Page 198 of A New Dawn

“I’m worried I’ll change and won’t be myself anymore. I’m worried you won’t love me anymore. And life without you isn’t worth living.”

Oh, this woman. How could she ever think this?

I push up so I’m right above her and can look her in the eyes. She must know what she means to me. That nothing could ever change that.

“Life withoutyouisn’t worth living, El. You are my everything. Don’t break my heart by leaving me. Accept Tiero’s gift.”

“Aren’t you worried the darkness that lives in his heart will change me?”

“I’ve read that a transplant patient sometimes experiences what the donor was like. But I’m not afraid of Tiero’s darkness nor should you be.

“Your light and love don’t just live in your heart. They live in your soul. They’re embedded in every single cell of your being. And if there is darkness in his heart, then it will be transformed by your goodness. Besides, you brought a lot of light into Tiero’s heart already. How could you not? Look at the man, he is giving you the ultimate sacrifice… his life for yours. If that’s not love and light and goodness, then I don’t know what is.

“Don’t be afraid of the darkness. Trust that the light will always win out.”

“Now you sound like Claudette,” she sighs. “Claudette… oh my god. She gave me a letter when we were on the cruise ship. She told me to open it on a rainy day. It’s got to be that day, but I left it at home.”

“Then it’s clearly not the right rainy day yet.”

She raises her eyebrow at me. “Your time in that ashram really made you a wise old man, didn’t it?” That makes me chuckle and, in turn, makes her smile.

“Thank you for recognizing that quality, but the old descriptor in that statement is highly inaccurate.” I wink at her. “Would you like me to impart more wisdom?”

“Yes, please, Master Yoda.”

“Darkness is a part of life. We all carry it inside us to varying degrees. If yours ever becomes too much, I will always be there to help bring you back into the light. We’re walking this road together. You and me. We’re a team.” I mean every word; it’s like a marriage vow—one I intend to keep for the rest of my life.

And after every marriage vow comes the kiss. So that’s what I do. I kiss my fiancée—thoroughly. It doesn’t matter how often we do this. Within seconds, my arousal pumps hard between us, and Ella smiles against my mouth. “I’m glad that despite all these tubes connected to me you still find me attractive.”

“Always, my Sunshine. Always.”

Chapter Fifty

Gualtiero

Mateoenterstheroomwith a deep frown on his face. “What is it?” I ask as he lets himself fall into the chair beside my bed.

“Uberto found a few matches with your blood type in Rome, but they’re all over fifty with existing health problems. The young healthy ones all seem—”

“Call him off. We don’t need to find a donor anymore,” I interrupt him.

“What? Why?”

I look at my brother, the only family I have left, and my heart soars. I love him. From the moment he was born, I loved him. And from the instant he could walk as a wobbly toddler, he’s been my shadow… loyal, dependable, watching my back—the only person I could ever fully trust in this business. My soul is heavy, having to leave him behind, but there is no other way.

“It’s time to step out of my shadow and shine, Teo,” I say, and he looks at me as if I have lost my mind. But since I made my decision, my thinking has never been clearer. My path is mapped out, and more importantly, I’m resolved to walk it.

“What is that supposed to mean?” he asks, a little confused. But I see the moment it dawns on him, and vulnerability creeps into his voice. He knows… he can sense what I’m about to say. “No. Just no.”

My eyes are focused solely on him, my little brother, the best brother anybody could ever ask for.

I’m sorry to hurt you like this.

“I've decided to give my heart to Ella.”

He looks at me as if not understanding what I just said, even though he does. There’s only silence.

“Say again?” he asks, his voice trembling.

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