Page 25 of Endangering the King

So, for now, this was what I’d quietly accept as my fate.

My fake fate.

I just really hoped the animosity between these two brothers ended soon.

The one good thing about all of this was that after I left, Carlo and Stefan could resume the relationship they had with each other before I ever came into the picture. I mean, yes, that made me incredibly sad. But it also made me happy to think of them back on the same side again.

I didn’t think I’d ever forgive myself if I ruined their brotherly bond forever.

“This is fucking bullshit,” Stefan spat out at his brother and strode away.

Yikes.

I guess repairing that bond wouldn’t begin tonight.

Carlo pulled out his phone and tapped at the screen. “Our driver’s here. Shall we?” he asked in an overly formal voice that made me giggle.

“We shall,” I answered back and walked along beside him.

He opened the front door and guided me through. And sure enough, there was a huge limo waiting there. The driver was already out with his hand on the back door.

Carlo thanked him in Italian and then excused him from door duty until we arrived at the ball.

Of course, Carlo wanted to be in charge of the door.

He helped me—and my huge dress get into the limo. Once I was in, I moved over to make room for him. “Maybe next time you could get me a smaller ballgown?”

The smile on Carlo’s face made my heart explode. “No,” he leaned into me and touched his lips to mine, “next time, your dress will be even bigger.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Whatever.”

He chuckled and opened the jacket of his tux. I wasn’t fully paying attention. So when he presented me with a black velvet box—a small black velvet box—I gasped and moved back.

“What is that?” I asked, even though I had a good idea what it was.

Carlo picked up my hand and set the soft box inside. “It’s for you.”

My lungs weren’t working. But somehow, I was able to say, “That’s okay, Carlo. The dress and shoes were more than enough.” I tried to hand it back to him, but he frowned.

“We’re engaged, Giselle,” he stated, plain as day.

“We aren’t.”

He nodded and turned his body more toward me. “Yes, in my world, we are. You need to wear the ring.” His eyes landed on the black box—which he’d just confirmed held an engagement ring.

The velvet box in my hand shook, and I found it impossible to breathe. My heart raced, and I felt weak.

“Christ, give it to me,” he said as he pulled the box from my hand. Carlo opened it with one flick of his thumb.

Holy crap.

The huge ass diamond almost blinded me. He picked up my left hand and kissed the back of my fingers. And then he slid the ring onto my finger.

He looked at it and made a growling noise in his throat. “Fucking perfect.” His eyes rose to mine—and the intense look in them made my heart beat even faster. “Just like everything else about you.”

Gosh.

This man.

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