He placed the first parcel in my hands, and I felt his gaze burning into me, heavy with anticipation.
I blinked at him, the words sinking in, rattling something deep inside me. “My father! I still can’t believe he’s alive! All this time, I thought Tristan had killed him. But when I saw him through my dagger...” My voice faltered, thick with emotion. “It felt impossible.”
Roman’s fingers ghosted over my cheek, his touch grounding, reassuring. “Yes, amore, he’s alive and misses you dearly.”
With trembling fingers, I peeled apart the red silk, my heart pounding as I revealed the contents beneath.
A box of bullets for my Glock.
A shaky, breathless laugh left me. “Oh! What a perfect gift! I was nearly out of bullets!”
Roman grinned, looking pleased with himself.
I set the box beside me, eager now, adrenaline thrumming beneath my skin. “What else do you have?”
His eyes sparkled with something unreadable as he reached for the next package.
“Extend your hand,” he instructed.
I did.
His warm, calloused fingers placed a small, weighty object into my palm, then curled my fingers around it, holding my hand for a beat too long.
“This was also your father’s suggestion,” he murmured, his voice dipping into something softer, more reverent. “Jack is an extraordinary man. I enjoyed him greatly.”
Tears pricked my eyes at the thought of Roman meeting my father, the two most important men in my life existing in the same space, speaking, planning, and choosing something for me together.
I clutched the bundle to my chest, unable to hold back a watery smile. “Whatever it is… I already love it.”
Roman’s grin softened, but his eyes blazed with something deeper, something timeless. “Open it, my love.”
I unclasped my fingers with exquisite care, peeling away the silk wrapping.
Two gold bands—one larger, one smaller—gleamed against the fabric.
A ragged breath left me as a tear slipped free, landing silently on the silk.
“What… what are these?” I whispered as I touched them.
Roman picked up the smaller band, turning it between his fingers before holding it close to my eyes.
“Read the inscription.”
I blinked against the blur of emotion, focusing on the delicate, impossibly perfect etching inside the ring.
Forever yours, Roman.Forever yours, my beautiful flame.
A surprised gasp escaped me, a choked sound of pure, aching love.
“Oh, Roman…” My voice broke, and I pressed a hand to my mouth.
Roman’s gaze burned into me, his eyes molten with devotion, as he took my left hand and reverently, slid the ring onto my finger.
His thumb brushed over my knuckles, his touch branding me, claiming me in a way that made my breath hitch.
“We are destined to find one another, my love.” His voice was more than words—a vow, an unshakable truth, a promise defying time itself. “In this life… and the next.”
A tremor of pure, undiluted love coursed through me.
