“Of course.”
Enzo rushes off, inspecting each item in his room, looking unsure where to start first.
"Thank you." I squeeze Luca’s hand as Enzo explores his kingdom.
“For what?”
For everything. All of it. “For not giving up on me. For all this.”
He smiles as he leans in and kisses me. “Don’t you know, Katerina? I’m nothing without you.”
I’m not sure I deserve it, but I’ll take it. I see now that I’ve not fully understood Luca’s life in Chicago.
I doubt his siblings do either.
It’s not just the private jet and penthouse.
It’s about how those around him act.
In New York, he’s the black sheep, the exiled son.
Here, he's king.
His men straighten when he enters a room.
Their eyes lower in deference.
They hang on every word.
And it’s not out of fear.
It’s ultimate respect and reverence.
Later that night, after tucking an exhausted but ecstatic Enzo into his new racecar bed, Luca leads me to the primary suite.
The room is stunning, sleek and masculine with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of Chicago's glittering skyline.
Everything about it screams Luca.
Powerful, unapologetic, breathtaking.
"What do you think?" he asks, his arms encircling me from behind as we gaze out at the city lights.
"It's beautiful." I lean back against his chest, careful not to put too much pressure on his still sore wound.
"Change anything you want," he murmurs against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "The décor, the furniture, hell, even the penthouse if you don't like it. This is your home now too."
I turn in his arms, studying his face. "You'd let me redecorate your bachelor pad?"
His laugh is warm. "This was never a bachelor pad. Just a place I slept." His hands frame my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones. "But I've been looking at houses. Something with a yard for Enzo to run in, for our new baby to grow up in."
"Houses?" After years of living in the cottage on Dante property, always aware I was there on borrowed privilege, the idea of a real home, our home, is overwhelming.
"I want to build something permanent with you, Katerina." His gray eyes hold mine and in them I see all the love I’ve ever wanted from him. "Not just a house. A life. Everything I've built here in Chicago means nothing without you and our children to share it with."
I swallow the lump in my throat.
“And so we’re clear, I’m talking about forever. You're stuck with me, Mrs. Dante. No take-backs."
