Page 36 of Hidden Heir, Italian Wife

All innocuous details that still felt like a spotlight burning into a deeply personal place, leaving him raw with exposure. He wanted to shield himself, but also Bree and especially Sofia. Every moment he spent with Sofia unraveled the careful structures he had assembled around his heart. He was committed to protecting her with every breath in him, but in moments like this, when they were on display next to him, he had to wonder if he was up to the task.

Would he be able to give them a safe, happy life? Or would he only draw them into the rain of judgment and fire the way he had with his parents and siblings?

“My turn!” he heard Sofia sing out from down the hall.

“Your turn,” Melissa echoed with amusement. “Come sit here.”

He heard a rustle of silk and turned his head to see Bree had come into the lounge.

The vision she made arrested him. He may have even stopped breathing as he took in the way her hair held the glamorous retro wave of a silent film star. Her makeup was subtle, but her thick lashes emphasized her eyes and the aqua color of her irises was so deep and wide, they threatened to drown him.

With a self-conscious bite of her ruby-red lips, she gave a slow pirouette. The skirt of royal blue satin flared. It was topped by a sequined, sleeveless bodice that shimmered. It dipped in the back and left her arms and upper chest and shoulders bare.

“Your mother picked it.” She gently pressed against the skirt as she faced him again, looking down to the closed-toe stiletto that peeped from beneath the hem. “She said the whole family is wearing blue except Dom and Eve.” Her gaze slid over his dark blue tuxedo which perfectly matched her gown.

“You look beautiful. Perfect.”

One of us.

He had to swallow because his voice was not entirely steady.

“So do you. I mean you look very handsome.” She set her hand against her stomach. “I know Eve and Dom are the stars, but I’m nervous. Did the announcement go out?”

“Yes.” The wheels were in motion.

“And?”

“No reactions yet.”

She nodded, frowning in consternation, then she touched her earlobe. “You said not to put on jewelry, but Mom brought me some earrings. Should I get them?”

“No, I bought some for you.” Not that she needed adornment, but the blue sapphire studs, each stone haloed by white diamonds, would suit her. A matching pendant was affixed to a dark blue velvet choker that he helped her put on.

“I don’t know what to say.” She looked at herself in the mirror behind the bar.

“Say you’ll marry me.” He opened the ring box, discovering that he was uncharacteristically nervous.

She gasped as she looked at it, hands tucking beneath her chin as though she was afraid to touch it.

He’d seen the ring many times. It had been as much a part of his grandmother as her ever-present smile and her iron-gray hair. He’d seen the ring as recently as this morning, when he’d picked it up after it had been sized and freshly polished. It was genuinely beautiful. Even the goldsmith had been charmed by the delicate filigree that elevated and supported the diamond. She’d praised the skill and care taken by its maker.

But as Jax showed it to Bree, it seemed to sparkle even brighter and feel heavier in his hand. It was more substantial than a simple piece of jewelry. It wasn’t merely a symbol to indicate their promise to marry, it was weighted with the years it had already endured. With the thousands and thousands of moments it had witnessed. It spoke of longevity and heritage and familial lines.

Paloma hadn’t worn this ring. She’d dropped the one he’d given her into the Hudson. In this moment, he couldn’t be more glad about that loss.

Bree was the woman he wanted to marry. His breath backed up in his lungs as he waited for her to agree.

“Your grandmother wore this?” she asked in hushed awe.

“She never took it off. That’s why it was nearly worn through.” Jax showed her how the repair of the band had been disguised with a continuation of the engraved design.

Nonna Maria had thrown over the man she was supposed to marry—a Blackwood—so she could run off with Aldo, the man she really loved.

They had all adored her, but Jax had had a special relationship with her. After his engagement fell apart, she’d said one morning,I never thought she was right for you.You cared for her. I could see that. And you wanted to do your duty by joining the two families, but she is not the reason your heart is broken.

He had all but forgotten that conversation until this moment. His scalp tightened, as he remembered the rest of what she’d said.

You and Eve are like me. You need love. When you find your match, you’ll give her my ring because you can’t imagine anyone else could wear it.

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