Free Secrets & Surrender 3 by L.G. Castillo Page A

this.”
    My eyes widened as Nic’s mother came to my side, placing an arm around me. Each word that came out of her mouth was like a bullet. “You will accept Mandi and her family into ours. You will accept Nic and his wishes to attend SWT with Mandi. And you’ll cover all the expenses they’ve incurred because we were too blind to see that Mandi is good for him.”
    “Victoria, I—”
    “I’m not finished,” she growled. “You will apologize to the Ruiz family or so help me you’ll soon have five inches of Armani stiletto where the sun doesn’t shine.
    “You were wrong about them and so was I. Nic saw them for the kind, gentle, and hard-working family they are. He fell in love with a beautiful, promising, and intelligent young lady, who, even after all we’ve put her through, is still by his side.” She squeezed my shoulders. “Can’t you see how different Dominic has been since he’s met her? So caring, so unselfish, so willing to sacrifice his happiness for the sake of others.”
    She let out a sob and turned me to face her. “Forgive me for not seeing this until it was almost too late. It was you, dear. You brought out the best in him, and I was too blind, too selfish to see what you’ve done for him. I made a mistake. I thought I knew what was best for him. And for that I am truly sorry. I’m sorry for everything I did to hurt you and your family.”
    Gazing into glistening eyes, I studied her carefully, wondering if this wasn’t some trick. The haughty expression that I was used to seeing was gone. All I saw was a mother desperate to make amends for her mistakes. And as her soft hands cupped my cheeks, showering me with gratitude, I felt a weight being lifted. I felt accepted.
    “Thank you,” I whispered.
    Keeping an arm around me, she whirled back to Mr. Marcelli. “So what’s your answer, Frank? Do you want a family by your side when you run for governor or will you be standing alone?”
    His jaw tensed as he looked from me to Nic and then back to his wife. “Fine. I’ll take care of everything. Ms. Ruiz, all I ask is please give me a heads up if there are any family additions. I don’t want any surprises.” Then he turned and walked out the door before I could tell him that I already had a list of names ready and ask if he wanted me to fax them to his office.
    “I’m sorry, dear. I think that’s the closest to an apology you’re going get from that man,” Mrs. Marcelli said.
    “I...uh...wow. I wasn’t expecting him to give in so easily.” I thought it was going to be much harder. I had been pumped to fight both Nic’s mother and father for at least a decade.
    “Mandi, please believe me when I say I’m truly sorry, and I hope that someday we may even grow to be friends.”
    I nodded, stunned. This couldn’t be real. I mean, I get the apology, but now she wanted to be friends. This was just too crazy.
    That’s it! I was crazy. I was just imaging all of this. I was probably locked up in some padded room, rocking back and forth in restraints or having a drug-induced hallucination.
    “Mandi?”
    “Nic,” I sobbed as hazel eyes looked at me.
    “Oh, my son,” his mother cried as we rushed to his side.
    “Mother, you’re crying,” his hoarse voice whispered in disbelief.
    “That’s what mothers do when they’re relieved that their baby is going to be alright.”
    “I like it.” He lifted his hand, reaching out to brush the tears from her cheek.
    “Oh, my baby!” she sobbed, planting kisses all over his face.
    “Mother...Mom.” He ran his fingers through her hair with a smile that lit up his entire face.
    Then he winced, letting out a small groan.
    “I’ll get a nurse,” I said.
    “Let me.” Mrs. Marcelli kissed his cheek. “I’m sure you two want to be alone for a few minutes.”
    The moment she was out the door, I bent over Nic, gently pressing my lips to his. Slowly, I slid my tongue over the seam of his lips, sucking on his lower lip. I grabbed onto his