Page 51 of He Found Me

“We don’t have a ring.”

“Yes, we do.” Grabbing my bag, I take out the engagement ring he bought me when I first arrived in Italy.

“But you hate this ring?”

“I ‘hated’ this ring because I love this ring. This is the ring I wanted the love of my life to get down on one knee and ask me to marry him with. This is my fairy tale ring.” Leo takes the ring from me.

“I’m no good with words. But I love you. And I promise to always protect you. Katie, please, will you do me the greatest honour and become my wife?”

Surrounded by lemon trees, this incredibly handsome, powerful man is naked and down on one knee, asking me to marry him.

“Yes, I will.”

Picking me up, he wraps me around him, kissing me with such love I feel it in my bones.

“Come on, let's get changed and go celebrate.”

Leo takes me to the first restaurant he ever took me to with incredible sea views.

“Mr. Guerra, I’m sorry I didn’t realise you were back; forgive me. One moment please, and I will have your table ready.” The restaurant manager flusters as he realises Leo's table is once again occupied like our first visit.

“No!” Leo stops him. Other staff members look over in horror. “We will sit at the bar.” Leo takes my hand and walks us over to some bar stools. He helps me get seated and then sits in front of me. Pulling my stool closers to him, I laugh.

“What is so funny.”

“Nothing.” He really has changed. Or maybe he’s always been this Leo, just very hidden.

We have a lovely evening, talking and laughing, touching and holding.

“When would you like to get married, Mrs. Guerra to be?”

“As so as possible, Mr. Guerra.” Nodding, Leo taps my glass with his.

“Cheers.”

Chapter 26

Leo

The date is set for this weekend. A little sooner than I had anticipated, but the sooner, the better. All the plans have been pushed forward; the day will go ahead just as arranged. While Katie and my mother have final dress fittings and whatever else brides and mother of the grooms do before a wedding, Marco and I have some business to attend to. Damien has informed me a delivery is to arrive at one of my warehouses in 30 minutes. Hoping it is what I expect, Marco and I pack up the car with the necessary equipment and head over there. We arrive before the delivery. My phone rings as we enter the warehouse. Damien.

“Guerra, your container should be with you shortly.”

“I trust it is what I expect.”

“That depends on your expectations, but I doubt you will be disappointed. As you are aware, the Graves were working under new leadership. Jay, or Jaxon Adams, is a highly intelligent computer expert. It seems he was hacking into organisations’ systems and blackmailing them into working alongside him. Martelé being the most recent with you as next on his list, given the trouble you have been experiencing lately. Thankfully we have managed to get the true heir to the Graves to come forward, resulting in the organisation turning Jay in to us. The issues, unfortunately, don’t end there, but for now, we trust you will tie up this loose end in a, let's say, more deserving way than mine or Josh’s morals would let us.”

“I am grateful for your generosity in this, Damien. Your hard work will be repaid. I am in your debt.”

“There is no debt to be paid, Guerra.”

“Maybe we shall work together again in the future.”

“Let’s hope not.” Damien ends the call just as the lorry rounds the corner carrying our delivery.

Marco and I watch as the forklift carefully lifts the container off the back.

“Don’t be so careful; it’s not fragile.” The driver takes the hint releasing his fork mid-air, allowing the metal container to crash to the floor, tipping over onto its side with a loud boom. Once inside the warehouse, Marco unlocks the door to the container. It opens with a loud screech. The stench that flows out is putrid. Human excrement and god knows what else. Jaxon is crouched in a corner. His arms shielding his eyes from the sudden light. He’s been in there for over 48 hours, apparently. After a moment he stands, walking towards the door, inspecting who has just released him from this prison.

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