Page 81 of Stolen By the Enemy

I follow the same path we took last night until I see the cabana up ahead.

I can already see him standing there, with fairy lights and cushions, and what looks like a picnic.

This is it—he’s finally decided he can trust me.

This is his way of offering me romance instead of fear.

My heart beats hard and fast behind my ribs, and a lump forms in my throat.

My cheeks feel warm. I wanted this, but a part of me is still worried that it won’t work.

Marco was right when he pointed out that we come from such different worlds, but it is true that we’re almost the same person.

I walk closer to the cabana and step inside, taking Marco’s outstretched hand as I do so.

He’s dressed in a black suit, his dark hair slicked back and his usual stubble is gone.

I’m glad I shaved my legs before this date, because it’s a whole lot fancier than our casual dinners have been.

“You made it.” Marco has the biggest smile on his face, which is incredibly odd for him.

“Of course I did.”

I kiss him softly on his lips and see his eyes close as I do, which is odd for him. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is good.”

His expression is not one I’ve seen before. He looks… softer. Possibly nervous. “I just want to say something.”

“Okay. I’ll listen.”

Marco takes a deep breath, looks out at the sea, and then back at me before he begins to speak.

“After reading your letter, and after all the time we’ve spent together, my thoughts and feelings have been all over the place. I’m sorry for not giving you an answer sooner, but I had to clear my head and know that my next decision was going to be right for both of us. Before I say anything more, I need you to know that I love you. I love the way you challenge me, the way you make the ordinary extraordinary. I love your passion for life, your empathy towards other people, and the beauty that comes from inside you. I know we come from different worlds, but I'm ready to face that challenge with you. I want to make you happy, Grazia, and I'm willing to work with your family, no matter how different our worlds may be. I choose you, and I choose us.”

I can feel my heartbeat in my chest, strangling the breaths my lungs are trying to take.

I expected a romantic date, but this is more than I thought possible for where we are right now.

“Marco...” I hold his hand as he goes down onto one knee and looks up at me.

“I mean every word, Grazia. I'm not promising a perfect journey, but I am promising to navigate it together. I want to be the reason behind your smile and the one who stands by you through thick and thin. Will you let me do that for you? Will you marry me, mi chica?”

“I…” My thoughts feel like there’s been a tornado in my brain.

Everything is being swept away, and I can’t grab onto a single thought to reply to him.

Marco has just told me that he loves me, and he wants me to be his wife. Barely a week ago, he was handcuffing me to a bed and accusing me of trying to trick him.

I know how we got from there to here, but a part of me worries how much it would take to keep things this good.

And then I think about how my brothers would react to an announcement that I am now marrying their enemy.

They would disown me.

Marco is still on one knee, gazing up at me and holding the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.

I feel a tear slip down my cheek and quickly wipe it away.

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