Page 85 of Burning Beauty

Maria shrugged. "I have confidence he'll find a place for us to eat. Nic promised he'd take me out to a restaurant and then dancing, and Nic never breaks a promise."

"No, he doesn't," Cassandra said, with a grin. "I hope you have a wonderful time on your date with my husband. Try not to get kidnapped, shot or concussed."

"Technically I was never shot at," Maria pointed out laughing.

Cassandra thought about it, then said, "You know Nic used bullets when he came after you. You just happened to be in another country at the time."

Nic hadn't given Maria any specifics on how he'd gotten her location out of Franco, and she didn't really want to know. She was safe and sound with her family and she suspected Franco was sleeping with the fishes. She snickered at her private mafia joke. She couldn't seem to spare much feeling over the fact that Franco was probably dead. He'd set her up, threatened her brother, sold her to Nic, kidnapped her and sold her again to people that could have very well killed her.

Cassandra and Maria continued to wrap presents and gossip until they were called down to dinner. Maria was the happiest she'd ever been. She still found Nic's rules and overprotectiveness stifling, but he was working on allowing her some limited freedoms. He was constantly hovering, always checking on her online activity, and if she dared to leave the house, he insisted on bubble wrapping her and accompanying her with at least half a dozen bodyguards. It was overkill, but she couldn't bring herself to complain.

Five days later, the family, including Nic, Maria, Cassandra, Ruiz, Luke and Yara sat around the Christmas tree opening gifts. Maria laughed as she opened a gaudy gift bag with a pink thong and matching high heels. She held them up with a raised brow at Cassandra, who was gushing over the diamond tennis bracelet Maria had gotten her.

Maria gave Nic a pair of boxer shorts with a pattern of little mafia men in trench coats and fedoras, and a tie pin shaped like a gun. She'd tried ordering him gold plated brass knuckles, but he'd seen her online order and cancelled it, telling her that gold was too soft of a metal to hit someone with. Maria decided next year she'd try titanium.

Nic presented Maria and Cassandra with a brand new ten-week-old puppy. He said it was a mutt from the local SPCA. It was love at first sight and the women immediately began arguing over puppy names while divvying up the pup's time between them. He would sleep with Cassandra four days a week and Maria three days.

After all the presents had been opened, they sat around the fire drinking coffee and hot chocolate, laughing and talking. Maria could tell that Nic was terribly uncomfortable but was trying to be sociable and friendly. Nic had a firm 'no friends' policy, but lately he'd seen life through Maria's eyes and was more willing to believe that the weakness of caring for people was worth having loyal men at his back.

Once the dust had settled on her kidnapping, she even convinced him to invite some of his associates for a boxing day meal. The invites included the Sitnikovs, Lucy Miller, Claudia and Tyson King, and Daniel Mercer and his musician girlfriend. Maria was looking forward to introducing Cassandra to some new friends. Cassandra was ecstatic over planning an elaborate affair so she could show off her mob wife skills.

"Maria," Nic said her name softly.

She looked at him, a smile still on her lips as she continued to half listen to Cassandra describe the meal she and Yara had planned for the next day while Ruiz rolled on the floor with the puppy. "Mmmhmm?"

Nic took her hand in his and slid off the couch and onto his knee on the floor in front of Maria. Now he had her full attention. She stared at him in shock. She'd never seen Nic in less than a power position, tall, strong and imposing. Though he still looked imposing, even on the floor. He reached into his jacket and pulled a small red velvet jewelry box out. Maria's heart went into overdrive and she looked up at the others to check if they were seeing what she was seeing. Casandra was bouncing in her chair with excitement, while Ruiz was smiling his approval.

"Maria Graciela Sancehz," he began. Tears started in Maria's eyes, blurring everyone in the room. "My love, mi amor, there is no one I would rather spend my life with. As you know, I will not be able to marry you in a traditional sense, but I wish for you to take vows with me, to promise to twine your life with mine. I love you more than I imagined I was capable of loving. Please take this step with me, tell me you will stay forever."

He opened the box, but Maria was crying too hard to see him.

"Si, yes, I will!" she said excitedly, shoving her hand out for him to put the ring on and smacking him in the chin. "Oh, sorry!"

He chuckled and took her hand in his, sliding the ring on. Maria used her sleeve to wipe the tears away. Finally, she was able to look at her ring. She got about thirty seconds to admire the jaw-dropping gorgeous princess cut diamond set in a white gold band before Cassandra jumped on her with a screech and seized her hand to look at the ring.

"Yay, my first time as a maid of honour!" she shouted.

Maria rolled her eyes and hugged her friend. Trust Cassandra to make an assumption like that. Of course, Maria wouldn't have asked anyone else, but she would have liked the opportunity to ask. She grinned at Nic over Cassandra's shoulder, conveying to him how happy he made her. He smiled back, his amber eyes soft and loving.

Maria knew he was still a mafia kingpin, and he always would be, but he was also her kingpin and they would do whatever it took to keep their slice of happiness.

Epilogue

6 Months Later

Maria looked up at Nic, her heart fluttering in happiness, the way it always did when she was near him. When her life had gone haywire all those years ago, she couldn't have imagined that things would end up this way. That she would fall in love and want to spend the rest of her life with an internationally known mafia kingpin. Yet, here she was, standing next to the only man that could complete her.

A congregation of their closest friends, family and business associates sat behind them in rows of chairs set up on the beach, a short walk from the house. There were not many in attendance, and the wedding wasn't nearly as lavish as the King wedding, but it was perfect, exactly what Maria wanted. Her brother stood at Nic's side, while Cassandra stood next to Maria, both offering the support of family.

Maria was wearing a gorgeous Anna Kara design. White and simple with a fairy princess quality to it, perfect for a beach wedding. Maria decided to go barefoot, much to Cassandra's horror, but had a pair of matching stilettos to slip into for the reception, which was being held in the ballroom. Nic looked incredible. He always looked incredible, but he'd chosen a classic black tuxedo with a white shirt. He left the shirt open at his strong tanned throat for a more casual look.

"Maria Graciela Sanchez," Nic started, his eyes never wavering from hers. It was just the two of them on the beach, eyes, hands and hearts touching. "You stole my heart from the beginning, and this is a piece of me I expect you to hold until our dying day. You have given me life and the desire to be a better man, if only in your eyes. I want to spend my life keeping you safe and guarding your heart from all hurts. I want to watch over you while you sleep like the dead and sing terrible songs in the shower."

Maria, who had started crying almost as soon as he began his vows, let out a watery laugh.

"I want to listen to your passion and soothe the fires that rage. I will be everything you need in this life and more. I will give your mama in heaven the peace she deserves by loving you for the rest of your days. Thank you for agreeing to be my bride."

Cassandra blew her nose so loudly Maria jumped and looked around for the bird that was attacking the wedding party. Cassandra gave her a guilty grin and waved.

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