Page 45 of His Stolen Bride

He stares into my eyes.

“No, vow it.”

“I will never leave you.”

I pull his mouth back to mine, needing to feel him against me even if only for a few seconds.

“Beautiful, you have to understand your life will always come first.”

I start to talk but he puts his finger over my lips. “If you die, I’m as good as dead. There would be no way I could spend the rest of my days here without you. Life would have no meaning to me. Your death would end two lives.”

I suck in a breath.

“You may not like that, but I can’t change the way I feel in that regard.”

I shrug. “I’ll just do better about not getting myself into situations.”

“Situations.” He smiles before dropping his forehead to mine. “I never knew fear before today.”

“I’m okay.” I see the slight shake of his hands. I grab his with mine and lock our fingers together. As scary as today was, with me worrying I could lose this man, I know that’s the price you pay for loving someone so much. That one day they could be taken from you, heaven forbid. But it’s worth it. Even one night with Santino would have been worth it. No one has ever made me feel the way this man has. No one has ever loved me the way only he can.

He lets out a long breath. We’re running out of time, and I know there’s more my husband has to say. “You’re a Carrera.”

“I am. That name used to mean something.”

“It still can. It belongs to you and you sister. You took it back, and now all of it belongs to you. The eldest, and definitely the fiercest.”

“I thought you would just expand your area, take over all my father’s holdings.” I’d never thought about him giving me the reins to the empire my family built. Would that mean I’d have to go back home? No, that place was never home. Santino is my home. He’s the only true safe place I’ve ever known.

He sighs. “If that’s what you want me to do, I can, but there’s a catch. If you take over Carrera ...”

I hold my breath waiting for him to tell what it is.

“You’re not allowed to go back and stay at that home. You’re not just a Carrera anymore; you’re a Baldoni, and I need you by my side.” My eyes burn with tears. Never in a million years would I have predicted this outcome when Santino came here claiming everything as his own.

“You think I would ever leave you?” I raise my chin in challenge.

“Wasn't really giving you the option.”

I try to keep glaring at him, but a smile wins out. ““I don’t want the Carrera name. I want my name. Bella Baldoni.”

“God, I love you, beautiful.” He kisses me again, hard and wild, just like him.

But I break away. “Then what do we do?”

“I have an idea. Do you trust me?”

“You know I do. I think I trust you more than I trust myself, to be honest.”

“The feeling is mutual, beautiful.” He takes my hand. “We have business.”

“I’m coming to the meeting?” I asked, shocked.

He raises a brow. “You’re now the head of the Carrera family, are you not?”

Well, hell. I guess I am.

I bet my father never saw that coming.

---