She tipped back her head, exhaling once again. “What if I can’t have children? I just…”
“Then we’ll adopt. If that’s what you’d like. I adore you for who you are, Willow.”
Her smile was all I needed.
I heard a rustling noise and sighed, the interruption expected but irritating.
Maksim cleared his throat, remaining outside the door. “It’s time.”
“We’ll be right there.” I gave him an appreciative nod.
He grinned before walking away, obvious happiness on his face. My Capo had never seen me so joyful.
I took her hand, fingering the diamond and ruby ring I’d only presented a few days before. “You’re certain you want to do this?”
“Moy lyubyashchly muzh,” she stated with conviction.
My loving husband. The words meant more to me than she could understand. “More like your dominating husband. Are you wearing your plug?”
Her face flushed a bright crimson, words sputtering from her mouth. “I… I mean, I thought… Well, things have been strange and…”
I reached around her, smacking her twice on the bottom. “I think we’ll have to deal with your infraction later.”
She blushed all over again, the color highlighting her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
I pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. “I might have to find a perfect cage while we’re here for some additional training.”
“No!” She smacked her fists against my chest, moaning softly. “I’ll be good.”
“I know you will.” I eased back, taking her hands into mine. “There’s one more thing I need to tell you, a gift of sorts.”
“Another gift? You’ve given me so much.” She rose onto her tiptoes, pressing her lips against mine.
All I could think about was devouring her right here and now. The thought alone kept my cock at full attention, aching from my raging desire. “Peter kept another secret from you.”
“I don’t know if I can handle anything else.” She attempted to pull away.
I intertwined our fingers together. “Angelo is alive.”
“What?” She narrowed her eyes, blinking several times. “I don’t understand.”
“You didn’t kill him. The entire situation was a setup. Maksim did some digging. The entire situation smelled, and I had to learn the truth. Angelo was paid very well for his part in the devious game.”
“Bastard.”
“I’m sorry.”
A moment of fear crossed her face. “Where is he? He’s brutal and horrible. He could come after me.”
I shook my head. “Shush. That’s not going to happen and he can’t hurt you. He’s in a maximum-security prison, given three life terms. He will never see the light of day. You no longer have to feel guilty.”
She accepted the news, finally giving me a smile. “Thank you. All those years of worrying. The guilt.”
I wanted to wrap my hands around Peter’s throat. “This is your day. All the ghosts have been laid to rest.”
A full minute passed. The last thing I’d wanted to bring to her was any level of unhappiness. I kept my anger in check, all the vile and evil things I wanted to do to Peter furrowing in my mind.
Her naughty look returned, the look of relief giving me a moment of peace. “It’s our day, husband to be. Do I have to remind you of that?”
When I tweaked her nipple, she purred before issuing a lilting laugh, so delicate and feminine.
God, I loved this woman and would do anything to protect her.
Her laughter remained as we walked out of the house and onto the beach. I’d never planned on getting married again, never believed that I could find some level of peace in my heart or my soul. Without Willow, my darkness would have overtaken me.
As we stood just off the shore, the island official ready to begin, my emotions were all over the place. I took a moment to glance at our guests, realizing that I was perhaps the luckiest man alive.
And I would spend the rest of my life making certain this very special woman knew how important she was to me.
My lover.
My submissive.
My salvation.
My heart…
The ocean breeze was still warm as the waves crested against the shoreline. Everything was magical, including the lights shimmering in the pool and the stars floating high above us. Maybe it was the champagne talking, allowing a moment of real hope or perhaps the beautiful ceremony that had still taken place.