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He turns his head slightly, pressing a gentle kiss to the palm of my hand. “For you, Alexis,” he murmurs. “Always for you.”
In that moment, I’m struck by the realization that our journey, our bond, has been a transformative one—not just for me, but for Damian as well. He has shed his armor, his defenses, and in doing so has allowed me to see the depth of the man he truly is.
Damian deserves to know the truth. I can no longer keep this secret from him, not when he’s proven time and time again that he is my unwavering rock, my fiercest protector.
Summoning my courage, I lift my head to meet his gaze. “Damian?” I murmur, my voice soft yet resolute.
He looks down, his eyes filled with warmth and adoration. “Yes?”
Taking a deep breath, I hold his steady gaze. “I’m pregnant.”
36
ALEXIS
The minute the words leave my lips, I see Damian’s expression shift from one of concern to utter joy. Before I can blink, he’s sweeping me up into his arms and jumping off the bed, spinning me in delighted circles.
“A baby?” he exclaims, his eyes shining with an unbridled happiness. “Alexis, this is… holy fuck, this is incredible!”
I can’t help but laugh, even as a wave of relief washes over me. How could I have ever doubted his reaction? This man—who has proven time and time again to be my steadfast protector—is overjoyed at the prospect of starting a family with me.
He suddenly stops spinning me and gently sets me down. “I need to be careful,” he murmurs. “I don’t want to jostle the baby.”
I laugh again as his hands come to rest reverently on my abdomen. “You can’t jostle the baby,” I tell him. “He or she is pretty well protected in me.”
“She,” Damian corrects me, his voice thick with emotion. “But I don’t want to do anything that could hurt you or our baby.”
I’m struck by the depth of his devotion, the fierce protectiveness that radiates from him. This man—this Don of a powerful Mafia organization—is utterly captivated by the thought of our growing family.
And he’s also convinced this baby is a girl. God help anyone who tries to harm her.
“I love you, Alexis,” Damian breathes, his forehead coming to rest against mine. “With all that I am, I love you. And now…” His gaze flicks downward, a tender smile playing at his lips. “Now we have a child to love, too.”
The confession—so raw and genuine—causes tears to well in my eyes. For so long, I’ve yearned to hear those words, to feel the weight of them as they settle into the very depths of my soul. To have Damian declare his love so freely is a gift I had scarcely dared to hope for.
“I love you too, Damian,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “So much.”
The words spill forth, unbidden, as a few stray tears slip down my cheeks. This man, this fierce, unyielding force in my life, has somehow found a way to crack open the walls I’d so carefully constructed around my heart.
His eyes widen with delight, and in the next moment, I’m enveloped in his strong, familiar embrace. As I melt into his arms, I feel a weight lift from my shoulders, a burden I hadn’t even realized I was carrying. Damian’s unwavering devotion, the way he cherishes me, is a balm to my battered soul.
He pulls back slightly, his eyes shining with emotion. “Alexis,” he murmurs, his voice thick with affection, “now that we have finally said we love each other and with a child on the way…” He pauses, a boyish grin spreading across his face. “Will you marry me?”
The proposal takes me by surprise, but I feel a surge of warmth spread through my chest.
“Where’s my engagement ring?” I ask playfully. “A girl deserves to have a beautiful engagement ring and for the man to be on one knee.”
Damian growls, but his dark eyes dance with amusement. “I’ll get you the biggest fucking ring imaginable,” he proclaims, cupping my cheek with his rough hand. “Just say the word and we’ll go to the best jewelry store in Chicago.”
He searches my face. “So, what’s the answer? You can’t keep me waiting.”
I laugh again, my heart fluttering. “Yes, Damian. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He lets out a delighted laugh, pulling me into another fierce embrace. “You’ve made me the happiest man, Alexis,” he murmurs against my hair. “I can’t wait to call you my wife.”
As we hold each other, I can’t help but marvel at the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Just hours ago, I was facing unspeakable horrors, about to be sold to someone who would keep me a prisoner forever.
And now, here I am, pledging my life to the man I love, a child growing within me.
