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"No," she counters, her grip on me both firm and gentle. "You need to check on Donovan first. If it’s okay for him to travel, we’ll all go to the compound and regroup. Together."
The resolve in her eyes steadies me, grounding me when all I want is to unleash the violence roiling inside. It’s strange how she can both make me feel terrified at what it could cost me to lose her, and at the same time, tether me to the world. Make me feel stronger. Take away the emptiness. Bring light to the dark.
“You and your sister, Donovan, and a few of my men will go. But your father won't see tomorrow's sunrise if I have my way. I need to strike now."
"Which is exactly what he anticipates." Her fingers brush against the stubble on my jaw. It’s a little gesture that packs a big punch as my chest fills with emotion. “Wait. Regroup. Then go after him.”
I want to stay here in this room forever, but I can’t. Not with Giovanni still a threat to all I hold dear.
“He’ll think he won.” The idea of him gloating on how he pulled one over on me grates on me. Granted, he didn’t succeed. But still, he got way too close for comfort. And he injured Donovan. My friend. My brother.
"Let him think he's won—for now. It will give him a false sense of security which will make him vulnerable.”
There is some sense to her idea, but… “We’re talking about killing your father. Maybe you don’t want him dead.”
“He’s not my father. Maybe biologically, but he’s never been a father in the sense of the word. Me and Lucia have only been assets… or liabilities. Besides, he caused a car accident and then handed me over to Romeo. You can’t possibly think I have any feelings for him.”
I smile, my thumb gently rubbing the outline of her bottom lip. “I had to ask.”
“My father is going to feel like the king of the world for beatingIl Soldato Della Morte.”
I growl at the idea that he beat me.
“But that will be his downfall. He’ll underestimate you. I have no doubt that you could end this tonight, but your topcapois injured and it’s late. Don’t risk being blinded by your own vengeance and go after him with less mental and physical strength.”
I want to reject her theory, but then I consider the lives at stake. Not mine or my men’s, necessarily, but hers and the babies growing inside her.
"Alright. We wait," I concede, my voice a low growl tangled with the reluctance of a predator being caged.
Her eyes hold mine, and I see the reflection of a man who is more than the Soldier of Death, a man driven by vengeance alone. Now I see a man who loves and is loved in return.
"Good.” She smiles, her gaze going to my lips again. My own curve up in happiness and amusement. My little virgin likeskissing. What a fucking idiot I’ve been to deny her. I dip my head, capturing her mouth again.
When I pull away, I stare at her, my mind rewinding the weeks to the day I took her from that altar. The woman before me now is an enigma. She's not the same. Where there was once compliance, now stands defiance. Where there was fear, now is courage and determination. The transformation leaves me breathless.
"Just so I’m clear on everything… things have been a little fuzzy since I hit my head?—”
“What?” Her eyes narrow in worry and her gaze seeks a wound.
I take her wrists, kissing her hands. “Just a little bump. It’s okay. But to make sure, I want to clarify that you love me and plan to stay.”
She purses her lips at me in feigned annoyance. “Are you sure it’s a head injury and not that you’re hard-headed? I told you earlier that I planned to stay.”
I laugh. “Maybe both.” I gather her to me. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“I have no clue.”
“It means you’re going to have to marry me.”
Her smile is stunning. It’s like the sun has lit the world. “You seem to be under the impression that you can boss me around. You need to ask me.”
I laugh. “Of course.” I regret not having a ring as I kneel on one knee before her. "Elena Fiori,cara mia, will you marry me?"
"Yes.” The giddy laugh she lets out is musical. I rise, and she launches herself into my arms, her lips finding mine with a fervor that ignites every cell in my body. I feel renewed. And hard. She’s right. I don’t need to kill her father tonight. I need to love this woman. I need to show her with every touch, every kiss, that she is a part of me and that I’m nothing without her.
A knock comes on the door, and I growl at the interruption. I break away from Elena, a string of silent curses threading through my thoughts.
“Come in.”
