Page 68 of Merciless Desires

“Okay, maybe just a little one. Seven or eight carats. Something subtle.” I shrugged. “Platinum setting with sparkly diamonds surrounding the big one.”

“You haven’t given it much thought, have you?”

“Are you kidding? It’s all I thought about since the moment you started teaching me English.”

“Is that why you asked me to say will you marry me in English at one of your first lessons?”

“You remember that?” I giggled, remembering how sexy I thought those words were coming out of his luscious lips. “I guess I wasn’t so subtle.”

“Not at all.”

“I was an awkward girl then.”

“There’s nothing awkward about you now.” He brought my knuckles to his mouth and grazed them along his lips. “Cinzia, mi vuoi sposare?”

“Si, but ask me in English.” The tears streamed down my face faster than I could wipe them. “Like you taught me.”

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes.” I knelt down and faced him. “With all of my heart and soul, you have me, Gio. I love you, and I know you’ll make the most amazing husband.” I took his hand and placed it against my stomach. “Our little poppy seed loves you too, and you’re already a perfect dad. Protective, fierce, and loyal. You have so much to give our baby.”

“We have so much to give our baby.” His eyes filled with tears that I never thought I’d see from him.

“Your emotional side is very sexy.” I swiped my thumb under his eye and captured a tear.

“Don’t tell anyone about that.” He kissed my wet cheeks. “I love you.”

Gio

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I wasn’t a man of faith, but I said a silent prayer to anyone who would listen to help me be the husband and father that my wife and child deserved.

Within minutes, I would be standing at the ornate altar that Janero had carved for the ceremony and delivered to his Italian estate. I would stand before him, our families, and most of all my beautiful bride, and vow my life to her. She would do the same in return. In a few short months, we would welcome our first child into the world. Our future held so many possibilities.

Romero strolled in the room wearing his fine Italian tux, looking more like a model than a mob boss. “Are you ready?” he asked. “Luciana said the bridesmaids are making their way to the ceremony.”

“I’m ready.”

“Nervous? I’ll be by your side, the same way you always are for me.” He patted my back. “Rocco will be right there too.”

“I’m not nervous about marrying her. I just want to be a good husband.”

“I get it,” Romero said. “I wasn’t the best husband when I married Lu, but look at us now. If marriage has taught me one important lesson, it's that you have to learn to compromise and give in even when you know you’re right.”

“You’re a true romantic.” I slipped on my jacket. “A real gem.”

“Lu thinks so, and Cinzia knows you are too.” He opened the door and motioned toward the hallway. “Come on, let’s get you hitched.”

As we made our way to the gardens of the estate, Rocco joined us.

“How are you holding up?” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “You ready to do this?”

“Yeah.” I took a deep breath. “I am. Thanks for being here.”

“Where else would I be?” Rocco smiled.

When the harp began to strum some classical music, my brothers and I walked out and took our place in front of the guests. Janero spared no expense for this wedding. Flowers, lights, ice sculptures, musicians, flowing champagne—you name it, we had it.

“There’s a lot of people here.” I gazed around, recognizing some faces as family and associates, but there were others who were new to me.

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