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He nods. “I’ll make you proud, Dad.”
“I know. You already do. Now, I’ll talk to my lawyers. We will begin the transferring process soon.”
“Dad, do you think I’m ready to take over from you?”
I meet his gaze. “Iknowyou are.”
Valentino and I say our goodbyes, and I decide to focus on the biggest responsibility that rests on my shoulders now: Quinn.
Everything and anything to do with Quinn.
I head to the kitchen to cook a hearty breakfast for her. The house is just as I left it, including my note, so I assume she hasn’t come down yet.
I put the note in the trash and get to work on breakfast.
As the food cooks, I decide to make a phone call.
Dialing a friend in law enforcement back in the States, I explain the situation and email him the recording Quinn gave me.
Maybe this will be enough to get him arrested and never bother Quinn again.
It goes smoother than I expect it to. But then again, that might just be theQuinn Effect.Everything seems to run smoother when she’s in my life.
I’m in the middle of flipping over a pancake when a pair of arms wraps around me from behind, and someone nuzzles into the back of my neck.
“Good morning, honey.” I turn over to kiss her on the cheek.
“I might just have had the best sleep I’ve had in years last night.”
“Good.” I laugh, setting the plate of breakfast on the table.
She follows me, taking a seat.
I kiss her forehead. “Get ready for a lifetime of those.”
She scarfs down nearly half the plate in impressive time. She must have worked up an appetite last night. And I’m the one she worked it with. I grin.
“A lifetime with you sounds like exactly something I need.”
I lean over to her from across the table and grab her hand. “I’m serious, Quinn. Move in with me. I’m not letting you leave anymore, not if I can help it.”
She blushes, and then nods. “I was hoping you would ask me that. I don’t want to do long distance either, especially with the baby…”
I kiss her on the lips. “I want to do this the right way.”
I did not plan on this, but I fall down to one knee in front of her. She brings out the spontaneity inside me, and I want to seize the moment.
“Enzo?” Her hands fly over to cover her mouth.
“I don’t have a ring, but… Marry me, Quinn. I love you. I don’t want to take it slow, I want to make you mine. I want to be yours. Please let me.”
She collapses into my arms. “Yes, yes, yes. For you, always.”
I breathe in her scent, wondering how I got so lucky to meet someone like her.
My hand is placed over her belly, holding it protectively.
And then, we both feel it.