“Only those words. That’s all you get.” A smile takes over his face before he buries his face in my neck, placing gentle kisses on my skin.
“And what if I want more?” I ask.
“You’ll have to earn it,” he whispers in my ear, nipping the cartilage.
He lets me go, his hands in his pocket now. His smile’s wiped from his face.
“Gio, what’s wrong?” I ask nervously.
He sighs deeply, kneeling on the ground before me. “I love you so much it hurts. I have never loved anything in life more than you. For years, I have wanted you to be mine,Donnina. I want to do this the right way.” His words strike through my chest, making my heart beat fast. “I know things still aren’t safe, but I will do everything to keep you safe.”
The man I thought was too dark inside to love, the kind whose soul is so captured by what he does, is kneeling right in front of me.
I love him too. And it does hurt, but it’s the good kind. Loving someone this much, always wanting the best for them, no matter what.
A love that is so consuming every inch of my skin begs for his touch.
He pulls a velvet box out of his pocket, opening it. “Will you marry me, Nina?”
I’m already engaged to him—what is he doing?
I look down at the ring with my mouth falling open. The ring looks like it is made of a pink star, the kind of diamond that is unbelievably rare. The band around it is black.
Gio clears his throat. “Sorry, I may have stated that as a question, but it wasn’t.” He stands up, taking my hand and slipping the ring on my finger.
I look down at it, my hands shaking. The gem is dainty, exactly how I would want my ring to be. I have never been the kind of girl to want some huge and glamorous ring to flaunt, but somehow Gio’s made it look subtle.
He tilts my chin up, making me look him in the eye.
“Yes.” I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling his lips close to mine.
He pulls his lips off mine, cupping my face with both his hands. “Forever mine.”
“Forever yours.”
“When we get home, I am throwing your fucking pills away. So if you ever decide torun, you will always have a little reminder of me running around.” He laughs, kissing me softly. “Not that you would run.” He tilts his head sideways.
“You want to have kids?” is the only question running through my head. I will never run from him, and he knows that. But I do understand why he is telling me.
I have a feeling this is what every man in his profession says to their soon-to-be wife.
“I do,molti di loro.”
“I don’t understand you,” I say, frustration building inside. I want to be with him, but I could do without the language barrier. He needs to stop using it against me.
“I want many of them, my love.” He kisses my forehead, my cheek, my nose, and my lips. “You will be a great mother. Hopefully not as crazy as your mama though.” He laughs, and I do too. “Now, let’s go celebrate, no?”
I nod, grabbing onto his arm. I never thought in a million years that defying my father would bring me the greatest joy in my life.
And never in a million years did I think that the greatest joy in my life would be Giovanni Genovese.
“Mrs. Genovese,” he says, holding the door open for me. I smile softly, but somehow it feels like the smile is taking over my entire face.
I stand on my toes, kissing him quickly. “I love you.”
“Anche io ti amo, Donnina.”
EPILOGUE