Page 110 of Blood Vows

“No, I’m not.” He took the ring from the box and then stopped. For once, he wanted to ask correctly—not give orders or make decisions for her.

“Elena Romano.” Her smile trembled. “I love you.”

“I know,” she breathed.

“You're difficult,” he said.

“So are you,” she countered.

“You argue about everything,” he went on.

“Mostly with you,” she said.

“You never listen,” he insisted.

“I listen. I just don't obey,” she said.

He smiled. “Exactly.” Then his expression softened. “You walked into my life as a suspect.” Her eyes filled. “You became my responsibility.” Her smile widened. “And somehow turned into my everything.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and Dante wiped it away. “I don't want your money.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“I don't want your empire,” he said.

“Good, because I got rid of it,” she teased.

“I just want you.” She drew in a shaky breath. “So I'm asking.” He lowered himself onto one knee, and Elena covered her mouth. Dante looked up at her. “Will you marry me?”

She laughed through tears. “Yes.”

His chest felt like a weight had lifted from it. “Yeah?”

“Yes, Dante.” He slid the ring onto her finger, and it was a perfect fit. Of course it was, because Marco had helped with the size. Dante would deny that until death, though.

Elena pulled him up and kissed him, and he wrapped his arms around her. When they finally separated, she looked down at the ring. “My father would have hated how smug you look right now.” Dante glanced toward Antonio’s grave.

“Probably.”

Elena smiled. “No.” Her voice softened. “I think he would've liked you.”

Dante swallowed. “Maybe.”

“He trusted you with me.” That would never stop meaning something to either of them.

Dante kissed her forehead. “He shouldn't have.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Because I'm keeping you,” he said.

Her expression turned amused. “You really learned nothing about the ownership issue.”

“Absolutely nothing,” he breathed. She laughed, and Dante thought that might be the best sound he had ever heard. They walked toward the car together with no war waiting, no blood debt to pay, and no empire deciding their future. It was just them.

Dante had spent his life believing blood was the strongest vow a person could make. He’d been wrong. Blood could force loyalty. Fear could force obedience. Power could force almost anything. But love only mattered when it was chosen. Elena had chosen him, and Dante would spend the rest of his life making sure she never regretted it.

The End

What’s coming next from K.L.? You won’t want to miss Sealed in Blood (Crimson Empire Mafia Book 3) coming this November!