Page 465 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

Soft white lights are wrapped in tulle and hung across the ceiling. They look like tiny stars glimmering down on us, stars I’ve only become acquainted with since moving out here to Las Vegas. The room is private, at least for this part of the night. There is one single table set up in the center, cascades of white roses and calla lilies spilling over the sides of a centerpiece. There are brass candelabras set up around the perimeter of the room, the flames flickering furiously and adding to the aura of the occasion.

It’s perfect.

Exactly the way I’d wanted it.

The past few months have been a whirlwind for us. After a lot of discussion, we decided to relocate to New York. It took a visit to Ivan Volkov and a lot of negotiation to release me from my previous role as one of the bratva’s hired guns. But in exchange, Matteo offered him a sweet business opportunity he couldn’t ignore. One of the stipulations was that Uncle Boris gets to run the new shipping operation. But it didn’t take much to convince Volkov since access to the piers in the Villani territory would be huge for business and Volkov is no idiot. And just like that, I became a free woman.

Dante decided he needed a change of pace, too, since we do eventually want to start our own family and a mom and dad assassin team wouldn’t necessarily provide the most nurturing environment. So instead, he is starting his own security consulting firm, just like Matteo had recommended. He’s already got a slate of clients anxious to work with him, and he’ll also partner with Roman to handle the family’s businesses in lower Manhattan.

As for me, I just got accepted to the Fashion Institute of Technology.

I’m finally making my dreams come true.

Allof them.

And I couldn’t be happier.

Lately, I’ve felt my parents and Maks’s presence a lot more, especially at times like this when I’m about to make a big bold move in my life. It’s a comforting feeling, knowing they’re there in spirit, smiling down on me. I know they always wanted the best for me, even though it took a long time for me to figure out how to make that a reality.

“Okay, we’re standing still. Can I take off the blindfold now? Or is there kinky shit I’m not allowed to see yet?”

I giggle. “There’s no kinky shit here. But hold that thought for a few hours.”

He breathes in. “Smells good. Are we eating? I hope so because I’m starving.” His hands fumble with my dress. “Although I could wait on the food if there’s something else I can eat in the meantime?”

“You’re insatiable!”

“Damn right,” he murmurs. “Now are you gonna let me see that gorgeous face or not?”

I bite down hard on my lower lip.

This is it.

I reach around the back of his head and unknot the scarf, dropping it on one of the chairs. “Happy anniversary, babe,” I say.

His eyes sweep the room and he flashes his famous sexy smile at me. “You brought me all the way back to our hotel?”

“Yes, but there’s a good reason why.”

“Don’t keep me in suspense,” he says, pulling me close and nuzzling my ear. He always knows exactly what part to suckle when he wants to melt me into a puddle of goo.

But I can’t melt right now.

Not yet.

I take a small step backward, still holding his hands in mine. My heart thrums against my chest, delicious shivers making my body shudder.

And then I drop to one knee, unable to keep the smile from spreading across my face. “Dante,” I say, tears springing to my eyes. “You once told me you were an unconventional kind of guy.” I sniffle. “Well, that must mean we’re a perfect pair because I’m an unconventional kind of girl. You gave up so much for me, and you’re ready to move across the country to help me realize my dreams. I believe that there were a lot of people upstairs pulling strings for us to find each other, and I am so thankful we did. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you know it.” I swipe away one stray tear and hold out a shiny gold band. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. Will you be my husband?”

He smirks. “Is this because I said I loved you before you finally said it back? You wanted to be the first this time?”

I giggle. “Maybe.”

“Well, then, you know we Villanis like to have the last word. So…” He drops down in front of me and pulls out a small, black velvet box, flipping it open to reveal a glittering diamond engagement ring. “I’ll say yes if you do.”

“Oh my God, yes!” My hand flies up to my mouth. “Were you planning this all along?”

“Of course I was. I figured whatever surprise you had planned, you’d never see this coming as the cherry on top.”

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