Tears slipped down my cheek, and I let out a soft laugh. “You are unbelievable.” I looked at the ring, the weight of it sinking in, then lifted my gaze to him. “It fits.”
“It does.” His fingers traced my cheek. “And now you’re going to make your vows from the letter you left.”
“Letter?” My brows pulled together as the memory surfaced.
“Be careful how you say them,” he warned.
I let out a small chuckle, already knowing what he wanted. Fine. I’d give him what he wanted because somehow, he calmed my heart.
“I vow to trust you and love you,” I said.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Is this where I kiss the bride?”
“You only proposed, not married me.”
“Don’t ruin the moment,” he declared, and before I could breathe, he pulled me closer. His mouth crashed onto mine in a deep, punishing kiss that stole my balance. His arm locked around my waist and dragged me closer until every inch of air between us disappeared. The world tilted. The sound, the crowd, and the tension all fell away. His kiss was fierce and deliberate, burning every fear and silence that had kept us apart.
I didn’t care what he had planned, or that my plan with Dmitri had failed. None of it mattered anymore. He was here, and I wanted nothing in the world to take that away from me.
He pulled back, his breath brushing over my lips. “You look so fucking beautiful.”
I didn’t have the chance to respond before his mouth found mine again. My hands clung to him without thought, every part of me knowing this was where I was meant to be. I had never wanted anything more in my life than this man.
He broke the kiss just enough to speak. “I’m sorry I put you into this.”
My chest rose and fell. I shook my head. “I’m fine now.”
His thumb traced my lower lip. He looked at me as if he was searching through everything I had hidden, all the hurt I had tried to carry alone. He would never know how much it took to reach this moment, but it was worth it.
“Were you scared?”
“A little.” I smiled. “But I knew it was worth it.”
He kissed me again, just a soft touch this time. “I will make it up to you.” His voice held a quiet promise. “I will.”
I nodded and leaned my forehead against his. My eyes drifted shut, his warmth sinking into me. There was a quiet relief that came with knowing I wasn’t alone. And I wanted that feeling to stay.
“Let’s go home.”
“Home sounds perfect,” he said, sliding his hand into mine. His grip was firm, the kind that told me I was safe.
He guided me down the stage. Chairs scraped against the floor as the crowd shifted. His men closed in, waiting for orders. My eyes caught Savina standing by the door, a calm smile playing on her lips. I couldn’t tell if it was reassurance, but I still didn’t know what had happened to Vincenzo’s relatives. I wondered if Savina was safe in all this.
Rodion stopped in front of a man who looked familiar. His posture and his face pulled a memory.
“How many more minutes?” Rodion asked.
“Approximately forty,” the man replied. His deep accent broke through, and I immediately remembered where I had heard him. That night, I argued with Vincenzo by the roadside. He was also the stranger who handed me a flower in the café.
“I know you,” I said, my voice rising before I could help it.
The man turned to me. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. I’m Pavel.”
“She didn’t ask your name,” Rodion cut in, and I ignored him.
“Back at that café,” I said, my voice carrying a hint of laughter. “You were the one selling flowers. That was you, wasn’t it?”
He smiled, lowering his head slightly. “That’s right.”