Page 239 of Power
“Simone, you are my entire world. You give me hope, make me feel excited about living again. I want to build a life with you, my beautiful, brilliant, badass babe.” He pulled the ring box from his sport coat pocket, opened the box, and said, “Marry me, Simone.”
Her gaze never left his as a breathtaking smile erupted on her face. She pressed her hands to his face, kissed him. “Yes, absolutely.”
They came together in tender kiss while everyone started applauding and hooting.
“That’s what we’re talking about,” Carrera said.
Luciano slid the ring onto her finger, but she still hadn’t broken her gaze. “I will love you forever,” she whispered.
“I’m yours.” He kissed her. “And you’re mine.”
She grinned. “I love that.”
He smiled out at the group. “She said yes!”
Everyone came over to congratulate them, but Simone stayed glued to his side. To his surprise, she still hadn’t looked at the ring, something he hadn’t expected. After the commotion died down, and everyone sat back down, Carrera stood with his champagne flute.
“Congratulations to my cousin and to Red. They’re a great match.”
“It’s perfect,” Slash added.
“I’m going with what my wife said,” Carrera said. “She’salwaysright.”
The group cracked up.
“You figured out the secret to a good marriage,” Stryker said. “My wife is always right too.”
“Same,” the men echoed around the room.
While everyone toasted with their bubbly, the servers returned with the entrées.
Simone leaned over, kissed Luciano’s cheek. “Thank you for turning Christmas Eve into something we celebrate every year. I did not expect that.”
“I love surprising you,” he replied.
“Oh, the ring!” Simone eyed the six-carat emerald-cut diamond, flanked by a halo of smaller diamonds, with baguettes running down the sides of the band. “This is stunning. And too much.”
He laughed. “I wanted to go bigger, but I knew you’d object.”
“It’s beautiful. Seriously. Gorgeous.” She kissed him.
He leaned over, whispered, “I bought you a second ring, in case?—”
She laughed. “You did not.”
He nodded. “But if you like this one.”
“It’s perfect. I love it, and I can’t wait to show you my gratitude when we get home.”
“A Christmas Eve celebration,” he said.
“Of the best kind,” she replied. “Love, love, and more love.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he replied.
March, the following year
LUCIANO
