35. Chapter 34 Ginevra
My heart feels full and light while I stand in the middle of a white tent on the Moretti land. I’ve been to a hundred parties just like this one before. This time it’s different. This time, I’m the wife of Soren Moretti.
I’m used to walking around unnoticed. Tonight, people who I don’t even know come to introduce themselves to me like I’m someone of importance. I’m not sure how I feel about it. The one thing I am sure about is that I love the way Soren looks at me. He’s the one person who matters in this whole place.
“Dance with me, wife.” He holds out his hand, waiting for me to place mine in his. It’s been six months since Soren’s birthday party.
I place my hand in his and allow him to lead me onto the dance floor, even though I’m not a good dancer. Soren expertly leads me around the floor while I stumble on his toes once or twice, but he doesn’t seem to care.
“Any news on Eva, yet?” I ask. There’s an undercurrent of tension in the air with the family. Tonight is another reminder that no one knows where she is. All we know is that Anthony Armato has her, and he disappeared right after Jude’s funeral.
For my sanity, I have to believe she’s okay and this is just one of her games, because if it isn’t…I can’t think that way.
“No.” His voice is gruff, and he holds me tighter. “I should have killed him when I had the chance. I’ll regret not listening to my gut for the rest of my life.” He shakes his head.
Eva being gone has rammed a wedge into the middle of the family. It’s hard to watch. Had you asked me six months ago, I would have laughed and said they deserve it, but that was my jealousy speaking. I always envied they had a family, while I felt like I missed out on mine.
“She’ll be okay. She’s stronger than anyone gives her credit for.” Soren doesn’t reply and I rest my head on his chest as we sway, listening to the music. “I love you,” I murmur.
His hand runs down the length of my hair and settles on my lower back. I listen to the steady beat of Soren’s heart as the song ends. He leads me away from everyone and out of the tent.
He shrugs off his suit jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders. Spring is in full bloom, but the evenings are still chilly.
“Did you know that Eva and I used to spy on you out here when we were young?”
Soren laughs. “Yeah, my brothers and I would make up outrageous stories to see if you two would tell anyone.”
“Those stories were never true?”
“Nope. We just wanted to test Eva to see if she could keep her mouth shut.”
Soren and I stroll hand in hand along the shoreline in Sicily on our honeymoon. This is where his family came from, before his grandfather decided to grow the family’s empire in North America.
He’s been quiet today and it worries me. “Are you okay?”
He releases my hand, the wind off the water making it feel cooler than it is outside. Before the weather has a chance to chill me, he places his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in.
“I’ll be alright.”
He’ll be alright? What does that mean?
His hand slips down my arm and grasps my hand again. This time, his grip is tight, his thumb stroking my soft skin. “Ginevra.” He turns toward me and kneels, opening a box containing a sparkling diamond ring inside a cushion. My mouth drops open in surprise.
“I have a question I need to ask you, but I want you to hear me out before you answer. I don’t need you to marry me for my inheritance. I moved my business away from under my father’s thumb. He didn’t even put up a fight. I don’t need you to keep my business or fortune. I also paid your mother’s doctors for the next ten years, no matter what happens. You don’t need me to get her the best doctors. Knowing all of this, will you marry me? Again?”
I’ve never seen Soren so nervous—vulnerable—in my life. It’s surreal to see his human side, the side that can be hurt like any other person.
His hand shakes from holding the ring to me during his speech. “There’s nothing forcing us together?” The idea is foreign to me, but it has my lips curving upwards. I like the idea of that. Soren is mine because he wants to be. That has never been our relationship and my stomach flutters at the thought.
Soren takes the ring out of the box and stands, sliding it on my finger. It sparkles, looking massive on my small finger.
“I’ve become addicted to your smile, the way you tease me, and the way your eyes light up when you get excited. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, learning everything there’s about you. You make me a better person. I love you.”
My words are lodged in my throat, and I swing my arms around him, pulling him in for a kiss. His hands hold the sides of my face as he takes control of the kiss, his tongue stroking mine. I want nothing more than to have Soren at my side at all times.
He releases my cheeks as our kiss ends.
“Yes! I’ll marry you a hundred times over again.”
His forehead drops to mine. “You scared me there for a minute. Way to leave a guy hanging.” He inhales shakily.
“I kissed you. Pretty sure that meant yes,” I reply breathlessly.
I raise my hand and stare at the diamond. It’s beyond gorgeous. I can’t help myself. I kiss Soren again.
“I want us to have the marriage that my grandparents did. I want us to have a family. I want us to surround ourselves with a loving home.”
My hand cups the side of his jaw. “And that is what we will have.”
Need to read more about Ginevra’s birthday party or the Father’s bet? Read it here!