when he says, “I commissioned this painting and told them to write it that way because I’m hoping to make you an offer you can’t refuse.”
My hands cover my mouth in shock as my belly swirls with butterflies. “Okay…um…you do realise this is kind of morbid because this offer concept in the books basically mean death threats. I mean, Vito’s offer to the producer includes a horse head. You’re not planning to give me a horse head, are you?” My voice ratchets up to a squeaky nervous pitch that I’m pretty sure only dogs can hear.
“No horse heads.” With a laugh, Santino reaches into his pocket to pull out a blue velvet box. “Just this.”
He opens it to reveal the most stunning, sparkly, round-cut diamond on a gold band I’ve ever seen. Though, in all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a diamond I don’t like.
“You gave me a replay on life in more ways than one, Trouble. And I know everything seems to be happening fast between us, but it also feels right. And real. And important. I want a life with you. I want a family with you. I want you as a part of my every day, always.” He pauses to pull the ring out of the box, and I blubber really inelegantly. He holds it up and asks, “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I cry, tears spilling out my eyes incessantly. “I could never refuse your offer!” I laugh and throw myself into his arms, nearly knocking both of us over in the process.
His chest vibrates with his own delicious amusement as he slips the ring on my finger and kisses me sweetly, passionately, and desperately all at the same time.
As far as second chances went, this one turned out to be not half bad.
A Few Weeks Later
“I’m just going to nip up to this new recruit’s flat to drop off some paperwork, and I’ll be right back,” I say, stretching out across the centre console of my car to kiss Tilly on the lips.
She grabs my winter coat and holds me tight, tangling her tongue with mine before murmuring, “Well, hurry up because I’m absolutely starving.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Why didn’t you eat any lunch before we left?”
“Because we’re going to sample wedding cakes, and I have a dress to fit into next month.” She crosses her arms and starts to pout.
“You don’t need to watch what you eat. Ever.” I glance down at her body that is perfect in any capacity.
She rolls her eyes. “That’s such a man thing to say.”
“Well, it’s the truth.” I inspect Tilly’s pensive face. “Are you doing alright? Planning a wedding in only two months is stressful. Plus, your job is keeping you very busy lately. We don’t have to rush this.”
“Santino,” she cuts me off. “That opening next month at The Shard for our wedding reception was a sign that this is exactly what we should be doing! It’s where you and I met again for the second time. It’s going to be gorgeous! And look, if you want babies before you turn forty and lose all your good looks and get old man wrinkly balls, then a quick wedding is exactly what we need.”
My shoulders shake with laughter. “I’ve got a few years before my balls start to drop, I suspect.”
“Right, but if you want more than one baby, then we’ve got to get the train on the tracks.”
I smile warmly over at her. “I think it’s best we put in some extra training hours then so we’re properly ready for our wedding night.”
I lean in and try to kiss her, but she shoves me away, quite roughly actually. “Get your errand run so we can eat! Did you already forget I’m starving?”
I laugh and slip out of the vehicle to make my way up to Zander Williams’ flat that the club booked for him. The American arrived here just two days ago, and I’ve had knots in my stomach ever since.
My light mood darkens the closer I get to his door. It’ll be a relief when Tilly and I are married because then I can unload this burden that I’ve been carrying on my own for months now because of that bloody nondisclosure agreement. A wife can’t testify against her husband in the court of law, so revealing this secret and getting some advice will feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
The secret being that Zander Williams may actually be