Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
“It’s not the same. You’ll have a new family.”
I let out a tight laugh, though I felt more like crying. “I’ll never replace you and our family. And creating my own family won’t be so easy.” I touched the bandage over my abdomen that was hidden by my wide dress.
Nevio’s mouth twisted. “Fuck, Greta, that’s not what I meant. I wish I could do something.”
“Don’t let the dark swallow you just because I’m not there to watch over you. One day you’ll find someone who’ll shine brightly.”
Nevio shook his head with a dark laugh. “I’ll try to dip my feet into the light on occasion, but don’t expect me to have feelings for anyone, Greta. Even if I hadn’t been averse to the idea of it before, seeing what your feelings for Vitiello did is a huge deterrence.”
I rolled my eyes.
“So you’re not mad at me?”
“I was never mad at you.”
“Really?”
He shrugged. “I’m raging mad at Vitiello.”
“Don’t be. I want you to try to get along.”
“You’re asking a lot from me.”
“I know. It could be my Christmas present.”
Nevio’s gaze slanted to the doorway. He must have heard steps because Amo stepped in a moment later. I gave him a weak smile, my heart filling with longing. After having spent two weeks together in hospital, being separated for several days had seemed like eternity, which was irrational considering we’d been apart longer than that before.
Nevio released me slowly. “Can you stand?”
Amo crossed the room before I got the chance to answer and put his hand on my back to steady me. “I can take over.”
A look passed between them and Nevio stepped back with a strange smile. “Take good care of her. You saw what I did on stage.” He gave me a wink and disappeared. Those words, though part threat, had been his way of a peace offering. The best Christmas present ever.
Amo cupped my cheeks and lowered his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle and careful. I still felt a little frail so I was glad for his consideration. “How are you feeling?”
“A little better every day. I can’t wait to be rid of the cast so I can start mobilizing my knee.”
“You will dance again.”
I nodded, because I believed it too.
Amo cleared his throat. “I know today isn’t the best time and this isn’t a good place but I don’t want to wait anymore.”
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.”