Page 77 of A Game of Ruck
“Okay,” I reply.
“Okay,” he says.“First, I want you to know I disowned my father before I could legally vote.Anthony Moretti is a monster.He mistreated me and my mother for years.When we finally got away and he went to jail?I was able to move on with my life.Mom died when I was in college.But him?He’s been dead to me for years.”
“How did he know about us?”she asks.
“He didn’t, mija.I found him.I needed to check out your young man here.Please, forgive me,” Marco interrupts.
“Papa, how could you?”
I’m so mad right now.But also, I feel relieved because Luca has never betrayed me.
He’s always been true and honest.And he doesn’t even blame me for thinking what I thought.
That just makes me love him more.
“It’s my job to look out for you.”
“He’s right, Angel.Don’t be mad at him.Now, will you marry me?”he says loud enough for my father to hear, too.
He’s on one knee now.
Just to do it right.
Because he’s him.
Because he’smine.
My Luca.
I laugh through tears—big, happy, embarrassing ones—and before I can stop myself, I drop to my knees right along with him, cupping his gorgeous, stubborn, perfect face in my hands.
“Yes,” I whisper, then louder, stronger.“Yes.A thousand times,yes.”
He grins like the sun just came out.Then he kisses me—hard, deep, like he means it.
Like we’ve waited a lifetime to get here.
And maybe we have.
People cheer.Someone whistles.
And yeah, Daniela is absolutely snapping photos with her phone, tears in her eyes and a wide grin on her face.
Finley, the redhead I met earlier, is recording the whole thing like it’s her job—which it technically is.
But you know what?I don’t mind sharing this part with the world.
Because the truth is, this isourstory now.
Ours to tell.Ours to live.
It’s our forever.
And I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Chapter Nineteen-Luca
The second Annabeth says yes,I look straight at her father.
