Page 65 of Hidden Heir, Italian Wife

He was extending his hand, though, inviting her across the invisible bridge. She only needed to believe it was really there.

“Ti amo,”he said.“Ti amo tanto.”

No one had ever put themselves on the line like this for her before. It was what she wanted, but it was so monumental, it made her heart feel too big for her chest. Her vision blurred with emotive tears and her lips quivered so hard she struggled to form the words she needed to say.

“I love you, too.” The quake began in her voice and extended into her chest and resounded in her soul. It made her feet feel heavy and awkward as she took a faltering step.

He pulled her close, crushing her into his arms.

For a long moment, he merely held her with her ear pressed to the thud of his heart. Then she looked up at him and he set his mouth against hers in a tender kiss that felt sacred. It tasted of apology and yearning, celebration and elation. It tasted of love. The kind of love that was pure and strong and everlasting.

When he picked her up, he stood unmoving for a long minute, holding her cradled in his arms, just looking at her.

“Yes,” she said, thinking that’s what he was asking.

He smiled faintly before his expression sobered. “I am very sorry for hurting you.”

“So am I.” She buried her lips in his throat. “I could never stop loving you even if I tried. And stop saying I deserve better. We’ll both be the better that we deserve.”

“We will,” he promised solemnly.

***

Jax was never more at peace than when they lay replete like this, Bree tucked against his side, fingertips drawing secret messages against his skin.

“Do you know what we should do?” She came up on an elbow.

“Collect our daughter so she doesn’t think we’ve orphaned her?” He had missed her, too. Sending her to Eve’s, when she had wanted to stay with him, hadn’t been easy.

“Definitely that, too.” She flicked a look at the clock, then relaxed in a splay across his chest. “But we should have a reception like Eve and Dom’s.”

“A big party? I’m always happy to show you off.” He swept a wisp of hair off her brow. “But I thought you didn’t want anything grand like that?”

“Because I don’t love being the center of attention, but you can’t let him think he ran you out of the city. Take it back. Show him who won.”

The spark of battle was in her eyes. For him.

“I’m touched.” He was. “And I will give you anything it’s in my power to give, but you don’t have to do that for me.”

“It’s for us. All of us.”

“My motherwouldbe thrilled to plan another party.”

***

Three months later, after a sumptuous meal, Jackson invited Bree to start the dancing.

As a combined force, the Blackwood-Visconti clan had neutralized Tucker, sending him back to Brazil with his tail between his legs. They had won. Everything about this night was magical and drama free.

The only gossip was a few sly, amused whispers noting both Bree and her sister-in-law were eschewing champagne…

EPILOGUE

One year later…

“I misplaced our daughter,” Jax said, coming to the open door of Bree’s office. “I sent her to change out of her school clothes, but she didn’t come back downstairs for her snack.”

“Have you found her?” Bree started to rise.

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