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Heat flushes my cheeks. His eyes are so clear, I’m drowning in them, and this time I won’t be able to— No, this time, I don’t want to save myself.
And because I know I hold power over him, I can’t help adding, "You sure you’re not saying it because you think I’m going to die?”
His breath catches, then he glares at me. "Never say that to me. There’s no life for me without you. I’m nothing without you. You’re my sun, my moon, and my stars. My complete universe. And I will never, ever let anything happen to you. I promised you, remember?"
Tears pool in my eyes, and heat spreads to my chest, my stomach, my feet, until all of me is tingling with sensation. "You take your promises seriously, don’t you?"
He nods.
"You’re a stubbornfiglio di puttana."
He chuckles. “Only you can call me a son-of-a-bitch and make it feel like you’re singing me a love song.”
I huff. “You really do love me?”
He nods. “Even before I met you. I just didn’t know it then.”
A giddy sensation spins around in my chest, my head, at my pulse-points. I’ve turned into a kaleidoscope of hope, of faith, of a trust that, finally, things will turn out all right.
He reads my thoughts because, of course he does. “It will, I promise.” He brushes his lips over mine. "I love you, baby. I’m doing this for you.For us." He plants his arms on either side of me on the bed. "This is a non-negotiation. The deal is done. I’m giving you my kidney; end of discussion."
I hold his gaze, then reach up to touch the scar on his forehead. "I really am sorry for what my brother did to you."
"No more apologizing, baby. That part of our life is over; done with. The most important thing now is your health. To get you back on your feet and fully functional. Then in my bed, with your legs spread wide open, and your tight, pink pussy ready and willing for all the things I want to do to it."
I roll my eyes. "And you were doing so well."
His smile widens. "So, it’s decided?"
70
Four weeks later
Solene
"Whoa, my feed is going crazy." I take in the likes, comments, and views that multiply by a factor of a hundred, if not a thousand, by the second. Just ten minutes ago, the post stood at a hundred thousand likes. It doubled to two hundred thousand and is gaining momentum. The comments are all positive—likeallpositive. "I’ve never seen anything like this."
I hold up my phone where I’d posted a photo of Declan and me—in identical hospital gowns, with tubes running from our noses, IVs stuck in our arms, disheveled hair, and twin expressions of happiness, sheer adoration, and love… Yeah, we’re wearing what one of my fans has called the #DecleneDelight
And then there was the #AngstyDeclene hashtag that trended when the pap who’d got a picture of Declan with a tear rolling down his cheek in the hospital cafeteria published it and the fans jumped on it and shared it all over social media.
Both are cringeworthy hashtags, but they’ve caught the imagination of my followers and his. My follower count has catapulted, as has his. We kept the news of the twin operations a complete secret, except for our closest friends. And even then, we told them not to come over, but instead, stay focused on the rescue efforts for Knight.
There was no stopping my sister Olivia, nor Declan’s brother Arpad, though.
They came over to be with us during the operation and only left a week ago… After making the two of us promise to visit London and see them very soon. The good news is, the procedure was a success, and both of us are on our way to recovery. It also means, neither of us has any other commitments, at least, for another month.
I urged him to get reconstructive surgery on the new scar on his forehead, not because it bothers me, but because I know how he feels about scars, but he refused. He insisted the audience must accept him as he is. He also shared how the wound was self-inflicted, as well as how his friends knocked him around until they knocked some sense into him—his words, not mine. I was shocked, and honestly, a bit amazed they showed up to help him, even if they were a bit violent, and he insisted it was a good thing. That it spurred him to return to my hospital room and share his feelings with me... Which is why we’re here, together.
Declan’s team of lawyers ensured the insurers cover the delay in shooting the film. The result? Even the hard-nosed financiers of the project were pacified enough to wait. The even more important result? This is the longest ever we’ve both been in one place, under one roof and in each other’s company. It’s also the happiest I’ve ever been, and the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him. Speaking of, the most handsome, most charismatic, most striking, heart-stoppingly dominant man in the world continues to stare at me without speaking.
I flush. "What?"
"Can’t I admire how gorgeous my wife to-be is?"
"So, our engagement is real after all, I take it?"
His beautiful, puffy lower lip curls. "Did you ever think otherwise?"
