Page 124 of Shadows of Obsession

The doorbell rings, and I already know who it is because she’s always late. I rush to the door and when I open it, I’m a littleshocked because Roxy is there, wearing a fitted cashmere dress, and beside her, Damien has his arms full of gifts.

"Uhh... Merry Christmas?" I say, still surprised to see Damien in jeans and a jacket and carrying gifts with red bows.

"Don't ask. This psycho was waiting outside my apartment door when I left to come here," Roxy tells me, and I know that tone.

It's her "I want you to think I'm angry, but I actually like it" tone, and I give her a "what the hell are you doing" look, which she catches and just shrugs at.

"Need help, Damien?"

"No, tygrysek," he answers with a smile, and I roll my eyes.

When we reach the living room, all eyes turn to Damien. Roxy already has a champagne glass in hand, and I see her in an animated discussion with Julia. My best friend probably knows her pin code and first grade teacher's name by now.

Roman comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. "When is everyone leaving?" he says with a sigh, and I can't help but laugh.

"We've barely all gotten together. And besides, I haven't given you your gift yet," I tell him, reaching under the tree to get the box I put there for him. It was almost impossible to think of what to get someone who has everything they could want. He raises his eyebrows and looks suspiciously at the small wrapped box.

"Come on, I don't want to faint from anticipation," I tell him.

He slowly opens the wrapping, and when he sees what's inside the box, he freezes.

I asked Gregory to make a special model of the monitoring bracelet. This one is programmed to display alerts, includingemergency alarm notifications, for all family members because, yes, I gave everyone bracelets to wear.

That's how they were able to locate me when all the madness with the Irish and Maksim happened.

For my love, there's something special engraved on the back. When he turns it over, I watch him read "Zhizn moya."

My life.Because that's what Roman has become to me.

"I couldn't think of a better term of endearment," I tell him, feeling slightly shy because his silence makes me nervous.

God, what if he hates the idea?I know it's just a gift and he probably won't wear it and that's fine, but somehow the thought that I missed the mark creates a void in my stomach.

"It's perfect," I hear him say and raise my eyes to look at him.

There's warmth in his gaze and his smile is enough to wake all the butterflies in my stomach.

"Really?" I ask, analyzing his features.

I don't think he'd lie to me, but I also know he wouldn't want to hurt my feelings.

"I wanted to postpone this gift until I met your parents, but I can't wait until then," he says and gets down on one knee.

I freeze, my whole body in a state of shock.No. I mean no. It can't be.

Roman pulls out a velvet box from a pocket inside his jacket, and when he opens it, the most beautiful ring sparkles in the lights from the Christmas tree. It has a large emerald in the center and around it…I hope those are orange-colored cubic zirconias.There aren't orange diamonds, are there?

"Luna, moya dosha, will you..."

I feel all eyes fixed on us. Roxy lets out a squeal of excitement, while Niko starts laughing.

"YES!" I don't let him finish because I can't stop the answer from coming out of my mouth.

"You don't even know what I was going to ask," he tells me, smiling, and I lean toward him and kiss him.

"It better involve the two of us, a priest, and an eternity beside you," I whisper against his lips.

His eyes darken and he stands, lifting me with his arms around my waist.

---