by Sadie Black
"You call me as soon as your safe," Whitney called back. "Doesn't matter if it's four in the morning, I'll answer." The call was dear to her now. Every time Rocco went out she worried. Despite his assurances that as Don, he was far less involved with any messy business. There were underlings for that now. His presence was only required for certain situations.
"Before I go, though," he called from the bedroom, "there is one thing that I want."
Whitney frowned and tucked the receipt of her book to mark her place. This wasn't the typical exchange.
"Um, yeah? What's that?" she asked.
The bedroom door opened and Rocco stepped out, dressed up sharp and looking as handsome as he'd ever been before. The remote for the television was in his hand, and he clicked it on before tossing the remote onto a nearby couch. Whitney turned her head to look at the screen, but as she did, the first notes struck her hard and registered at once.
Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal began to play.
Whitney's heart jumped into her throat.
Rocco sank down to his knee before her, maintaining eye contact. From his back pocket she withdrew a small black box. From the look of it alone, Whitney knew what was inside — a ring.
"Oh my god," she whispered. "Oh my god, oh my—"
"I want you to marry me," Rocco said as he pulled back the lid on the box. Upon a golden band sat an exquisite princess cut diamond, its inner fire dazzling. Smaller diamonds aligned upon the band, making the whole thing sparkle. "I'm a man of my word, Ms. Greene. We're in this together. I want to make it official."
"Oh my god," Whitney whispered. She cast her book aside and stood on shaking legs. "Rocco, I... Yes! Of course I'll marry you!"
A satisfied smirk spread across his face as he took the ring and slipped it onto her left ring finger. The ring was barely on before Whitney caught him by the hands and drew him into a standing position. Before he could catch his balance, she threw her arms around him and held him tight.
"I can't believe you did this now, right when you're about to go to work."
"Mmm, a strategic move on my part," Rocco said with a grin. "While I'm gone you can let the excitement build, and then when I get home, you can reward me in whatever way you see fit."
"Then you better damn well come home to me tonight," Whitney insisted. "I don't want to lose my fiancé before I can show him in full how excited I am to be his future wife."
"A Lombardo is nothing if not honest," Rocco whispered into her ear and kissed the bottom lobe in parting. He pulled from her embrace and kissed her once on the lips before turning to head towards the door. "... When the circumstances allow it, of course. But I swear, you are my reason to keep coming home. I'll be back home before you know it."
Rocco's hand was on the door, already set to go. Whitney's knees still trembled as she watched him, overwhelmed with happiness at the prospect of their future together. For now, and forever.
"I'll see you later, handsome."
"Before you know it, Mrs. Lombardo."
And as the door closed behind him, their future began.
* * *
Sadie Black
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About the Author
Sadie Black is a 30-something author living on the east coast. She’s married to a man who isn’t a billionaire, but is her happily ever after (and they have four rug rats to prove it). If she isn’t dreaming up steamy romance stories or chasing her children then someone should file a missing person report, because she is always doing one or the other.
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