Page 128 of Crazed

"I won't," I reply.

He pecks me on the lips. "Good girl. Let's get in the shower." He pats me on the ass.

I go into the bathroom and turn on the shower. When I spin, Massimo is naked and down on one knee. He's holding the most enormous ring I've ever seen. The flawless, sparkling diamond sits high on top of an intricate band. Platinum, yellow gold, and rose-gold metals twist around each other with the same colored gems filling different shapes. I've never seen a piece of jewelry so detailed. I gape at it, unable to close my mouth or stop staring.

Massimo's voice tears my eyes off the stunning piece. He takes my hand and claims, "The moment I saw you, I had to have you. I knew you were the one. It was like my whole life unfolded in front of me. Our first kiss, I thought Thor himself struck me with a lightning bolt. No one, and I mean no one, dolce, ever affected me how you did."

Tears fill my eyes. I blink, and they overflow, dripping down my cheeks.

He continues, "You're everything to me. And I promise you that I'll never lose sight of that if you marry me. I'll protect you, worship you, and love you until I die. If anyone ever tries to hurt you, I'll kill them. Hell, all they have to do is think about harming you, and I'll take them out. The same goes for our babies. And all I ask is the same from you. Have me be your everything now until we die."

"You are my everything," I choke out, putting my shaking hand on his cheek.

"Then marry me. Tell me you'll marry me."

"I thought I already did."

He grins, but it's blurry through my tears. "Say it again."

"Yes, I'll marry you," I affirm.

He slides the ring on my finger. My eyes dart between it and him, and he says in a relieved voice, "Thank God it fits."

I laugh, and he rises. He picks me up and spins me then sets me on my feet and kisses me until I'm breathless and he's hard.

"When did you get this?" I ask, unable to take my eyes off the exquisite details of the ring.

"I met with Ettore and told him what I wanted him to design."

"When?"

That vulnerable expression I love so much pops onto his face. "Shortly after I met you."

More flutters erupt. I whisper, "Really?"

He nods, kissing me again. "I always knew you were the one for me."

I sniffle then open my mouth but shut it.

"What is it?" he asks.

I close the bathroom door then question, "Why did you lie and say you knew what Leo wanted me to do all along?"

He cups the side of my head and strokes his thumb over my cheek. "You're the most important person in my life."

"You're mine," I reply.

"My family used to be number one. Now they're second. And I told you I'd take care of them, and they'd love you. That was the easiest way of doing it. Since I doubt you're going to rat me out, I think our secret is safe," he declares, winking at me.

I put my arms around his shoulders and hug him. "Thank you. I love you so much."

He kisses the top of my head. "I love you, dolce."

"Three minutes," Pina shouts.

Massimo groans, yelling, "You're a pain in my ass, Pina!"

"Unlike you, Tristano doesn't like it when other men—or women—comment on my ass," she calls back.

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