The silence that follows is suffocating. I stare at Romeo, my heart pounding, because I didn't know he was planning this. I didn't know he was prepared to give up everything for us.
Dante stands up slowly, and I brace myself for his response. For him to tell Romeo he's making a mistake. That he's throwing away his legacy for a woman who isn't worth it. But instead, he says: "You really love her."
Romeo nods. "More than anything."
"And you're prepared to walk away from everything for her?"
"Yes."
Dante nods slowly, and something in his expression shifts. "Good."
Romeo blinks. "What?"
"I said good." Dante's voice is firm. "That's the answer I was hoping for."
"I don't understand?—"
"Romeo." Dante shakes his head. "Did you really think I would let you throw away your life for someone who wasn't worthy of it? Did you think I wouldn't want to know she was strong enough to be part of this family?"
He turns to look at me. “You killed a man to protect your child. You stood by my son when it would have been easier to walk away. You've shown more strength than most of the men in my organization." He pauses. "You're not a liability, Savannah. You're exactly what Romeo needs."
The words settle over me, and I don't know what to say.
"Which brings me to this." Dante reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small velvet box. "Romeo, there's something you need to do."
Romeo looks confused. "What?"
"You need to ask her properly." Dante's voice is firm. "You need to do this right."
And suddenly I understand what's happening.
Romeo's eyes widen, and he looks at me, then back at his father. "I—I was going to?—"
"When?" Dante's voice is almost amused. "After you recovered? After you dealt with Edgar Beauregard? After you finished building your case?"
"I—" Romeo stops, and I can see the realization dawning on his face. He turns to me, and there's something almost sheepish in his expression. "I never actually asked you, did I?"
"No," I say quietly. "You didn't."
"I just—I assumed—" He's struggling now, and it's so unlike him that I almost want to laugh. "After everything that happened, after the baby, I thought?—"
"You thought I'd just go along with it?" I raise an eyebrow. "That I'd marry you without you actually asking?"
"I—yes?" He winces. "That sounds terrible when you say it like that."
"It is terrible." But I'm smiling now, because this is so exactly Romeo. Obsessive and so used to getting what he wants that he forgot to actually ask for it.
"Savannah." He takes my hand in both of his, and I can see him trying to sit up straighter despite the pain. "I'm sorry. I should have asked. I should have?—"
"Yes," I interrupt. "You should have."
"So let me ask now." His voice is steadier than before. "Savannah Beauregard, will you marry me? Will you let me spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of you?"
I look at him—this dangerous, obsessive, complicated man who nearly died protecting me. Who's finally asking instead of demanding.
"Yes." The word comes out as a whisper. "Yes, I'll marry you."
The smile that breaks across his face is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
