Page 52 of Bound By Honor

“My choice, my authority as Don,” Dominic had stated firmly. “Luciano deserves Aurora. They’ve earned their happiness.”

The former Don studied me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Very well. But remember, Vitale—you break her heart, there won’t be a place on earth where you can hide.”

Now, watching Aurora’s straight spine and lifted chin—that defiant tilt that first stole my breath—I know every sacrifice was worth it. Even now, she takes my breath away.

“She’ll say yes,” Luca whispers with a child’s certainty. “Right,Papá?”

“God, I hope so.” I press a kiss to his dark curls. “Ready to help me ask?”

He beams, practically vibrating with excitement as Aurora and her father return. The family gathers around, creating an intimate circle beneath the twinkling lights. My heart thunders against my ribs as I watch her—this woman who walked through fire for us, who gave everything to protect our love.

“Aurora.” My voice breaks with emotion, years of loneliness and newfound joy colliding in her name. “There’s something we need to ask you.”

She turns, moonlight catching the gold in her eyes—those same eyes that saw past my walls, that never wavered even when bullets flew. “Luciano?”

Luca steps forward, his small hands trembling with the weight of our future as he opens the box. The diamond catches the fairy lights, sending prisms dancing across Aurora’s face—the face that brought hope back into our broken world.

“Will you marry us?” Luca asks, his voice carrying all the innocent love of a child who’s found his mother’s heart. “Papàsays you already make us a family, but now it can be forever-official.”

“Forever-official?” Aurora’s laugh catches on a sob, tears already spilling down her cheeks.

I drop to one knee beside my son, taking her hand—the same hand that’s wiped away Luca’s tears, that’s pressed against my wounds, that’s fought and loved with equal passion.

“You brought light back into our world,Principessa. You fought for us, bled for us, loved us even when bullets and betrayal threatened everything. You chose us every time, even when loving me could have cost you everything.”

“Luciano—” Her voice breaks with emotion.

“Let me finish.” I squeeze her fingers, pouring years of loneliness and newfound joy into the touch. “I know I’m not an easy man to love. I’m overprotective, stubborn, and I drink too much expensive scotch. I carry scars that may never fully heal.”

Her watery laugh pierces my heart, reminding me of every moment she’s brought light to our darkness.

“But you make me better. You make us better.” I glance at Luca, seeing in his eyes the same love that saved us both. “You took our broken pieces and made them whole. Marry us. Be my wife, his mother, our everything. Let me spend forever proving I deserve the miracle of your love.Ti amo, Aurora. Until my last breath and beyond.”

“Please say yes,” Luca stage-whispers, his small hand finding mine, completing our circle of love.

Aurora pulls us both up, tears streaming freely now, her whole body trembling with emotion. “Yes. God, yes. A thousand times yes. In this life and whatever comes after.”

The pavilion erupts in cheers as I slip the ring onto her finger—a perfect fit, like she was always meant to wear it. Her lips meet mine, tasting of salt and joy and promises, of bullets survived and love that conquered death itself.

“Ti amo,” she whispers against my mouth, her arms wrapping around both of us. “Both of you. Always and forever, through whatever storms come. We’re family—forever-official.”

And in that moment, under twinkling lights and starlit promises, our broken pieces finally came together, creating something beautiful and unbreakable. A family forged in fire, bound by love, ready to face whatever tomorrow brings—an unbreakable unit.

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