Page 62 of His Prize

I opened the driver’s side door. “You’re right, Dad. But that’s only because I already have. And while I’ve had fun, I don’t ever intend on doing this again.”

Then, I slipped into the car, took Bonnie’s hand into my own, and drove away.

Leaving my father—and everything he stood for—in the dust.

27

Bonnie

I drewin a deep breath as I held flowers in my hand. I felt the white silk ribbon tickling the tops of my hands, and it tugged a smile across my face. I closed my eyes and waited for the doors to open. I waited for the small ceremony to begin.

And once they parted, I opened my eyes.

Israel.

He was the first person I saw. With his brooding stare locked with my own and his hair slicked back, he looked more beautiful than he had during our sham of a first wedding. I stepped through the threshold and into the courtroom, feeling all eyes on me as I proceeded down the aisle and up to the man who held my future in the palm of his hand.

And I didn’t stop moving until we stood face to face.

“I’ve been told the two of you wish to say a few words,” the magistrate said.

I smiled as Israel took my left hand within his while his fingertip traced the massive diamond in my wedding ring.

Signing those divorce papers was the best thing Brianna had ever done for me. And despite the fact that I knew we’d never have the bond I hoped we’d share one day, I’d also never forget this. I’d never forget the gift she really gave me.

The gift of signing those papers and getting out of my way.

Israel gazed into my eyes. “I know this isn’t the ceremony you deserve, but this can’t wait. I don’t want to go a second longer without you bearing the last name you should have from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I promise you, when all of this chaos settles, you’ll have the ceremony you deserve. Whatever dress you want, whatever venue you wish, and whatever honeymoon you desire.”

The magistrate nodded. “Miss Bonnie?”

I smiled. “I don’t care about the ceremony, or the dress, or the venue. I don’t care about our honeymoon, or what colors our wedding might hold, or what your tuxedo might look like. I don’t care about any of it because it didn’t matter the first time around. The only thing that matters is the love and respect behind what we’re doing. And I love you, Israel. I’ve loved you for a while now, and I’m honored to be standing here with only seconds until I hyphenate my last name.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “Hyphenate?”

I smiled. “I still have a job to do, remember?”

He chuckled. “I suppose I can be okay with a hyphenation, then.”

The magistrate lifted his hands. “Then, by the power vested in me by the State of Illinois as well as the City of Chicago, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

I tossed my bouquet off to the side and threw myself into Israel’s arms. I crashed my lips against his, feeling him pull me closer as I started moving toward the floor. My body dipped lower and lower until the tips of my hair graced the floor beneath my feet.

And as I clung to Israel, I knew he’d never drop me.

Just like he’d never forsake me.

Or leave my side.

Or ever betray me, in any way.

“I love you, Bonnie Moretti-Rossi.”

I smiled against his lips. “I love you, too, Israel Moretti-Rossi.”

“Don’t push it.”

I giggled. “Just a little joke. Don’t get so bent out of shape. That’s my job tonight, remember?”

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