Page 306 of The Devil's Fire

“I thought you got kidnapped! I was about to send out a search party!” Cara scolded me with a frown as I watched her all cuddled up in bed while we were FaceTiming.

I was by the pool, sunbathing and sipping my iced coffee when I gave her a call, but I had forgotten about the time zone and accidentally woke her up.

“I didn’t even know he was taking me to Italy to meet his family. He made it a surprise.” I tried to explain to her.

“You could have sent a text or something.” She continued to sulk.

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been kind of busy these days.”

“Oh, yeah, I can see you’re so busy looking fucking hot while sunbathing in Italy.” Her sarcasm had me giving her a blank look. “Busy fucking Damiano all day?”

“That too.” I winked before we burst out laughing. “I’ve been getting my ass kicked. Damiano has been training me, and Giovanni and Luca showed me absolutely no mercy! This is the first time in days I’m getting a break.” I said in relief.

“Well, at least you’re getting better.” Cara offered as a comfort.

“True.”

“Did you meet their father yet?” She smirked.

I let out a scoff in response.

“Let me guess, he tested you?” She chuckled.

“He offered me money to leave Damiano.” I rolled my eyes, but I wasn’t pissed about it anymore.

“How much did he offer you?”

“A ridiculous amount of twenty million dollars.”

“What the hell? Why the fuck was I only offered five?” Cara exclaimed, clearly offended.

“That’s still a lot, Cara.” I chuckled at her reaction. “I’m interested to know what you did when he asked you.”

“I grabbed the check, stuffed it in my bra and said, ‘thank you, now I have your money and Lorenzo’s money to shop with, then left.” She grinned, looking proud of herself.

“Maybe that’s why he ‘only’ offered five million to you, knowing you would take it.” I laughed as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Wait, what the fuck is that?” Cara pressed her face against the camera.

“What? Oh, this?” I smirked and showed her my enormous engagement ring.

“He proposed?!” She gasped and then screamed in joy when I confirmed with a nod and gigantic smile. “Shit, that ring is gorgeous! And huge! Look, Lorenzo.” She rolled to the other side of the bed, and Lorenzo came into view as he looked at the screen.

“He was there the whole time?” I asked, mortified.

“Uh, yeah? Where else would he be?” She gave me a ’duh’ look. My cheeks heated in embarrassment that he had heard our unfiltered conversation.

“Hello to you too, Althaia. Sorry to disappoint you with my presence.” Lorenzo looked amused, and I let out an awkward laugh.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I see he finally proposed to you.” He remarked, eyeing my ring. “Of course, that bastard would get you a diamond that big.”

“You could learn something from him.” Cara teased, struggling to contain her laughter when he turned to her with a blank look.

“Is that ring on your finger not big enough for you?” Lorenzo raised a brow, and she gave an innocent shrug.

“Anyway, congratulations, Thaia! I’m so happy for you!” Her entire face lit up with happiness.

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