I open the light blue box, and the platinum princess cut diamond engagement ring sparkles in the light. “Mi vuoi sposare? Will you marry me?”
Her hand flies to her mouth as the other palms my jaw. “Yes! In a heartbeat.”
I smile as exhilaration settles in my veins, and I place the ring on her finger. Rising, I pick her up by her waist and kiss her as cheers and applause erupt from our guests. “Did you know?” I whisper in her ear.
“I had a feeling you were planning something when you gave me the gown, but before that, no. You’ve made me the happiest girl in the world. Ti amo.” I love you.
“And I’m the luckiest guy. Ti amo così tanto.” I love you so much.
“So this is our engagement party?”
I place her back on her feet, but she keeps her arms hooked around my neck. And it’s as if we’re alone in the room because we only have eyes for each other, so I unabashedly caress her sides because I can’t stop touching at least some part of her. “Well, that’s your choice. It can be our engagement party or our wedding. If you’d rather go back to the States and plan an entire wedding, that’s fine by me, but if you want to get married here in Venice, right now, that’s also possible.” I rest my forehead against hers as Fallon’s eyes widen.
“I would love to get married here.” Her nose scrunches up slightly. “I don’t really want to plan a wedding, and with my parents gone, it would cast a dark shadow over it anyway. But now, now I feel good, and everyone’s already here.” Her tone rises with joy.
Do I know my girl or what? I knew she wouldn’t want to be bothered with the hassle of planning a wedding.
“Then, dolcezza, we’re getting married now,” I announce and hold up our entwined fingers while our guests rise and toast.
“Salute!” Bless you!
The priest steps onto the podium right in front of us and starts the ceremony, and of course, I have platinum wedding bands in my pocket with our names and the date we met engraved on them. We haven’t disentangled our hands and stand opposite one another, neither of us looking at the priest, but only at each other. How this woman could’ve captured my heart and soul so completely, I will never understand, but every day I’m grateful that I found her.
When it’s time to say our vows, I take out the wedding band and slide it onto her ring finger. “Dolcezza, you’re the one person who’s given my restless soul a home. You’ve given me something I never knew I was searching for, you’ve given me solace, and you’re the only person with whom I can just be. When your eyes cry, my heart hurts. When your soul is happy, mine is content. There is an invisible tie that has bonded us together since the day we met. You are my life, and I promise to love you for the rest of our lives and beyond.” I almost go ahead and kiss her but stop my movement when I realize she has to say her vows. As I hand over the ring, a small tear leaks from her eye, and I thumb it away tenderly.
She places the ring on my finger and inhales deeply. “Luca, you are the one I’ve been looking for. You have been there for me at my worst and at my best, and your love has put me back together. Your love has healed me. I love the way you love me. I live for the way you love me, and I promise to love you for the rest of our lives and beyond.” Her amber irises fill with expectation of the wonderful new journey we’re embarking on.
Neither of us is afraid of our all-consuming love anymore. We embrace it wholeheartedly.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
We both smile, and I grab her waist and crush her to me as her fingers weave through my hair. She angles her head, and I press my lips to hers several times, tipping her back while I whisper, “Mrs. DeMiliano, onorerò quel nome per sempre.” I will honor that name forever.
The end of Fallon and Luca.
But not the end of the Chicago Syndicate series. The story of Adriano and Camilla will continue in For Adriano, coming in 2015.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23393333-for-adriano
Currently, I’m working on a Dark Romance Concussion, stand alone, coming in the first half of 2015.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23393385-concussion
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Soraya Naomi
First, I have to thank Renee, my friend, my American editor – the one that helps with the Americanisms. I’m incredibly happy I met you. One day, we shall meet in person. I also want to apologize to Rick, Eric, Ethan, and Evan for hogging your wife and mother’s time.
Second, I want to thank Camilla. Without you my Mafia men’s Italian would be based on Google Translate, and we both know how wrong Google Translate can be. Grazie per il tuo aiuto entusiasta ed il tuo input. Thank you for your enthusiastic assistance and input.
Third, thank you to the best beta reader an author could ask for, my mother, Claudia, who has found every plothole and helped me form and shape this story.
Fourth, the love of my life, Lief, who supports me always in every endeavor. The only man I know who doesn’t mind being with a woman that never cleans and cooks. Only you can handle me, and only I can handle you.
A huge thank you to all the bloggers, reviewers, and my street team who took a chance on this Indie author with For Fallon and continue to support me.
Thank you to you for reading Luca and Fallon’s story.
For Luca (Chicago Syndicate Book 2) Page 27
