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Sitting on the edge of the bed, he opened the box to reveal a stunning, elegant ring. It was a princess-cut ruby surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds. The ring wasn’t hideously enormous like you’d expect from a man of wealth, but I was willing to bet this extravagant piece cost more than I made in a year.
Tears burned my eyes as I glanced from the ring to Romero, who waited expectantly. The nervous tick of his jaw was adorable, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my face.
“Are you serious?” I asked, certain I was dreaming. Except there was far too much pain for it to be a dream. The rush of emotions swirling through me was almost too much to take.
He looked down at the box as though suddenly unsure if I liked what was inside. “You don’t like it?” Truthfully, he knew exactly what I liked, having bought a ruby necklace for my sixteenth birthday. It was broken or stolen by Todd, so I doubt I’d ever see it again. But it was never about the jewelry. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I’d hear those words from this man. The man who befriended me and gave me the tools I needed to stand on my own two feet in this twisted, toxic world. I laid my hand atop his and an errant tear slipped down my cheek.
“It’s stunning,” I said.
Romero lifted a hand, brushing away my tear. “I know this is unconventional, but the second you left, I felt like I was going insane. You’ve consumed my thoughts for years. When you were younger, it was only because I saw so much of myself in you. I wanted to give you the best life. After your mother died, I just wanted to make sure you were safe, but that you got the space you needed. I don’t think you’ve ever really been a child.” He smirked, and I laughed. “But when you returned as a woman, I was forced to confront that reality. You matured so much and that night…” He cleared his throat, seeming to not want to mention exactly which night, but I knew. The night I got on my knees in front of him and his friends, determined to fight for what I needed.
“I allowed my mind to consider the possibility…”
I nodded, knowing that our situation was far from easy. We would always get odd looks. From the outside, people would probably assume he groomed me to be his lover, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Romero had equipped me to fight and not to take shit from anyone. Including him.
He continued. “This life, it’s not always the safest or best for us…or for…a family, if we wanted one. But there is no one else I’d rather have as my queen. Whatever is left of Morgan’s regime, I swear we’ll tear it to the ground.”
Slowly, I nodded. Something within his words had made it all click. I fit in his world better than I ever wanted to admit. But at his side, we’d destroy anyone that tried to tear us apart.
His smile was radiant, then his mouth was on mine. Our kisses were each more intoxicating than the last.
When we came up for air, I said, “I want you forever, Romero.”
“No matter what kind of wedding you decide on, whether I marry you alone on a beach somewhere, or whether we invite every citizen of Los Angeles to witness the greatest love story on this earth, I will make you my wife. To rule by my side and make me the happiest man to ever live.”
I grinned. “That was not even remotely a question,” I teased. “But yes. A million times, yes.”
His smile spread wide and blinding with its beauty. My eyes pricked with tears as he slid the jewel onto my hand, then he pulled me to my feet.
Pecking a kiss to the top of my head, he held me against him for several moments. With a sigh, he said, “The sun’s beginning to rise. We need to get going.”
I nodded, reluctant to pull away. But as I stuffed my meager belongings into the suitcase I bought, I kept getting distracted by the glittering addition to my finger and smiling like an idiot.
Romero did the majority of the packing, having it all loaded up within ten minutes. Before I could fully register what was happening, we were seated in a black SUV and heading out of the city.
Less than an hour later we boarded a plane where Darren met us, wrapping me into a tight hug. Then we were soaring back toward the West Coast. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few weeks begin to fall away. While Darren reinspected my wounds—per Romero’s request—the fear I’d harbored for months finally eased.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
JULIETTA
The air was muggy when we stepped off the plane, morning light just beginning to soak the city. Though it was far warmer than the northern climate I had suffered for the past month, it didn’t smell as clean here.
Romero ushered me toward a waiting car outside the private jet bay. Aaron leaned against the driver’s side door, a baseball cap pulled low. With his head angled toward the ground, he was the picture of ease, but when he lifted his gaze to meet mine I could see the hard edges of his features, eyes carved of dark onyx.
Without a word, we climbed into the back seat, Darren in the front beside Aaron. The silence didn’t last long, however.
“The other three are behind us to make sure you aren’t being followed.” Aaron’s voice was hoarse. Like he’d been screaming at someone.
Romero nodded; his fingers entwined with mine gave a light squeeze. Part of me had thought that with Morgan dead, this was all finally over. But it was clear the threat still existed.
“Is his second back in California now, too?” Romero asked.
I vaguely wondered who his second was, but images of Morgan’s blood streaking in vicious stripes from his neck clouded my mind. When Romero placed a knuckle under my chin, turning my face toward his, I realized I was shaking.
“You won’t be harmed, mi amor.” He’d spoken softly, but the edge in his tone cut like a blade. It was protectiveness. I might have smiled, but my lips wouldn’t cooperate. Instead, I nodded, believing he’d do whatever it took to keep me safe.
But that thought only made me more worried. Yes, Morgan was dead. But whatever army of criminals he’d amassed would seek vengeance for his death. And when they found out it was me—if they didn’t already know that cheery fact—it would be my blood they thirsted for.
