Chapter 9 - The Proposal
"Camryn," Matteo’s voice was a low, rough rumble.
He reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small velvet box.
Camryn gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Matteo..."
He opened it.
Inside wasn't a massive diamond.
It was a simple, elegant gold band. And nested beside it, a smaller, delicate chain meant to hold the DeLuca crest medallion—the same medallion that had brought them together.
"I am not a good man by nature," Matteo said softly, his dark eyes vulnerable and completely bare. "I have done terrible things. But I swear to you, for the rest of my life, my hands will only be used to protect you and Leo."
Tears spilled down Camryn’s cheeks.
"You're a good man to me," she choked out. "You're the best man I know."
"Marry me," Matteo pleaded, not as a command, but as a beggar asking for salvation. "Let me give you the world. Let me be a father to our children. Let me love you."
Camryn looked at the ring, then at Matteo, and then over at Leo, who was happily smashing two toy trucks together.
She had come here with seventy-three thousand dollars in debt and a broken heart.
She was leaving the shadows behind and stepping into the sun.
"Yes," Camryn sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, I will."
Matteo let out a shaky breath, burying his face in her neck, holding her so tightly it felt like they were fusing into one soul.
He pulled back just enough to capture her lips.
The kiss was passionate, desperate, and filled with the promise of a lifetime. It tasted of tears and triumph.
"Ew," a little voice said.
Matteo and Camryn broke apart, laughing.
Leo was standing there, holding a Lego piece, his nose wrinkled in disgust.
"Papa kissing Mama," Leo stated firmly. "No."
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Matteo scooped Leo up with one arm, pulling Camryn close with the other.
"Get used to it, little man," Matteo grinned, his heart full for the first time in years. "I plan on kissing her every day forever."
