Page 60 of His to Claim

“And thank you right back,” I tell him. “I never thought I’d find someone and I was on the verge of giving up. You make my life more beautiful, infinitely better, in so many ways.”

“I’m just glad your family accepted me so easily.”

“They’ve always liked you because whenever the shit hit the fan, you were right there to help us. It doesn’t matter your original reasons for doing it. You never let us down, Damon, and we all will be forever grateful to you.”

He lifts my hands and presses a kiss to each one of my knuckles. “Let’s get you a ring this week. The biggest, most expensive diamond you want, sweetheart.”

“I don’t need a big diamond, Damon,” I whisper, looking into his dark eyes. Eyes so full of love. “I just need you.”

“That’s nice to hear, but I’m going to make sure there’s a rock sitting on your finger. I need it very visible and very apparent, so it will let every other man out there know that you’re taken. Because you belong to me now, Carlotta Rossi, and I am never letting you go.”

“Fine by me,” I whisper. A love like I’ve never known before fills me and our mouths meld together in a kiss full of promise.

I’ve finally found my person, my other half, and I’m glad he’s never letting me go because the feeling is mutual.

Damon Rossi is all mine and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

24

ARCHER

People always say time flies, but when you’re preparing for a destination wedding, the saying takes on a whole new meaning. In our case, time has disappeared in the blink of an eye. But every single moment we’ve spent together is precious. I really couldn’t love Carlotta more and each day with her is a new adventure.

One I always look forward to.

I’m a laid back kind of guy when it comes to wedding details, so I tell her to choose exactly what she wants. Guns and ops, on the other hand, I need to know every minute thing down to the letter. Even though I tell her to pick the flowers and foods and decorations she wants most, Carlotta makes sure to include me in everything.

“This is your day, too,” she tells me.

“I know, sweetheart, and I love that you want my opinion, too. But I just want you to be happy.”

“Damon, we could get married at the courthouse tomorrow and I’d be okay with it.”

God, I love this woman.

The plan is to spend a few extra weeks in Sicily. We’re arriving early to take care of the final wedding details and then we will spend the rest of the month with her family and celebrate Christmas. After that, I’m taking my beautiful bride on a flight across the Ionian Sea and we’re going to honeymoon in the beautiful Ionian Islands off the coast of Greece.

I honestly can’t say I’ve ever looked forward to something as much as the two weeks we’ll have alone, just us, exploring the islands and relaxing and having so much sex we might possibly die by orgasm. Maybe we’ll even explore the mainland, too. Whatever she wants to do. As long as there’s a bed nearby, I’m good.

Before we know it, we’re on the Rossi family’s private jet, heading over to Sicily. Angelo and Blake decided to come over early, too, and it’s nice to have the company. I like Carlotta’s youngest brother a lot because he’s always telling a funny story and making us laugh. I think out of all her brothers, she and Angelo are the most alike.

Blake, Angelo’s wife, is expecting twins, so they thought it would be nice to head over early and let her relax. She’s getting bigger every day and is doing well, but I can’t say I envy them. One baby would be hard enough. But two? This won’t be the only set of twins, either. Vin and Hannah have twin girls—Rosa and Bianca—who are sweet little angels. But, I have to say, knowing that twins run in their family makes me a little nervous.

The plane ride over to Sicily goes fast because we talk most of the way. I’ve never been to Sicily and neither has Blake, so we’re both looking forward to it.

“You’re going to love it,” Carlotta gushes. “December in Sicily is the most beautiful time of the year.”

“You’ve told me so much and now I can’t wait to see it with my own eyes.”

“I’m going to take you all over so you can experience everything,” she tells me, squeezing my hand.

The only thing I’m a little nervous about is meeting her parents. Maybe it’s silly, and I know I already have her father’s permission via phone, but I have an old school heart and I really want to make sure he’s okay with me. With us. The last month has been such a whirlwind and the way we swept into each other’s lives might make him start second-guessing my true intentions.

I love Carlotta more than anything in this world, though, and I will make sure both of her parents know that.

After landing safely at the small airport, Angelo and I grab all the luggage while the women go down to check on the car.

“Are you ready for this?” Angelo asks, looking over at me as I load my arms with as much baggage as possible.

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