“Your inner strength never ceases to amaze me. Your compassion and big heart. Even when you found out who I really was, you didn’t run. You love without limits, Arianne. And I will spend my life trying to be worthy of you.” He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet pouch. “I didn’t have much time, so consider this a stand-in until I can get you something new.”
The world fell away as Nicco emptied out the simple band into his palm. He discarded the pouch and took my left hand in his. “Arianne Carmen Lina Capizola, you are my heart, my soul, and my future. I don’t want to do this thing called life without you.” Nicco moved the band to my ring finger. “I want you by my side, always. So will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes,” I cried as he slid the band on. “I love you.” Flinging my arms around Nicco’s neck, I threw myself at him. He caught me, his laughter and my happy tears filling the space between us.
“Sei la mia anima gemella.” He cupped the back of my neck. “The future Mrs. Arianne Marchetti.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Nicco brushed his lips over mine, sealing the moment with a kiss.
I would be his.
In heart, body, soul, and name.
Nicco pulled me to my feet, peppering my face with kisses. “I’m sorry I acted like an asshole earlier. I was just so shocked that you would do such a thing with no consideration for everything you deserve.”
“I only want you.”
“I know that now.” He took my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles, the embedded diamonds of the ring glittering in the light.
“It’s beautiful.”
“It’s a family heirloom of sorts. My Aunt Marcella, Matteo’s mom, had it. It was my nonna’s. As soon as it’s safe I’ll take you to pick something—”
“No,” I said, already feeling possessive over it. “I love it.” The fact it was a family heirloom only made it all the more special.
“You’re sure about this?”
My head almost bobbed off my neck in agreement and I smiled so hard it made my cheeks ache.
“Give me a second.” He dropped a kiss to my head and left me standing there while he went over to the kitchen. There was a bottle of champagne on ice, two glasses waiting for us.
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“I had a little help.” Nicco uncorked the bottle and poured us each a glass. I went to him, accepting a glass.
“To us.”
“To us.” I clinked my glass with his. His eyes never left my face as I took a sip of bubbly.
“You are so beautiful, amore mio.”
I held out my hand, admiring the ring. It was the last thing I had expected when I’d turned up at Antonio’s house.
“What are you thinking?” Nicco asked me.
“I’m so happy... earlier, at the house, I thought that perhaps you were having second thoughts about us.”
“It was never about not wanting you, Bambolina. I just didn’t want you to make such a big decision out of obligation. Our love isn’t a bargaining chip. Our future isn’t leverage. You are not some possession to be traded.” He spoke with such vehemence it took my breath away.
“What changed your mind?”
“My father, Enzo... you.” He took the glass from my hand and placed it down on the counter. “You own me, Arianne. I am yours, in this life and the next.”
Startling me, Nicco bent down and slid his hand under my legs, picking me up and cradling me against his chest. “What are you doing?” I shrieked, laughter spilling from my lips.
“You’ll see.”
He carried me into the bedroom, and a sweet aroma flooded my senses. “What is—” I spotted the container on the nightstand.
“Tell me that’s not what I think it is.” My stomach clenched.
“I called in a favor.” Nicco lay me down on the bed. His eyes were dark and hooded as he trailed them over my body. He looked like a man starved, and I knew the tiramisu from the Blackstone Country Club wasn’t the only thing on the menu tonight.
I woke to sounds of birds chirping. Nicco’s arm was slung possessively over my hip, his body pressed impossibly close to mine. My lips curved at the memories of the night before.
He’d proposed.
Niccolò Marchetti, mafia prince, Prince of Hearts, had gotten down on one knee and promised me forever.
I was floating on clouds so high I didn’t ever want to come down.