Page 93 of Wrong Pawn. Right Capo.

Without hesitation, I slide the ring onto her finger, get up, and lift her against me, spinning her lightly before kissing her. Our lips tangle in a deep, possessive kiss, and I almost forget we have company until Bella and Annora interrupt simultaneously.

“Surprise!”

“Y’all need to get a room.”

Elena gasps, her eyes widening as she runs to hug Bella. “Bella? I thought you said your daughter was sick—”

“Lies,” Bella snorts, waving her hand in the air. “The proposal was supposed to be a secret so I had to lie.”

They’d been seeing each other far more frequently in the past few weeks, but when Elena wanted to meet up last time, Bella had to lie.

“Thank you,” Elena smiles, and Bella returns it warmly.

I watch them hug each other, then something hits me. I’d forgotten about it.

Taking out the key from the breast pocket of my jacket, I walk up to her and gently place the key to the building in her hand.

“Your store… the one you wanted. It’s ready.”

Her breath catches, her lips quiver, and another round of tears rolls down her cheeks. She latches onto me in a fierce yet gentle hug.

With her in my arms, I whisper in her ear, “I’m saying this with all my heart, Elena. You are the only woman I will ever say this to: I love you.”

“And I love you, Adriano. Always.”

An overwhelming wave of possessiveness and protectiveness crashes over me as I splay my hand on her bump.

All mine. My girl. My baby… My family. And I will cherish them with every breath I have.

Chapter thirty-two

Elena

Two Months Later

The evening sun is gentler today, warm without being harsh. Even the movement of the water is gentle, in slow and steady waves, as if the Earth is breathing calmly. Today’s a special day, but even though I’ve spent time preparing for this, I can’t help the anxiety that is slowly slipping in as Enzo loops his arm around mine.

“I’m happy for you, Elena.” He tucks a loose strand of hair from my face. “I never got to see my daughter get married, but seeing you… like this. It fills a space that I didn’t know was still empty. Thank you.”

My heart skips a beat when he pulls me in for a hug.

“Thank you, Enzo, for being the father I never had.”

He smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he pulls back to place a soft kiss on my cheek.

“Let’s go meet your groom before he murders me for keeping you from him.”

My sandals crunch against the warm sand as I walk down the aisle, my arm looped in Enzo’s. The nerves return but soon disappear when I see him at the other end of the path.

Adriano. My… husband.

He’s dressed in a fitted black tuxedo, looking like a… a god. From this spot, I can’t clearly see his eyes, but I know they’re focused on me. I feel it.

I exhale gently, letting my eyes drift to the small, intimate crowd by my side. Bella and Annora, my bridesmaids, look radiant in their lavender dresses as they dramatically dab their eyes. Dominic, Bella’s husband, is seated in the front.

On the other side of the aisle, members from my core team at Elané smile at me, including Maya Hart. A few of Adriano’s reconnected business associates sit quietly nearby.

And on an empty chair, there’s a cluster of expensive bouquets. The mayor’s wife had sent them. She’d sent some batches when she heard about the engagement, both as a congratulatory and apologetic gesture for the chaos her husband and his illegitimate son had wrought.