The Price Of Secrecy (15 page)

“He
still might one day.”

“I’ll
have to weather that storm if it comes, then.”

Angela
finally drifted off to sleep as the weight of eighteen years of having to hide
and pretend slowly evaporated into the mist of her dreams.

****

Saturday
afternoon, Dominic surprised Angela with delivery of food and wine from
Cibo Delizioso.
“I thought you’d enjoy a
quiet meal here today after yesterday’s events.”

“The
first place you took me to eat. Dominic, how romantic. Thank you.” He’d lit
candles in the dining room, and the shades were down on the windows. Judy and
Burt were in the apartment, but had made themselves scarce. “The food is
so
good. I swear I could eat it every day
and not grow tired of it.”

“I
agree. It’s fabulous.”

After
they had eaten their fill, Dominic stepped out for a moment and then returned
with a goofy smile on his face. What was he up to? He closed the door behind
him, and then stared at her for long moments.

“Are
you okay?”

“I
am. Nervous, but all right.”

“What
are you nervous about?” Had something else happened with his family or hers?

“About
your answer.”

“My
answer to what?”

She
watched him swallow, and then he pulled a small velvet box out of his pants pocket.
“Oh my God.” Tears sprang to her eyes as Dominic got down on one knee in front
of her and opened the box. “Holy shit…
” She’d never seen
a diamond so damn big in her life. It was stunning. Set off by tiny red stones,
delicate gold strands wove through them and around the diamond.

“Angela,
I have never felt this way before. I love you so much. I would give my heart
and soul for you. Will you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?”

“Dominic—I
love you, too. I’m so … this is … Yes. Yes, of course I will be your wife.” She
could barely speak. Tears streamed down her face, and her breath hitched in her
throat.

As
he slipped the ring on her finger, it was no shock at all to find it fit
perfectly. He never did anything half-assed, after all. Dominic smiled, and
then Angela giggled as overwhelming joy bubbled up and filled her entire being.
He stood and lifted her to her feet, pulling her close.

She’d
lived most of her life in a lie, but that was over. Dominic had lived a lie,
too, in order to survive. They both had, and in doing so they’d found each
other. Now they were free. Free to live, free to laugh, and free to love.

She
kissed her fiancé with all the passion and happiness that filled her body, and
his kiss overflowed with joy and passion as well. Angela had more than she’d
ever dreamed possible in this seductive, charismatic man, and she intended to
spend every moment of her life making sure he knew how very, very much she
loved him.

The End

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Other Books by
Ravenna Tate:

www.evernightpublishing.com/ravenna-tate

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