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“You know how the Freemasons have symbols?” Luca said. “We have our own.”
“Don’t the Masons work with their hands? I can’t see many rich boys hanging out down here to carve symbols into the walls.”
“I take offense at that,” Sonny said with laughter.
“What?” I glanced over my shoulder at him. “When have any of you ever worked with your hands?”
“Please,” Sonny shot back. “I’ll show you how good I am with my hands.”
An excited shiver ran through me because I remembered how good he was last year.
“Looking forward to it,” I said with a wink.
“Stop flirting with my wife, Cormac,” Luca growled.
“She’s ours for the night, Salvatore.”
“C’mon, boys,” I taunted. “No fighting over your queen.”
We stopped in front of double doors with tons of markings on them. The temple was massive, had a high ceiling, and was decorated with lavish decor. Two thrones sat atop a dais at the far end of the room. At the center was a table draped in black and red silk sheets.
I walked into the room with Luca, who led me to our thrones. Luca lifted a black robe from the back of his chair and slipped it over his head. The Knights headed to the right side, changing into similar black cloaks with hoods.
Luca pointed at the golden thrones. “Sit, my queen.”
I did as he instructed, then sat beside me with his hand resting on my thigh.
“How does this work?” I asked. “Same as last time?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “I’ll guide you every step of the way. And after we consummate our bond with the Knights, we will crown you queen.”
I smiled.
Luca lifted an eyebrow. “Does that make you happy?”
I nodded. “Never thought I’d get a coronation.”
“You get more than a crown, baby.”
After the Knights dressed in ceremonial robes, they stood before the dais.
Luca tapped my thigh and whispered, “Follow my lead.”
I rose from the throne and stood at his side. His fingers brushed mine, so I took that as a sign he wanted me to hold his hand. And he did.
We stopped in front of the Knights. Dressed in black cloaks, they kept their faces concealed by the hoods. However, I could have told them apart by their scents.
I knew my Knights.
Luca had been tight-lipped about most of the ritual. He wanted me to experience everything with fresh eyes, with no expectations. But not knowing had only made me more nervous about how this night would unfold.
Luca released my hand and moved in front of me. He shoved my curls over my left shoulder, staring at me with a rare smile. He looked so handsome when he smiled. But how often did he do that? Maybe a little more now that we were officially together.
“My queen,” Luca said, dropping to his knee.
He raised my hand to his lips and kissed my skin, his eyes never leaving mine. My eyes flicked to the Knights standing behind him, wondering when they would join in his praise. A burst of heat rushed down my arms as Luca kissed my other hand. It felt so good to be loved by him. When he wasn’t playing games and lowered his guard, nothing was more beautiful than this man kneeling for me.
Luca rose to his full height. Then he slipped his finger beneath the thin strap over my shoulder. The left side of the dress fell to my belly button. White and nearly see-through, I felt anything but pure in this dress.