Desperado- The Rise and Search

Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Isabella

"How long have you been planning this?" I ask as I drag my feet through the sand.

This past hour has been nothing but bliss for me and Lucca. A smile has been gracing his face ever since he popped the question and I couldn't stop giggling. This is truly one of the happiest moments of my life.

After he proposed, we've been wandering through out the beach. Nothing but casual conversation has been spoken and a few laughs here and there. And of course, a few kisses.

"I actually bought the ring earlier this week." I look at him in surprise. "I've been carrying it around everywhere I go in case I had a urge that it would be the right time to propose. I was going to do it last night at my event, but that didn't go as planned."

I drew in a breath and held my head down. 

Lucca saw my actions and raises my head with his finger, holding eye contact with me. "It wasn't your fault, Isabella."

"He was there for me." I barely whisper out.

I haven't thought of what actually happened last night. I've tried to ignore it, but it just keeps clawing at the back of my mind. I honestly don't know how to feel about it. I know I'm terrified, but there's one emotion swirling around in my body that I can't seem to grasp on.

"Isabella," He grabs my arm, halting me from walking any further. "It wasn't your fault. It hurts to say this, but that situation was going to happen. When someone puts a hit out someone, they're going to follow through."

A sob gets stuck in my throat as tears build up in my eyes.

He lets out a sigh. "I'm going to try my hardest to keep you safe. I have people looking after you every minute with of the day. I know you want a normal life, but that doesn't exist in my world."

"I know, Lucca. I have already accepted that. I just don't want to get hurt again. I don't want Carson to get hurt either."

"I'll protect the both of you." He says sincerely.

I smile softly at him and interlock my hand with his. His warm hand welcomes mine instantly.

"I can't believe I'm engaged." I whisper more to myself, trying to change the subject.

He kisses the top of my head and nuzzles my hair with his nose, throwing his arm over my shoulder. I bite my lip and lean further into his embrace. 

We continue to look out into the sea in a comfortable silence. 

A year ago, I would have never thought I would be with Lucca. Actually, I never thought I would be with a Moretti. I use to fear them just because of the things I would hear about them. I never thought I would meet one of them at my job, at a book store. Gabi is full of surprises, even to this day. 

I use to be scared of Santino, I didn't even want to be around him sometimes. That's how intimidating he is to me. Now, I can joke around with his carelessly. The twins never gave me time to form an opinion about them. They overwhelmed me with their quirky attitudes until I finally gave into their playfulness. 

Lucca just melded into my life slowly, which I was grateful for. When I had first seen him, I was slightly confused about why he was so welcoming to me until I realized that the Moretti's aren't bad people. They just do bad things... 

"What's consuming your thoughts right now?" 

I shake my head lightly and glance at him. He flashes me one of those smiles that could make any girl fall down to her knees.