Chapter 15 The Mafia Queen

• After our tour, Riccardo asked me to stay for dinner. I accepted, and we spent the evening talking and laughing. We talked about the future and our hopes for our families.
• We talked until late in the evening, and I realized that I had completely forgotten about the time. I was about to leave when Riccardo suddenly said, “Alessia, I want you to stay. I want to keep you here with me.” I was taken aback and wasn't sure what to say.
• Riccardo continued, “I would like to protect you and keep you safe. I would like to make sure that you don't have to worry about anything ever again. I would like to give you a home and a family. Furthermore, I would like to give you a life that you deserve.”