My brows puckered then darted up when Amo got down on one knee. He pulled out a ring from his pocket and held it up between us. My lips formed an O as I stared at the beautiful piece of jewelry. It was a delicate rose gold ring with an amethyst center stone in a color that was a beautiful pinkish lilac tone. It was surrounded by smaller white diamonds.
“When I saw it in the shop window, the color of the stone reminded me of the tutu you wore when I first saw you dance in your studio.”
He shifted the ring so it caught the light and became a bit lighter in color—indeed almost my tutu.
My smile widened but my heart still felt as if it might jump out of my chest.
Amo cleared his throat and locked gazes with me. “Greta, I don’t want to spend a single day without you. I want you by my side. I’ve always admired my parents’ bond and their unwavering love, and I know our marriage will be like that. Will you marry me?”
It was the first time these words left my lips and it felt as if it marked a new beginning, wiping out the many wrong turns I’d taken in the past. I had no doubt Greta was the path I was meant to follow.
She covered her mouth with her fingers and swallowed audibly, before she finally nodded. “Yes. Yes!”
I pushed the ring on her finger, relieved when it fit perfectly. I didn’t even have it altered. I’d stumbled upon it by chance like I’d stumbled upon the gorgeous ballerina.
I pushed to my feet and wrapped my arms around Greta’s waist, lifting her off the ground with as much care as I could. Her arms snaked around my neck and we kissed.
After a while we pulled apart. “I thought maybe we can marry this May. By that time, you should be healed enough to walk down the aisle without trouble. Of course I wouldn’t mind carrying you either but I guess that’s not how you imagined your wedding day.”
Greta gave me a sheepish smile. “I never imagined my wedding.”
My eyebrows rose. “That’s a blow to my confidence.”
She laughed. “I never allowed myself to dream about it because it seemed out of reach.”
“It isn’t anymore. We can marry. Our fathers agreed on peace. The Famiglia stands behind the decision and the Camorra probably won’t doubt your father’s decision either.”
Greta narrowed her eyes in thought. “Did you have to kill many to make this happen?”
“A few had to die, but most of the Traditionalists allowed us to persuade them with certain concessions.”
“Concessions?”
I shrugged. “They cling to their traditions, hence the name. Dad agreed to make the bloody sheets obligatory once more and to put a stronger focus on arranged marriages again. The sanctity of marriage was a big point.”
“So we’ll have to present sheets after our wedding night.”
I grimaced. “It’s expected, yes. Maybe we could figure out a way around it—”
Greta gave a resolute shake of her head. “No. I don’t want an exemption. I want to show your men that I’m willing to respect their rules.” She bit her lip. “But that means you’ll have to wait before we can have sex.”
“I would have waited anyway. I want to do this right. A few more months won’t kill me.”
Greta tilted her head up and I bent down to kiss her. “Did you talk to my parents yet?”
“That’s next up on my list. I wanted to ask you first.”
“Do you want me to come with you for moral support?”
“I’ll be fine. You keep practicing so you can walk down the aisle.”
I walked out. Kiara was still in front of the door. “I’m glad you two found each other even if the way to be together was painful.”
I dipped my head in thanks. “Where can I find Remo?”
“I’ll take you to him,” Nino said, appearing out of nowhere.
I gave him a smirk. “I guess I’m not allowed to roam the mansion on my own yet?”
“You just talked to my wife alone. That’s a great show of trust.”
“You were close by.”
Nino gave me a cold smile but he didn’t look particularly unfriendly. “Some habits are difficult to lose.”
“Trust must be earned, I agree. But none of your women will ever be in danger around me.”
Nino didn’t comment but he led me into the common area of the house where most of the Falcone clan had gathered. It was a chaotic assembly. To top it off, Gemma was trying to stop her little daughter, who was laughing hysterically, from tearing at her hair.