re not little anymore. You’re all grown up.” He pulled back and wiped off the tear on his cheek. “I wish she was here to see this, to see you on your special day. She would’ve loved everything you’ve chosen.”