Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
DOMINIC
When we finally get back to the estate, I lead Rosalia straight up to our suite. I don't feel victorious. Dante may be rotting in a black site and the Council may be silenced, but the reality of how close I came to losing her still hangs heavy in my chest.
I uncork a bottle of vintage red, pour two glasses, and hand one to her as we sit together on the edge of the plush sofa.
"Dante is gone," I tell her softly, looking into her eyes. "The files are completely safe, and no one is ever going to touch your inheritance again. It's over, Rosalia."
Rosalia takes a quiet sip, staring down at the dark liquid in her glass. "I really don't want Luciano's money, Dominic."
A subtle weight lifts from my shoulders, and I give her a faint smile. "I'm glad to hear that. What would you like to do with it, then?"
She looks up at me, her gaze clear and brimming with purpose. "I want to use it to fund a private clinic—the one where this story first began.”
She stares pointedly at me to be sure I understand. I nod.
“I want to make sure women with no safe choices can find real help,” she continues. “Without ever being owned or controlled by powerful men."
My chest swells with a quiet reverence for the woman sitting in front of me. I reach out, cupping her cheek, and press a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. "I am so damn proud of you."
A genuine smile breaks across her face, bright and beautiful. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."
I playfully roll my eyes, shaking my head. "Please. You did the heavy lifting, sweetheart."
Without another word, I reach over and gently take her wine glass from her fingers, setting both our drinks down on the table.
She tilts her head, watching me closely. "What are you doing?"
Instead of answering, I take her by the hand, leading her toward the large king-sized bed. I guide her down onto the soft mattress, following her down until I'm hovering over her, supporting my weight on my forearms.
"Rosalia," I murmur, my voice dropping, thick with an emotion I can no longer contain. "I love you. So much. You're the light of my world."
Tears immediately spring to her eyes, shimmering under the soft bedroom lights. "I love you too, Dominic."
I trace the pad of my thumb over her cheekbone, wiping away a stray tear.
"If you want out of this marriage... if you want to walk away from all of this, I will work it out for you.
I will set you free, even if it kills me.
But if you stay... I want you to really choose me.
Not because of an arrangement, but because you want me.
Because you trust that I would be the best husband to you. "
She lets out a soft laugh, her hands coming up to frame my face, her eyes shining with absolute certainty. "I choose you, Dominic. Wholeheartedly."
A massive wave of relief hits me, but before I can speak, she presses her fingers against my lips.
"However," she adds, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "I have new rules."
I lean down, ignoring her hands, and begin trailing warm, lazy kisses up the sensitive skin of her neck.
Rosalia lets out a soft groan, pulling at my hair. "Dominic! Concentrate!"
I roll my eyes, pulling back just enough to look at her, a smirk playing on my lips. "Fine. What are the rules?"
She counts them off on her fingers, looking extremely serious. "Our official marriage rules: no lies, no keeping secret case files, no speaking for me when I can speak for myself, no leaving the bed angry... and no pretending the dog isn't for the both of us."
I break out into a full laugh, the sound echoing through the quiet room. "Fine. And yes... I kinda like Yapper too."
Rosalia squeals with delight, throwing her arms around my neck and hauling me down into a tight hug.
I wrap my arms around her waist, squeezing her close, though I can't help but add, "But no more pets, please. One menace is enough."
"I'll think about it," she hums innocently.
I groan, buried deep into the crook of her neck, my heart full to bursting. "Fuck, woman... I love you so damn much."
And before she can negotiate another rule, I shut her up with a kiss.