Page 285 of Merciless Desires

I was on one knee, ready to give Marcella the proposal she deserved, or come as close to it as I could.

“Matteo…”

“Marcella Luisa Moretti,” I began, beaming up at her as she stopped in front of me. “You’ve shown me that love isn’t weakness. It’s strength, it’s light in the darkness, and it’s something you’ve made me realize that I deserve. I know we’ll exchange real vows next week, but this is my vow to you right now. I vow to always protect you, comfort you, and love you with every ounce of my being. I vow to give you everything you desire and more, and if you will accept my proposal…” I opened the ruby ring box. “I am yours to command, because you are mine to worship.”

“Certo che sì!” she yelled.

Hell yes.

I stood and plucked the ring from the velvet box, tucking the empty box into my pocket. Marcella raised her shaky left hand, and I guided the temporary ring off her finger, slipping her custom, permanent ring where it belonged.

Marcella grabbed my face and kissed me, her tears wetting our lips, but they were the only tears I ever wanted to have my girl cry. My heart swelled as I held her tightly, knowing I would never let her go.

Chapter Twenty-Six

MARCELLA

Gisella tore off a piece of my veil and held it up with a smile. “For good luck.”

“I love you, Gisella.”

My sister grinned. “I love you too.” She pressed her ring finger below her eye and looked up. “I seriously don’t want to cry and fuck up my makeup.”

I breathed a laugh. “You’re totally going to cry.”

Gisella inhaled quickly. “Zitto! So will you!”

There was a gentle knock at the dressing room door. Mamma Cortese crept in carrying a small white gift bag, stopping with a gasp once she looked at me in my wedding dress.

“Cara…” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “You look stunning. An absolute goddess.”

She crossed the room and gently pulled me into a hug.

I squeezed her tightly. “Thank you.”

When she leaned back, her warm brown eyes glistened with unshed tears that she blinked back. Mamma Cortese held up the white gift bag, peering down at it.

“Present from my Matteo.”

Two blue boxes sat at the bottom of the bag, along with an envelope that I pulled out.

“Read that last,” Mamma Cortese said and pulled the smaller blue box from the bag. “This…is your something borrowed, cara. They are the earrings I wore when I married Vittore. I guess they can be your something old too.” She chuckled and opened the box.

Inside was a glistening pair of delicate diamond stud earrings. They were perfect.

“They’ve been cleaned, and they’re not gold. I know that’s bad luck.” Mamma Cortese pulled the back off one earring and held it up. “Would you like to wear them?”

“Of course,” I gushed, pushing my hair back to let her put the earrings on me.

She once again looked as if she was going to cry and pulled the longer box from the bag. “This one next.”

A gorgeous diamond pendant necklace that matched perfectly with the earrings laid against soft blue velvet inside the second box. I gasped at the sight of it, and Mamma Cortese grinned, carefully lifting the necklace, letting it sparkle in the warm lighting.

Gisella lifted my hair and veil to make it easier for Mamma Cortese to clasp the necklace, the pendant falling perfectly just below my collarbone.

“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling the sting of tears myself.

Mamma Cortese shook her head. “The earrings are from me, but the necklace is from Matteo.”

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