My breath caught. We’d been engaged for days, a strategic move announced to the families. But this this felt
different.
He opened the box, revealing a stunning emerald ring surrounded by diamonds. Not the one we’d shown at the announcement. This was more intimate, more personal
“Isabella Romano.” He dropped to one knee, and my heart stuttered. The most feared man in Chicago, kneeling before me. “I’ve watched you fight, survive, and come back stronger. You challenge everything I thought I knew. Make me want to be better.” His voice grew soft. “This isn’t about alliances or power anymore. I want you by my side because you’re the only one who sees the world the way I do.”
I blinked back tears. This wasn’t the calculated move we’d planned. This was real.
“Will you n
marry me? Not for the families, not for Chicago – but for us?”
My fingers trembled as I touched his face. “Yes”
He slipped the ring onto my finger, and I noticed an inscription inside “More than a crown‘
“The other ring was for show,” he said, standing “This one is just for you.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him close. “I love that you did this. That even after everything, you
wanted to make it real.”
His forehead rested against mine. “Everything about us is real, Isabella. That’s what makes us dangerous.
I melted into his kiss, my fingers threading through his dark hair. The cold metal of my new ring pressed against
his neck
Marco’s hands traced down my spine, pulling me closer. The scent of his cologne mixed with leather surrounded me.
“I never thought I’d find this,” I whispered against his lips. “Someone who understands both sides of me.”
He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “The woman who fights like hell and still believes in love?
That’s who I fell for ”
I leaned in to kiss him again, savoring the moment when three sharp knocks broke through our bubble.
“Boss “Antonio’s voice was tight with urgency. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation that needs immediate
attention.”
Marco’s jaw clenched. He kept his arms around me, protective. “Give me two minutes.”
“Sir, it’s about the shipment at the docks.”
I felt Marco’s muscles tense. The docks were neutral territory – any trouble there could spark a war.
“Go,” I said, straightening his collar. “We have time for us later.”
He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my ring. “Don’t leave. Whatever this is, I’ll handle it quick.”
8:54 AM
just a statement.
“I’ll be here.” The words felt different now. Deeper. A promise rather than just
He strode to the door, his posture shifting from the man who’d just proposed to the leader everyone feared. But before he opened it, he looked back at me one last time, and I saw both versions of him my Marco and the boss
merge into one
My phone buzzed just as Marco left. Alexander’s name flashed across the screen. I almost declined, but
something made me answer.
“What do you want?”
“Bella, you’re making a huge mistake.” His voice held that familiar condescending tone. “The Vercettis? Really? After everything you said about wanting out of this life?”
I twisted my new ring, feeling its weight. “You lost the right to comment on my choices when you slept with your
assistant”
“That’s not fair. We both know our marriage wasn’t perfect-”
“Perfect?” I cut him off. “You made decisions about my body without telling me. You lied to my face for months.
Don’t talk to me about fair.”
“I’m trying to protect you. Marco Vercetti isn’t who you think he is.”
I laughed, the sound sharp and cold. “That’s rich coming from you. At least he’s honest about who he is.”
“Is he?” Alexander’s voice dropped lower. “Have you asked him about the warehouse fire last year? The one that killed ten people?”
My stomach tightened, but I kept my voice steady “I’m not playing this game. We’re done.”
“Isabella, wait-”
I hung up, my hands shaking. Alexander always knew which buttons to push, how to plant seeds of doubt. But this time was different. This time I knew exactly who I was, and what I wanted
The phone buzzed again – another call from Alexander. I blocked his number and tossed the phone aside.
I walked to the window, Alexander’s words echoing in my head. A warehouse fire. Ten people dead. The rational part of me knew not to trust Alexander – he’d proven himself a master manipulator. But doubt gnawed at me like a persistent wound.
The door opened and Marco strode in, his shoulders tight with tension
“Everything okay at the docks?” I asked
“Just a misunderstanding with the union.” He loosened his tie “Nothing that couldn’t be handled with the right.
words.”
I turned to face him. “Marco, I need to ask you something ”
His eyes met mine, steady and dark. “What’s wrong?”
“The warehouse fire last year. Were you involved?”
His jaw tightened. He crossed the room and poured himself a drink. “Who told you about that?”
“Alexander called.”
Marco took a long sip. “Of course he did.” He set the glass down. “It wasn’t supposed to go that way. Vincent Rossi – my biggest rival at the time – he’d been moving in on our territory. We arranged a meet at the warehouse to negotiate terms.”
“What happened?”
“Someone tipped him off. He brought twice the men we agreed on. A firefight broke out.” His voice grew rough. “The explosion wasn’t planned. I lost three of my best men that day. Seven of his died too.”
“And Rossi?”
his desk. “I’ve never stopped looking for him.”
I moved closer, placing my hand over his “Why didn’t you
tell me?”
“Because it’s the one failure that still haunts me. I promised those men’s families I’d keep them safe.” He turne to face me. “I wanted to be better for you. To prove I could lead without bloodshed.”
“You don’t have to be perfect,” I said “Just honest.”
We kissed
