“Will You Come Home with Us” The Mafia Boss’s Twins Asked the Rejected Florist to Come Home, but One Council Meeting Proved Who His Family Had Already Chosen

That night, the house was silent as a tomb.

The twins had fallen asleep early, exhausted by the tension of the day. Olivia sat on the windowsill of the library, looking out at the dark forest.

A shadow moved behind her. Gabriel walked in, carrying two crystal glasses and a bottle of dark amber liquor. He poured a small measure and handed one to her.

"You should leave tomorrow morning, Olivia," Gabriel said quietly, looking out at the snow.

Olivia stilled, holding the glass in her hands. "Are you throwing me out?"

Gabriel turned to face her. In the dim light of the library lamp, he looked tired. The burden of leading a vast, dangerous underworld empire weighed visibly on his shoulders.

"Tomorrow night is the High Council," Gabriel explained, his steel eyes fixing on hers. "It will not be a meeting of businessmen. It will be a bloodbath of words, threats, and political traps. Marco has turned three of my capos against me. Donatella’s father has bought off the elders. They intend to force a vote to strip my leadership if I do not submit to their terms."

"And if you don't submit?"

"Then war begins," Gabriel said simply. "And I will not have you or my daughters caught in the crossfire."

Olivia set her glass down on the wooden sill. She stood up and walked directly over to him, stopping right in front of his massive frame.

"Six days ago, I was standing in the freezing cold," Olivia said, looking up into his eyes without flinching. "People who had everything mocked me for having nothing. My own parents told me I was a failure because I couldn't keep a man who didn't love me."

She reached up, laying her soft palm gently against his hard, stubbled jaw. Gabriel flinched at the warmth of her skin, then leaned into her touch.

"Then two little girls took my hands," Olivia whispered, tears shining in her eyes. "And a man lifted my broken cart as if it were precious. You gave me back my dignity, Gabriel. You showed me what real protection feels like. I am not running away when you need someone standing beside you."

Gabriel stared at her, his breath catching.

He wrapped his massive hand over hers, holding her palm against his cheek. "You don't know what I am, Olivia. I am a monster to the world."

"You are a father who loves his children," she answered softly. "And a man who saved a dying flower."

Gabriel couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward, cupped the back of her head with his hand, and pulled her into a deep, fierce, desperate kiss.

Olivia opened her mouth to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pouring all her warmth, her hurt, and her newfound strength into the kiss. He pulled her flush against his body, lifting her slightly off her feet, groaning into her mouth as if he had been starving for this exact moment his whole life.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Gabriel rested his forehead against hers.