Page 33 of The Mobster’s Prize

“It’s for you to decide, babe. Just promise me you won’t let her pressure you into anything.”

I know she won’t. My wife knows how to hold her own when it comes to my family. She doesn’t let them walk all over her. It may be one of her sexiest traits.

“So, will you at least give me a hint to where we’re going?”

“Still talking,” I state dryly, fighting back my smirk when I see her narrowed stare drilling into the side of my face.

That’s two.

“Fine. Whatever.” She turns her attention back to her phone, thankfully, distracted by her baby registry.

By the time we’re nearing Tahoe, it’s too dark. I want her to see the bakery in the light of day. The big pink sign hanging overhead, “Pooky’s Cupcakes.” So, I make sure to take all the back roads, so the surprise isn’t spoiled.

“We’re here, babe.” I nudge my sleeping beauty. That’s another thing—since her pregnancy, she’s been exhausted. Though, my family can do that to anyone.

“The cabin?” She blinks, trying to clear the fogginess from her eyes. “I thought you said we were only going two hours away.”

“Looks like your bladder is solid after all,” I tease. She slept through nearly the entire trip, and I only had to make one stop.

She rolls her eyes again.

That’s three.

“Come on, cupcake. Time to get you to bed.”

I climb out and go around to help her down from the truck, deciding I’m going to carry her into the cabin.

“You know I’m only three months pregnant. I can still walk.”

“And risk you tripping over a branch? Not happening.”

I place her down on the porch then unlock the door.

“Ladies first.”

She steps inside, flicking the light switch on, then…

“Dag! What? When did you do this? Oh my gosh. How? It’s amazing.”

She goes inside, practically running through the cabin, checking out the new addition. I had the kitchen expanded so she could have room to cook all the cupcakes she wants. I added two new bathrooms and three more bedrooms. One for each kid we want. Then behind the main cabin, set back in the woods, is a guesthouse where my family can stay when they visit. Figured that once the baby comes, they’ll want to come and stay with us for a few days at a time.

“It’s so incredible!” She comes rushing toward me, practically jumping in my arms. I catch her up around my waist, relishing the attack of her kisses. It makes me happy seeing the joy on her face.

“I don’t know how you managed to pull this off, but it’s amazing.”

“Being a mobster comes with certain perks,” I tease. As soon as the builder found out who I worked for, it became a rush job. And his craftsmanship is impeccable.

“I love it. Thank you!”

She’s been telling me for the last year how much she’d love to live up here in Tahoe. I thought it was finally time to make that happen.

“This is our home now, baby. We’ll only go to the city when we need a break from the quiet.”

Which for me is never.

“Thank you, Dag. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t kidnapped me.”

I let out a chuckle. My little stubborn captive with the rotten attitude and those killer curves. Making all her noise. But damn, am I so fucking thankful Dario asked me to go pick up his prized horse that day, because I’m the one who ended up with the real prize.

My golden cup is filled with a lifetime of happiness, and it sits right in the left side of my chest. Pounding hard every time I look at her.