I shuffle forward carefully, my excitement buzzing under my skin. I know I’m in Monaco. I know I am. But I also know I only packed four days’ worth of outfits, so this isn’t a permanent vacation.
“Drago, I swear to God, if you’ve brought me somewhere illegal?—”
He chuckles. “And open.” His hands lift away.
My vision floods with light, and my mouth falls open.
An infinity pool stretches out in front of me, glassy and perfect, blending into the horizon like the sea itself is spilling into it. Beyond it—blue water for miles. The sky is so bright it almost hurts.
I spin slowly, turning and turning, trying to take it all in?—
And then I see it. Not a house. A mansion.
Georgian-style pillars. Cream stone. Balconies hanging over the view like something out of a movie. The whole estate is wrapped in trees, hidden away from the world, like it’s been waiting for us.
My chest tightens.
I can’t even speak.
It’s too much. Too beautiful. Too…us.
“This is…” I whisper, my voice failing.
Drago steps beside me, watching my face like he’s reading every thought I can’t say out loud.
“This is so beautiful,” I finally breathe, blinking fast. “This is exactly the kind of place I was thinking of. Quiet but glamorous. Like we could actually breathe here.”
I look back at the house, at the pool, at the sea.
“And still a perfect home to raise our family,” I add, then let out a shaky laugh because I’m rambling. “Although… this is a lot bigger than I was thinking.”
Drago’s mouth tugs into a smile. God, he looks proud.
I turn to him, trying to pretend my heart isn’t sprinting. “I guess we could have all our friends and family over, though,” I say, wiping at the corner of my eye like I’m not about to cry. “A lot.”
He doesn’t laugh. He just studies me, like he’s making sure I mean it.
“Do you think you’d be happy living somewhere like this?” he asks quietly. “Here in Monaco?”
My eyes go wide. “Absolutely,” I say without hesitation. “As long as you’re by my side, Drago.”
Something flickers across his face like the words hit him harder than he expected. Like, he still isn’t used to being wanted for more than what he can do with his hands.
He bites his lip and takes a step closer, taking my hands in his. “This is ours.”
I giggle because I had a feeling he was going to say that. And not a single dollar has left my bank account since Enzo deposited the millions there.
“Drago,” I gasp, giving him my best fake scolding look. “That is very naughty of you.”
His eyes darken with amusement.
“What if I said no?”
His fingers trail along my cheek, gentle but possessive. Like he can’t help it. “I took a gamble,” he murmurs. “That I knew what would make you smile.”
He winks. “And I got it right.”
My laugh is soft, full of disbelief. “Of course you did.”
