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“Yeah, that’s something I definitely avoid.” I cover her hand. “But we can watch one at home.”
“Home,” she repeats, looking up. “How can you be sure so sure about us?”
“Because the thing inside me matches up perfectly with the thing inside you.” The afternoon sun filters through the leaves above us, and I turn so we face one another. “You are my person. It’s you or no one else.” Her emerald eyes search for something deep within me as uncertainty lurks beneath her confused expression. “You know what we are. And what we can become.”
“My mom spent most of my childhood reciting the ills of the Mafia. She railed against it like it was a religion and told us never to fall prey to promises of glamourous life.”
“According to my cousin Luna and her sources, your mother was dumped by a captain who wanted to marry up the ladder.”
“Really?” She twists her hands together. “That explains a lot.”
I stand and pull her up. “Let’s walk.”
The sun dips lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park as we walk side by side. Her grip on my hand tightens, and I can feel her turmoil without looking at her face.
“Enzo,” she begins, her voice shaky, “I care about you, but I don’t know if I can handle life in the Cosa Nostra.”
“I could tell you not to worry, but that would be an insult.” Her eyes widen, and I see the surprise flicker across her face. “But know that I’ll stand between you and anyone who wants to harm you.” I can feel her tremble and move closer.
“Enzo,” she begins hesitantly, her voice wavering. “I won’t deny my feelings, but I need you to understand that I may not be able to handle the danger and uncertainty.” She clears her throat. “I’ve been in my room since I got home. The kidnapping is very difficult to process, and it may take me a while to work through it.”
Her words cut through me like a knife, but I remain quiet.
“You have become my heart,” she continues, tears welling in her eyes. “But at the same time, I’m terrified. I don’t want to live in fear of losing you or being taken again.”
I wish I could assure her that life will be peaceful, but that would be a lie. “Your fears are completely justified,” I admit, swallowing hard. “Because being with me means accepting a certain level of risk.”
A tear rolls down her cheek. “I wish I didn’t love you.”
“But you do,” I reply quietly, letting her confession fill every corner of my soul. “And I promise to never make you regret it.”
Sniffling, she laughs quietly. “Is that a gold-plated promise?”
“It’s the only kind I make.” I press my mouth to hers and taste our future. “It’s not going to be an easy life, but it will be filled with love.”
“I’m counting on it.” Burying her face in my chest, she holds me tightly. “But before I commit, we must go on at least one date.” She pulls away and looks up. “No…make that two dates.”
“You drive a hard bargain, woman.” I take her hand and think about what kind of ring I want to slide on her finger. “The christening will count as date number one.” Her nose scrunches up, and I tell myself not to smile. “Date number two…let’s see…how about a trip to the Bahamas.”
“Bahamas?” she echoes, her eyebrows arching in surprise.
“Yes. Your Vegas trip didn’t happen, so this might be a good option.”
“Atlantic City is an option…the Bahamas is a glamorous hot spot.”
“Then we should go.” I rub my hand over my jaw. “I haven’t had a vacation in at least five years. We’ll take the jet and spend a few days working on our compatibility.”
“That’s insane.”
“Maybe, but we need to have some interrupted time and talk about our future.” I trail my finger down her arm. “If we’re gonna spend our lives together, it would be a good idea to see if we’re compatible…outside the bedroom.
“Let’s not go crazy…no need to eliminate the one thing we seem to excel at.”
I pull against my chest. “Soon, we’ll have a hundred things. Her hand strokes my cheek, and I understand what having everything I want feels like for the first time in my life.
“The proof will be in the pudding.”
“That makes no sense.”
