Page 81 of Cage of Thorns and Blood

When the plates are cleared away, an ice bucket is brought into the room.

There is a bottle of Krug sweating in the bucket, and I pick up the bottle, noting the vintage date. Pricey, I think.

The staff leave the room, and the only people left are me, Matteo, and the orchestra who are playing something beautiful which I don’t recognize.

Matteo stands and walks around to where I’m sitting. He takes something out of his pocket and fluidly drops to one knee.

Oh my God. This is really happening.

He flips open the box, and I gasp. The ring is stunning. A shining, astonishing cluster of stones, in the most exquisite setting.

“Renata Andretti. I’m not a man who kneels for anyone, but I kneel for you. I swear to you that I will protect you and love you. Will you do me the very great honor of being my wife?”

“Yes,” I gasp as the tears fill my eyes.

He grins as he stands and takes the ring out of the box. He places it carefully on my ring finger, and I stare at the astonishing way it catches the light.

“This ring has been in my family since before the first world war,” he says. “My father didn’t use it when he proposed to my mother, because he believed she’d prefer something new. It was passed down to me, and until now, I never felt there was anyone worthy of wearing it.”

“It’s beautiful,” I say in awe of its intricacy.

“It is, but it’s not as beautiful as you. Sadly, no jewel could ever equal you, but this is the best I could do.”

He pulls me to my feet. “So … yes?” he asks as he looks deep in my eyes.

“Yes,” I say, nodding.

He pulls me up into his arms and kisses me.

I kiss him back as the orchestra begins to play the wedding march.

We break apart, and I giggle. “We should tell our families. Who would have thought we’d ever get here? An Andretti and a Mancini.”

“It was always fated to be, just life got in the way for a while. You belong to me now, Renata, and I belong to you. I love you. You’re my person.”

And with those words, Matteo Mancini goes a very long way to healing the hole in my soul from years of always feeling as if I was never truly wanted or loved.

“I love you too,” I say.

He kisses me again, and a slow clap behind us has us breaking off the kiss. Clifford is watching. “I guess congratulations are in order,” he says.

“Yes,” Matteo replies.

“Well then, congratulations.” He walks over to us and pulls me into an embrace. “Welcome to the family, Renata. Just so you know...”

I wait, thinking he’s going to say he’ll never approve.

“I defend our family and will lay my life down for any of them, and that now includes you. You ever need me, Renata, just call.” Then Clifford kisses my hand and steps back.

“I suppose there’s going to be a wedding to organize.” He rubs at his cheek.

I nod.

He glances at the ground and then back at me. “Would you do me a personal favor and let my partner be involved? He loves that kind of thing.”

“Of course,” I say happily. “I’d be happy to.”

Matteo puts his arm around me, and the warmth and protection I feel from his embrace is all I ever wanted. Who knows how my life will play out, but I am sure it will be better with having him by my side for the journey.

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