Page 48 of And Back

Dante's eyes widen slightly. "Flavio might be pissed," he warns.

"I'm a Capodecina," I remind him firmly. "This is within my authority. Just do it."

Security knows better than to intervene, but in this day and age, someone is most certainly filming. We need to move fast.

Zoe and I hurry towards the car. I open the door for her and help her in, then quickly slide into the driver's seat. As we speed away, I can feel my heart pounding, but I know we have to stay focused.

"Virgilio, what if they find us?" Zoe asks, her voice trembling with fear.

"They won't," I assure her. "I've got people taking care of it.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

ZOE

Virgilio and I sit in the car, my heart still racing from the chaos we just escaped.

"We have to go now," he says more to himself than to me.

The car starts with a low hum, and we take our leave from the chaos that had unfolded at the fashion show.

Virgilio's hand squeezes mine gently as he drives. The city lights blur past us, but all I can focus on is him—the man who has been through so much yet still finds it within himself to love so deeply.

When we finally arrive at the compound after a fast and nail-biting drive, he turns to me. Without a word, he leans in and kisses me deeply, pouring all his emotions into that kiss. It's a kiss filled with passion, desperation, and an overwhelming sense of relief.

"Marry me, Zoe. Be with me always," he whispers against my lips, his voice trembling with emotion.

I blink, taken aback by his sudden proposal. My eyes search his, needing to understand his true intentions. "As who? Ettore or Virgilio?"

He takes a deep breath, his green eyes unwavering as he looks into mine. "Virgilio," he says firmly. "I'll always be your Virgilio."

Virgilio holds my gaze, his expression intense and unwavering. "I want to marry you with my real name. It’s time for me to claim my legacy and our future together," he says, his voice steady and full of conviction.

I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. My heart races as I nod, feeling tears of joy welling up in my eyes. "Yes, Virgilio Messina. I will marry you," I say, my voice trembling with barely contained happiness.

He leans in and kisses me again, his lips warm and reassuring against mine. The kiss is deep, lingering, and filled with the promise of a future together. I don’t give a damn about the blood. Everything else fades away. All the fear, the chaos, the uncertainty—none of it matters anymore. It's just us, lost in each other, sealing our future with this kiss.

"I can't believe this is happening," I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.

Virgilio glances over at me, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Believe it," he says simply. "This is our future."

And for the first time in what feels like forever, I truly believe it too.

Virgilio's home feels both familiar and new. Every corner of the place seems to have taken on a different meaning. The warmth of the space wraps around me like a comforting embrace.

Virgilio parks the car in the private driveway of his estate. He gets out, walks around to my side, and opens my door with a soft smile.

"Come here," he whispers, his voice tender.

I step out, and without warning, he lifts me into his arms. My body pressed against his, and I can feel his heartbeat strong and steady.

It’s like every worry melts away in his hold.

He carries me inside, his movements careful yet firm.

The hallway stretches out before us as he takes me up the flight of stairs. Each step brings us closer to a place where everything else can fade away.

When we reach his room, he gently places me on the bed, sitting me down with care.

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