Page 40 of The Mafia’s Fiancee

“My deepest, most secret dream was to find a glimpse of love before I would be locked into a loveless and terrible situation. I wanted to see that there was some beauty out there in the world away from my home.”

He growled. “I hate that you ever suffered under his control.”

I bet he was chanting in his mind again, reminding himself that he’d already vowed to kill my father.

And if it came to that... I’d stand by my man. It wouldn’t be a deal-breaker between me and Luke, but a solidifying sign of how far he’d go to ensure I was safe and happy.

“I only wanted to find a little hint of love.” I paused to kiss him, slipping my fingers through the silky dark hair at the base of his head. “But I hadn’t counted on meeting you and falling for you so quickly.”

“I didn’t realize how much I’d been waiting for a woman like you my whole life.”

“Even though it started so quickly between us, I mean it when I say I want this to last forever. In the good times and the bad.”

He chuckled lightly, lifting my hand. Spinning the ring so the ruby gleamed outward, he smiled down at me with such a look of adoration that I wished he’d never tire of cherishing me. “I think you accepting this ring implies you’re interested in a forever with me.”

“I am. If you’re a mafia king, then I’ll be your queen. If you step back and hide your identity for good...”

That’s not a bad idea. If he could throw everyone off by never exposing himself as Marlo’s son, that would be safer.

“Then you’ll be at my side,” he finished for me.

We kissed, then rested our brows against each other. Love transpired between us, snapping and sparking like a live wire bonding us.

“I swear it to you, Emmalina,” he vowed, “we will figure this out together. Nothing will stand between us. Not now, not ever.”

I hope so. I nodded at him. I really, truly hope so.