“She’s right,” Milo said, easing back a bit, but still stroking my hair.

“The wedding night it is then,” Julian spoke.

Nico smiled. “A wedding night unlike any other.”

“Nothing like what my twisted family had in mind.”

“Never,” Nico all but snarled.

“Damn straight,” Milo vowed, just as worked up by it.

“We’ve got you,” Julian assured me.

“This is what it means to be ours,principessa.”He pulled away then and reached into his inner jacket pocket. “While we may not have time to devour you, there is time for this.”

The next thing I knew, he was dropping down onto one knee, then holding out a ring.

A stunning and amazing engagement ring with turquoise gemstones surrounding the central big diamond. It was modern and edgy, just my style.

“Originally from Tiffany’s and thenupgradedby Milo’s contact with what we discussed.”

I held out my left hand, and he slipped the ring onto my finger, then rose to his feet and kissed it. “This marriage may be forced on us both, but this ring represents what the four of us now share together.”

“It’s amazing,” I breathed, staring at it in wonder. “Thank you. Thank you for doing this.”

The three of them enveloped me then.

Warmth radiated through me, and I sank into them, wanting to feel the full effect of it.

This was what it meant to not be out in the world fighting alone.

I’d never imagined I’d know what that felt like, never imagined I’d be fortunate enough to have it for myself.

Now I did have it, there was no way I would let it go.

Not for anything.

Not for anyone.

No matter what came our way.

26

~Nico~

It was blatantly apparent to me how nervous Caterina was about tomorrow.

Our wedding day.

She never left things to the last minute. She was always extremely well-prepared.

Yet, now she was in a bridal shop only just picking out her wedding dress.

Off the rack, too. Again, most definitely not her way.

I reached the changing room that the store owner had told me she was in and rapped on the door. “Decent?”

“Yes—I mean—Nico, is that you?”