Page 59 of His Bride

“And… mentally?”

She hesitates, her fingers picking at a loose thread on her blanket. “I’m okay. It’s… I have nightmares sometimes. But I’m working through it. I’m tough, you know that.”

I nod, forcing a smile. “The toughest. I’m here for you. Whatever you need…” My voice trails off, the weight of everything pressing down on me.

Valentina’s expression softens. She tugs me closer, wrapping her arms around me again.

“I know,” she replies. “But I’m okay. We’re okay. That’s what matters to me.”

I nod against her shoulder, allowing myself to believe her words. For a moment, we just sit there, holding each other. The steady rhythm of her heartbeat grounds me, a reminder that she’s here, alive and safe.

“I love you Val,” I say.

“I love you too Adri.”

Chapter Twenty-one

Adriana

The seaplane touches down on crystal-clear water, sending ripples across the surface. My heart races as we taxi towards a wooden dock jutting out from a pristine beach.

“We’re here,” Dante says, his hand warm on my lower back.

I step onto the dock, legs wobbly from the flight and nerves. The air is thick with salt and tropical flowers. Palm trees sway in the breeze, framing a path that leads to a secluded villa perched on a hill.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe, taking it all in.

Dante’s eyes are on me, not the scenery. “You’re beautiful.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. Even after everything, his intensity still catches me off guard.

We follow a winding path to the villa, our luggage carried by silent staff. The door swings open to reveal a spacious living area bathed in natural light.

“Oh,” I gasp, drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean.

Dante comes up behind me, arms encircling my waist. “Do you like it?”

I lean back into him, savoring his solid warmth. “It’s perfect.”

His lips touch my ear. “Only the best for you, mia cara.”

I turn in his arms, struck by the tenderness in his gaze. This man, who can be so ruthless, looks at me like I’m his whole world.

“What are you thinking?” he asks softly.

I trace the line of his jaw, marveling at how much has changed. “That I’m lucky. That I want to make the most of every moment with you.”

Dante’s eyes darken with desire. He leans in, his kiss full of promise.

Later after we have settled and as the sun is dipping towards the horizon, Dante takes my hand. “Let’s walk,” he says, leading me down to the beach.

The sand is still warm beneath my feet, fine grains slipping between my toes. Waves lap gently at the shore, their rhythmic sound soothing my lingering nerves. I breathe deeply, tasting salt on my tongue.

Dante’s grip tightens fractionally. “Just us.”

“Just us,” I echo, meeting his gaze. The intensity I find there makes my breath catch.

We walk in comfortable silence, the dying light painting Dante’s features in soft gold. I study his profile, the strong line of his jaw, the slight furrow between his brows.

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