Page 119 of Capo

He chuckles and pulls me closer, but I put a hand to his chest and push him away, holding him at an arm’s distance. “Teach me how to fight back, Luci. Teach me how to use a gun. I don’t ever want to feel defenseless again.”

He flinches and looks me over. “I thought you hated firearms.”

“I do. But being around you, I’m figuring I need to make peace with them.”

“You want to be my gangster wife?”

My head suddenly spins. “Wife?”

“What the fuck, Chloe, did you think we’d live in sin? I was brought up a Catholic boy.”

“Luciano Salvatore, you are sin incarnated.”

“That I am, future Mrs. Chloe Salvatore. That I am. And so are you. Let me show the world that you are my woman.”

He rises and pulls me to my wobbly feet, then he goes down on one knee and takes my hand. “I hadn’t prepared this, but there is no time like the present. We’ll go find you a giant diamond ring tomorrow. Chloe Becker, will you do me the greatest honor and be my wife?”

My chest aches, a good ache. I finally found that connection I have looked for my whole life. I found that special someone who tore down my walls, who pushed and prodded until he discovered the real me, who fills my life with excitement and who never lets me get bored. He doesn’t only accept Christine and my sordid past, he loves every part of it, still fascinated, still asking about it.

“Yes! I’ll be your queen and your whore.”

A beautiful smile spreads across his face. He squeezes my hand tighter. “I’ll always honor you and protect you.”

“Never let me go again.”

“I won’t.”

I sink to my knees before him and cup his cheeks, leaning my forehead against his. “I love you,” I whisper. “I’m here, I’m staying, and I love you.”

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