Page 176 of Madness & Mercy

“Julian Cross,” Nico says, his voice low but steady, filled with a darkness that almost terrifies me.“Will you marry me?”

My mouth falls open, but nothing comes out. For once, I can’t mouth off, can’t throw up my walls. All I can do is nod, over and over, like my body’s answering before my brain catches up.

“Caro mio,” he murmurs, rising to his feet with that effortless grace, like kneeling was just another power move. “You’re mine.Always.”

The words hit harder than the ring. My throat locks up, my eyes sting, and suddenly I’m pressed against him, burying my face in his shoulder because I can’t stand him seeing me like this.

He holds me steady, his arms firm around my back, like he knew I’d break the second he asked.

“Don’t hide from me,” he whispers into my hair, fingers tightening against my spine. “Not now.”

I swallow hard, pulling back just enough to look at him, and goddamn it, I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want him.

“You could’ve at least told me to wear something nice,” I mutter. “I look ridiculous.”

“You look perfect,” Nico cuts in. His gaze drags over me until my face burns. “No suit could ever compete with the way you look right now.”

I snort, trying to play it off. “Yeah, perfect. In sweats.”

His smirk sharpens. He leans closer, his voice dropping low. “Piccolino, you could be in rags, in blood, in nothing at all—and I’d still get on my knees for you.”

Heat shoots straight to my gut.

“And the way those sweats are hanging off your hips…” he adds, his eyes flicking down, “…don’t tempt me to ruin them before I even get this ring on your finger.”

My breath catches as he reaches for my hand, and before I can process, he slips the band onto my finger. It feels cool and heavy, wrong for someone like me, and yet it feels like itbelongs.My chest tightens, and I don’t know if I want to laugh, cry, or throw myself at him.

“There,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Perfect fit. Like you were made for me.”

I swallow hard, my chest tight. I should say something, but all can do is stare at him, at the ring, at the certainty in his voice.

“How much did you drop on this?” I manage.

Nico chuckles. “Take a guess.”

I snort. “I don’t know…ten times more than I’ve made in my entire miserable life?”

“Yes,” he says smoothly. “But you’re worth it.”

Heat crawls up my neck. “Jesus, when did you get so damn corny, Vitale?”

His hum is low, satisfied, and way too close to my ear.“The second I fell in love with you.”

My whole body prickles. I shift back a fraction, trying not to drown in him. “Where’s yours, then?”

That smirk of his cuts me in half. “Thought I’d let you pick one out for me.”

I arch a brow. “Fine, but don’t expect me to get down on one knee.”

He leans in, dark amusement glinting in his eyes. “Cucciolo, you get on your knees for me all the time.”

Before I can even come up with a comeback, his fingers hook under my jaw and he claims my mouth like he’s trying to brand me from the inside out. My pulse spikes. I clutch at his shirt, trying to breathe, trying not to melt, but he doesn’t give me a chance. His tongue pushes past my lips, his teeth graze, andfuck,I’m gone. The ring’s still heavy on my hand, but the onlything I can think about is him, dragging me under, ruining me in the best way possible.

My grip on his shirt turns desperate, dragging him closer, like if I don’t, I’ll just collapse into the grass.

Nico’s hands slide down my back, gripping hard at my waist, at my ass, pulling me flush against the solid wall of his body. He groans into my mouth like he’s been starving for me, and suddenly I’m not sure if it’s the morning sun orhimthat’s making me burn alive.

I stumble back a step, but he follows, relentless, pinning me against one of the damn silk-draped trees. Candles flicker around us in the daylight, petals crushed under our shoes, but I don’t care. His mouth moves to my throat, biting just enough to make me gasp.