Twisted Loyalty

Chapter 39: Forever

Dante's

The evening air is soft, warm, and the quiet hum of the city is distant outside the open window as I step into the bedroom. Sienna is already in bed, sitting against the pillows, her legs tucked beneath her, reading one of the books she's been engrossed in lately. The soft light from the bedside lamp casts a gentle glow on her, making her look even more radiant. Her dark hair falls loosely over her shoulders, and the simple, silk nightgown she's wearing clings to her curves in a way that makes my chest tighten.

I can't help but smile at the sight of her, this woman who has become my entire world.

She looks up when she hears me, a smile spreading across her lips, her eyes lighting up in that way they always do when she sees me. "You're finally done with work?" she teases, her voice soft, as she sets the book down on the nightstand.

I nod, pulling off my shirt as I walk toward the bed. "Finally," I murmur, tossing it aside before climbing in next to her. The bed dips slightly as I settle in, and without a second thought, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close.

She fits perfectly against me, like she always has. Her body presses against mine, her warmth seeping into me, and for a moment, I just hold her. It's been two years since everything happened—two years since I almost lost her—and not a day goes by where I don't thank whatever higher power exists that she's still here. That we made it through the storm and came out stronger.

Sienna rests her head against my chest, and her fingers trace the tattoos on my arm, the gentle strokes of her fingertips making my skin tingle. It's a simple touch, but it always drives me crazy.

"What's got you thinking so hard?" she asks, her voice a soft murmur.

I chuckle, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Just thinking about us. How far we've come."

She hums in agreement, her fingers still tracing the ink on my skin. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

"Yeah, we have," I say quietly, my voice thick with emotion. These last two years have been everything to me. We've rebuilt our lives—together. And there's no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't want to live any other life than this one, with her.

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, her head resting on my chest, her fingers dancing over my skin. But there's something I've been thinking about for a while now—something I've wanted to say, to ask, but I needed the right moment.

And I think this is it.

"Sienna," I say softly, my voice steady but my heart pounding.

She looks up at me, her eyes curious and warm. "Hmm?"

I take a deep breath, reaching out to gently brush her hair behind her ear. "Do you remember when we pretended to be engaged? The whole fake engagement thing?"

She laughs lightly, nodding. "Yeah, how could I forget? That was a wild time."

I smile, but my heart is racing now. I gently cup her face in my hands, my thumb brushing over her soft cheek. "What if... we made it real?"

Her expression stills, her eyes widening slightly as she stares up at me. For a second, she's quiet, processing, and I can see her breath catch in her throat.

I don't let go, keeping my gaze locked on hers as I continue. "Sienna, I love you. More than I ever thought I could love anyone. You're everything to me. You've changed my life in ways I can't even describe, and I don't ever want to spend another day without you by my side. Not just as my girlfriend, not just as the woman I love, but as my wife."

Her lips part, and her eyes start to glisten with unshed tears. "Dante..."

"I want to marry you, Sienna," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I want this, us, forever. I want you by my side for the rest of my life, as my partner, as the love of my life, as my wife. Marry me."