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As time passed, Steph’s morning spankings became weekly, then Marco announced it would be incumbent upon her to confess when she felt the need for discipline. Though he always knew when the time had come, he’d wait for her to present herself. If she took too long, he’d add extra punishment for delaying the inevitable.
Marco discovered Antonio’s assessment of his daughter had been accurate. She possessed an uncanny aptitude for reading both people and situations. With the holidays drawing near, social events were abundant, and though Steph was always bubbly and personable, on their way home she would surprise Marco with her observations. He quickly realized Steph could be an invaluable member of the organization—incognito. In the male-dominated world, she would be his secret weapon.
Their relationship had to be cemented.
Instructing Joe and Benny to take the night off, he surprised Steph with a trip to the wine cellar. As he closed and bolted the door behind them, she found the tasting table spread with quiche bites, caviar, smoked salmon with dill and sour cream, and dark chocolate cake. Champagne flutes were half filled, with the bottle in an ice bucket, and propped up against it was a manila envelope.
“Marco! This is the same delicious feast we had that night you blindfolded me in bed,” she exclaimed as she moved across the room.
“I’m pleased you remember.”
“I remember everything.”
“I’m sure you do,” he retorted with a grin as she sat down. “The envelope is for you.”
“May I open it?”
“Wow, you asked,” he said with a chuckle. “What was that classic cigarette ad? You’ve come a long way, baby.”
“Very funny!”
“But true, and yes, you may.”
Taking his seat, he watched her expression as she lifted the flap and pulled out a photograph.
Her eyes grew wide.
It was the tree at the lodge where he’d found her. Carved into the trunk a large heart bore their names, and a cherub hovered above with his bow and arrow.
“Marco…” she whispered, her eyes darting up at him. “I can’t believe it. When did you do this?”
“I drove the artist up the day I sent you off to the spa.”
“That’s why you insisted I go.”
“With the snowstorm coming in, I had to get it done.”
“I don’t know what to say. This is so romantic. Marco, thank you. It’s incredible.”
“It’s forever,” he murmured, leaning across the table. “If you want it to be. Do you?”
“I’ve wanted forever with you since that first day you came to my house with your dad.”
“Steph, I don’t say this often enough,” he began solemnly, “but never doubt how much I love you.”
“Marco…”
“Here’s to us, forever,” he murmured, lifting his glass.
“To us, forever,” she whispered.
* * *
Steph thought he’d pull a ring from his pocket after they drank the bubbly toast, but he dipped a sliver of toast into the caviar and fed it to her. Reminding herself of his habitual unpredictability, she gobbled it down, then reached for the smoked salmon. Enjoying the spontaneous, romantic picnic, they chatted and laughed about those first few days together, then abruptly rising to his feet, he reached for her hand.
“Come with me. There’s something I want to show you.”
Leading her around a corner to the back of the large cellar, he stopped in front of a tall rack and reached behind it. She heard a creak, and the seemingly solid wall slid away.
