Page 52 of Sicilian Savior

“Right.” Knox chuckled. “When he’s old enough, I meant. But you know, that kinda stuff. I know I’ll never be his dad, but I want to be part of his life. As long as you want me there.”

“You’re going to teach him so much. Undo all the terrible things he’s learned about men in his life. I know you’re going to show him how to treat a woman well and how to be a good man that helps others in need.”

“I want that.” He rocked me back and forth, resting his chin on my head. “I really do want that.”

“Me too,” I sighed. The vision of Knox and me with a smiling Luca between us warmed me up like the campfire I imagined us sitting beside.

“You know,” Knox said. “I had a thought.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“Well, I know I said I hate B.F.E. and couldn’t wait to get out of there, but that was before I knew you were in it. What if we stay there, and I rip down my uncle’s one-bedroom cabin and build a house with enough bedrooms for all of us? Then, you two can move out of that moldy dump and in with me.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really. Huge kitchen for you to cook in. Big game room downstairs with a giant TV for me and Luca to battle it out. Living room with a fireplace.”

“You really want to move in with us? Are you sure?”

Knox sighed and rocked me some more. “Yes. I’m sure. I spent so many years not making plans other than what I needed to get through a mission, because in my line of work, you could be gone any day. But now, for the first time in my life, I’m over here making plans. And every plan I make includes you. So, yeah. I want to move in together. I know it’s fast, but it just makes sense to me. You know? I want to give you everything. You’re such a strong woman, Lucia. You’ve been through a lot, and you deserve everything the world can give you. And I intend to be the man that makes sure it happens.”

“And you deserve everything too. You’ve sacrificed so much to save others. It’s your turn to rest and relax. And eat lots and lots of Italian food.”

“Oh, hell yeah. I want all the food.”

“Then you’ll have it.”

He slid an arm around my shoulder, and we started walking again.

“This is so crazy,” he said. “How in the hell did I get so lucky to get you in my life?”

“Lucky?” I snorted. “Um, because of me, you’ve had to fly across the world to put your life at risk to go up against my ex-husband and save my son.”

“Ack.” He waved a hand in the air. “Minor inconveniences.”

“Minor? You’ve already had to kill people.”

“You’re worth it, Lucia. And I’d kill a million people if that’s what it meant to keep you safe. I’d do anything for you. I’d die for you.”

“And what if you do?” I softly said. “What if you don’t make it tomorrow? I know you all seem so confident and blasé about this, but you’re infiltrating a heavily armed compound. What if something goes wrong? I’ll never be able to live with myself.”

Knox tugged me to a stop again, wiping the tear that slipped out of my eye.

“Hey. Don’t go losing your confidence in me now. There’s a reason we’re so blasé about this, and it’s because we’re really fucking good at what we do. We’re coming out of there alive, and we’re coming out with Luca.”

“But you were captured once before. What if that happens again?”

“Then, I endure whatever they throw at me until my team gets me out. And they would. But I’m not going to let that happen. I have a reason to get my ass back out over that wall, and I’m looking at her.”

“You’ve just been through so much, and I don’t want you getting hurt for me.”

“You’re the opposite of hurting me. In fact, you’re healing me. Those nightmares I’d had every night since I’d been captured? They stopped that first night I slept with you in my arms. And I know that they won’t come back as long as I have you. You chase away the bad, Lucia. And now it’s my turn to chase away your nightmares. Your living, breathing nightmares. Trust me to take away the nightmare in your life and get Victor out of it for good. Trust me to bring your son home. Trust me to come back to you. I’ll always come back to you. Do you trust me?”

I nodded. “I do. Of course I do.”

“Then don’t worry. I’m coming back to you, baby. And I’m coming back with your son.”

I threw my arms around his neck. He lifted me off the ground to bring my lips to his. I melted into his kiss.