Page 79 of The Kiss that Captured a Billionaire
“Glad it worked out,” Alexandros murmured.
A shudder ran through Theo before he could stop it. “Me too,” he said quietly. It was the truth—and also the understatement of his life.
“Come,” Christos suggested from behind them, his deep voice even. “A quiet drink on the terrace before dinner might be nice. We have company. They wanted to give you a moment.”
Theo nodded, walking toward the steps—only to slow as a new pair of figures emerged onto the terrace.
Lorenzo. Sophia.
Rose’s soft, almost broken cry snapped his gaze to her. She had gone still ahead of him, her eyes locked on the elderly couple, tears shimmering.
When they opened their arms, she surged forward, and they enveloped her in an embrace that was pure, unconditional love.
Theo stood rooted where he was, his chest a battlefield. This reunion could take her from him. Lorenzo and Sophia had already lost so much; he could see it in the way they clung to her, their bodies trembling.
He clenched his fists at his sides. He would not lose her. Not to danger. Not to the Rossi family. Not even to the people who loved her as fiercely as he did.
She was his. And after today, he knew he’d do anything—anything—to keep it that way.
The night air was warm but edged with a touch of coolness. This evening, the sea's breath met the shore in a symphony ofhushed, whispering waves. Not loud and crashing, but soothing and gentle, like a soft caress.
Theo stood at the terrace rail, a glass of whiskey in hand, watching the moonlight ripple across the water. Dinner had been… lively. Rose had retired early with a wry smile and the comment that “being kidnapped takes a lot out of a girl.” Dani had laughed and replied that being pregnant was just as bad.
Now, the villa was quiet.
He should have gone with Rose, but his emotions still rode too close to the surface. The thought of losing her had carved a hollow in his chest, and he needed a moment to fill it with something steadier before he saw her again.
Footsteps echoed softly against the tile behind him.
He turned, his gaze landing on Lorenzo. His godfather moved to stand beside him at the rail, the older man’s presence grounding and familiar. They stood in companionable silence for a long moment, both staring out at the endless stretch of dark water.
“I’ve been following what’s been going on,” Lorenzo said finally, his voice low.
Theo frowned. “What do you mean?”
“After the DNA results came back, I shared them with Sophia, Lucinda, and Raff. I asked Raff to keep an eye on Rose.” Lorenzo’s gaze stayed on the water, but there was nothing casual in his tone. “I know about your relationship with my granddaughter.”
Theo’s lips twitched. Of course he knew. Lorenzo always knew.
“What are your intentions?”
Theo breathed out a sigh, the corners of his mouth lifting into a quiet chuckle. He looked down at the amber in his glass, swirling it once before lifting his gaze to meet Lorenzo’s.
“I should have known you’d be on top of things.” He let the truth come without hesitation. “I’m in love with her. And I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
Lorenzo’s face softened, a slow, genuine smile breaking across it. “Then you have my blessing. I would be proud to call you my son—not that I don’t already think of you as one.”
Something in Theo’s chest loosened. The approval meant more than he’d realized, settling in his bones like a promise kept.
Lorenzo glanced toward the villa, his expression turning warm. “Sophia and Lucinda will work with your mother to plan the wedding. It will be a true joining of two great families.”
Theo’s lips curved. “God help me,” he murmured, but there was no mistaking the quiet joy in his voice.
Lorenzo’s chuckle was deep and satisfied as he lifted his own glass. “To you and Rose. And to the future. Thank you for bringing my family peace, Theo.”
Theo raised his glass in return, the clink ringing softly between them. “To the future. To family.”
The whiskey burned warm down his throat, but it was nothing compared to the heat of relief and anticipation in his chest.
