I want to give this woman the world, everything that I am, and everything that I’m not. “I love you.”
A shocked laugh slips from her because I just interrupted the priest.
The room fills with laughter, and Silvio chimes in, “Rushing to get to the good stuff, are you, T?”
He has no idea.Well, he actually does, and he gives me a smirk when I glance his way.
Father McDowal hikes his brows at me, suppressing a smile. “May I continue?”
“By all means.”
He leads us through the required, standard parts of the service, and my eyes don’t leave Gina’s as I state my vows.
“Gina, you are indeed my sun,il mio sole. The light and warmth I was missing, and the light and warmth that I can’t live without. You’re my world, my everything, and you complete me in ways that I can’t even begin to understand.
“With you, I’m the man I dreamed I could be. This family ring”—I release her hand to run the knuckles of my hand that wears my Don ring along her cheek—“is symbolic, each quadrant of my family’s crest meaning something. The tree with deep roots represents legacy and loyalty. The interlocking rings mean unity, alliance, and oaths. The rose entwined with olive branches is a symbol of sacrifice and mercy, and the lion’s head is all about power, pride, and protection.”
I cup her cheek, tilting her head back as I step closer. “Before you, I believed the lion ruled his kingdom, and that the kingdom came before any one’s desire. But I was wrong. You, my queen, will always come first. And calling what I rule over a mere kingdom does not do it the justice of what I will build with you by my side.
“An empire is what we will build together. One that uses its power to bring some goodness and light to this dark world. One that I will make hard, ruthless decisions while still being fair. One that will create a legacy for our children to be proud of and who will lead after I’m no longer here on this Earth.” Her eyes shimmer with tears as she stares up at me. “Because I don’t just love you, Gina; I’m obsessed with you, and I need you more than the world needs the sun to survive.”
“Tommaso,” she chokes as a tear slips free to run down her cheek.
I hadn’t told her that I wouldn’t be reciting the standard vows. But there was no way I couldn’t speak my heart. Every word was a simple truth.
“Tommaso…” She pauses, then takes a shaky breath. “Since the moment I woke up and stared into your eyes—your soul—even without knowing who you were, I knew I trusted you. That I loved you. I can’t remember the moment I realized I loved you—” Her voice breaks, and she closes her eyes.
When she opens them again, it’s the window to her soul. “But I know that I love you, that I feel like I fell for you the moment I looked at you. And I want nothing more than to be your sun, your light, and your queen. Your wife.”
I swear my heart flips in my chest, with her declaration of love and hearing her calling herself my wife.
This exquisite creature is about to becomemy wife.
“I want our children. I want to experience this world and everything it has to offer with you. I will always be by your side as you rule.”
Tension rises within me, likely within everyone in the room, as we all know what she’s vowing to. Everyone but Gina. However, I don’t interrupt her to explain what she’s committing to, because I’m not the hero here; I may not be entirely the villain, but whenit comes to her, I willbeanything and do everythingto keep her by my side.
“I love you, Tommaso. Forever and always. In this life and in the next.”
“The rings,” Father McDowal says softly, and I can hear the emotion that’s heavy in his voice.
Marco steps forth to hand me Gina’s rings, and Etta hands Gina mine.
When Father McDowal instructs us and recites the words we’re to say, she slips my ring back on my finger, and nothing has ever felt so right. Her delicate hand trembles in mine as I slip her wedding band and engagement ring back on.
My heart hummed in approval the first time I saw her wear my ring, but seeing it now, knowing she’s officially my wife, itroarsin approval.
Mine. She’s all fucking mine.
And I growl those words as soon as the priest pronounces us husband and wife, and I haul her into my arms, crushing my mouth to hers.
Chapter 23
Gina
Tommaso’skissfeelslikeit seals my fate. Of course, it isn’t the first time we’ve kissed, but it feels different…more final. But also, like it’s the official start of something exciting and beautiful.
I fall into him and his claiming kiss, heedless of the people around us. And when he finally breaks it, I’m dizzy, my lips swollen.
