Page 80 of Wicked Knight 2

“He managed to keep me on my toes even then.” He chuckled.

“Where are you taking me?”

“He’s waiting for you.” He offered me his hand.

I took it and climbed into the back seat. By the time Alfred turned right onto Central Park West, I was a complete mess. I wanted this nightmare to be over. I wanted a new start with Luca.

“Bow Bridge.” Alfred stopped just before 74th Street and shifted his body to beam at me.

“Thank you.”

The minute Alfred drove away, I glanced down at my scrubs. I had been in such a hurry to see Luca, I didn’t think to change into something more date appropriate. I supposed when it came to Luca, norms didn’t apply. I trudged down the walk path that led to the bridge. As soon as he came into view, I fought the urge to run to him. I was afraid he would disappear, or someone would come and take him away from me once again.

“You remember.” I asked when he was within earshot.

“The good and the bad.” He pushed away from the railing. “I was afraid you wouldn’t show.”

“What would be the point of that? Destiny would only find another way to bring us together again.” I smiled at the ground. “And also, you’re stubborn as hell.”

“I was prepared to grovel for years if necessary.” He reached for my face and slid the pad of his thumb over my lips.

“You call this groveling, Professor?” I braced my hands on my hips. “You’re not even on your knees.”

“True.” He stalked toward me as his gaze surveyed my eyes. When our bodies were inches apart, he dropped to one knee, and fished out a black box from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “The time I was lost in the dark, a feeling I didn’t understand kept me grounded, pointing me toward truth north. The minute you came back into my life, I realized that feeling was my love for you. If I met you a thousand times, different lives, different versions of me, I do believe I would fall in love with you every goddamn time.”

“Are you asking me something?” I wiped tears off my cheek.

“Would you marry me, Donata Salvatore?”

As if I could ever say no to Luca Gallo. My Luca. “I have loved you all my life, Luca. Of course, I’ll marry you.” I threw my arms around his neck as he rose to his feet and did a half turn with me in his arms.

“I love you, Donata. Always.” He bent down to kiss my lips.

“I love you too.” I got lost in his hazel eyes. Luca was all mine, and I was his. “Wait. What about Maxim? Even if Dimitri made him up, I’m pretty sure that wedding was real.” I cupped his smooth cheek.

“Maxim is dead. And I don’t mean figuratively. He was Dimitri’s oldest son. He was killed two years ago. I suppose I was the replacement.” I shook my head. “Your marriage to him is void. It was technically never real.”

“Gross. He made me marry a dead man. Papa was demented.” I gripped the lapels of his suit jacket. “I’m so sorry you got caught up in his craziness.”

“It’s all over now.” Luca took the three-carat pink diamond from its box and slid it into my finger. “Until forever,” he whispered. “Let’s go home, Donata.”

Home.

We’d been wandering aimlessly for years. Our time to go home and live our love was finally here. I slipped my arm around his waist, and together we strolled down the path back to Central Park West.

“Can I ask you something?” I glanced up at him.

“Anything.” He kissed the top of my head.

“The first assignment. You wanted me to wear that dress and meet you in Central Park. What were you planning to do?” Butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

“Hmm.” He growled in my ear. “Teach you a lesson you would never forget.”

My breath hitched.

Epilogue

Donata

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