Page 386 of Niccolo

No doubt my fiancée remembered the rather brutal – and dismissive – way she had questioned the Widow.

“My dear,” the old woman said, “I rarely meetanyonewho impresses me as much as you did.”

“If Nonna says that about you,” Lucia chimed in, “then you are onebadass bitch.”

The entire room laughed, and Sofia joined in.

“Language,” the Widow said to her granddaughter, then turned back and gave both me and Sofia a mischievous look. “If it doesn’t work out with your husband-to-be, come find me – I’m in need of aconsigliere.”

Sofia grinned.

“Never,” I said to the Widow, pulling Sofia close to my side. “She’s already locked down.”

“I’ll pay more,” the Widow joked.

At least, Ithinkit was a joke.

“You’ll have to top 20 million euros, then,” Roberto said.

The Widow looked like she was about to have a heart attack. “Oh my – on second thought, congratulations on your impending marriage.”

“Speaking of which, we’ll get the money to you once we’re back home,” Roberto said.

“No,” Sofia said, shaking her head.

“We honored the deal Fausto made with his foot soldiers. We’ll honor the deal he made with you.”

“Actually,” Sofia said, looking up at me with a slight smile, “all I require in payment… is a ring.”

“Lucky for me, then,” I said, “that I have one right here.”

I pulled a clamshell box out of my pocket.

I’d brought it along for this very moment.

Sofia looked shocked –

And then she grinned as I got down on one knee in front of her.

All the women gasped.

“You’re going to do this in a bloody shirt?” Sofia asked jokingly.

“Bloody shirt and all,” I confirmed. “Sofia Toscani… you are the most fascinating, beautiful, brilliant woman I have ever known. Ever since the moment I met you, I have found you utterly and completely enthralling. You truly are a beautiful, glorious, life-lighting star. If you’ll have it, my heart is yours – forever. Will you marry me?”

She grinned – and then noddedyes,leaned over, and kissed me.

The women all wentawwwww!and the men cheered.

“Let’s make it official,” I said, still kneeling, as I pulled the ring out of the box.

“Too bad you couldn’t do it in the Sistine Chapel,” Sofia joked.

“Funny you should mention that. Massimo?”

Massimo walked over with a coffee table book I’d found in thepalazzo’slibrary.

It was a collection of gorgeous shots of the Vatican.

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