Page 109 of The Chameleon

Eyes wide, Matteo stared up at the woman decked out in full costume and wearing the biggest wig Ares had ever seen.

The woman held out her hand and waited for Matteo to take it.

Matteo glanced over at Ares, looking terrified and confused.

“Go on. Take it,” Ares encouraged.

Swallowing hard, Matteo took the diva’s hand and allowed her to guide them both to the front of the table.

The woman bowed, then took a step back, eyes drifting over to Ares.

Heart pounding in his chest, Ares stood up from the table and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the tiny satin box that had been burning a hole in his pocket since they left the hotel.

A gasp escaped Matteo’s lips.

Getting down on one knee, Ares reached up and took Matteo’s trembling hand.

The room fell silent.

“Matteo. Love of my life. Before I met you, I was a shell of a man. I was lost and hurting and only saw the world in shades ofgray. Ever since that day you came plowing into me during that rainstorm, I have been seeing nothing but colors.”

Ares opened the box and held the ring out on full display.

“Matté, you’re the most kind and generous man I have ever met. I would love nothing more than to spend the rest of my life showing you just how special you really are. Matteo Sabarino, will you marry me?”

Dropping down to his knees, Matteo took Ares’s face in his hands. “There’s no one who I would rather spend the rest of my life with than you. Of course I’ll marry you.”

With those magical words, Matteo leaned in and kissed Ares.

All around them, the room erupted in whistles and cheers. Everyone clapped, while some clinked their crystal glasses with their dinner knives.

Ares lost himself in the passion of his fiancé’s lips.

“Way to go, Daddy A!” someone shouted a few feet away.

Matteo’s body stiffened against his.

Slowly, Matteo pulled his lips away, shifting slightly to see over his shoulder.

Standing there, with the biggest smile on his face, was Isaac.

“What the?” Matteo asked, watching as the man standing next to Isaac removed his mask as well.

Jared.

Ares couldn’t help but smile as Matteo glanced around the room dumbfounded. One by one, each of the other guests removed their masks.

Levi, Chase, Diesel, the twins, and even the little traitor who had wormed his way into their lives stood there, smiling at Matteo.

“You’re all here!”

“I couldn’t let the second most important day of your life happen without including your family. I know how much theymean to you.” Ares stole a glance over at his brother, who was standing at a table with Levi and Chase.

“You are just…” Matteo trailed off.

“Amazing? Perfection? Easy on the eyes? A demon in bed?” Ares felt the wind get knocked out of him as Matteo gently punched him in the stomach.

“Yup, he’s definitely bottoming for Daddy M tonight,” Diesel noted, picking up his whiskey and taking a swig.

The room laughed.

Brilliantly, Ares had purchased all the tickets for tonight’s performance so that they could enjoy their celebration in private… and as a family.

Looking at all the smiling faces, Ares couldn’t think of a better way to spend his life. He had the most perfect man by his side, a brother who loved him, and a room full of adult man-children who would go to war for him if he ever asked.

This was family.

This was love.

The End.

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