Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Relief and pride fill her eyes as she keeps staring at me. “I’m so happy. God, Ciara.” I’m tugged back into a hug, and when my sister practically smothers me, I let out a chuckle.
I’ve missed this most of all. Feeling Grace’s protective arms around me.
“You’re here,” I hear Dominik say.
“Just arrived,” Santiago replies.
I pull back from Grace and watch as the men hug, then I just wave at Dominik. “Hi.”
He moves closer and tilts his head, giving me a questioning look. “Are you okay hugging your brother-in-law? I kind of owe Santiago for all the hugs he’s given Grace.”
He’s important to Grace and Santiago.
I take a hesitant step forward and nod.
“Verbal consent, mi sol,” Santiago murmurs.
“Yes, we can hug,” I say to please my man.
Dominik closes the distance between us, and when he gives me a gentle hug, it feels all wrong. Luckily, he lets go quickly, then Santiago takes hold of my hand and I’m hauled against his side.
“Fine, I get it,” Santiago says jokingly, “I won’t ever touch Grace again.”
Dominik lets out a chuckle, but the sound fades quickly, and he gives me a serious look. “I was a dick when we first met. I’m sorry, Ciara.”
The corner of my mouth lifts, his apology meaning a lot to me. “It’s okay.”
Dominik turns his attention to Santiago. “The others are already here. We should head to the meeting and let the women visit together.”
Santiago presses a kiss to my temple. “You have your phone on you?” I nod quickly, looking up at him. “Call me if you need me.”
Lifting on my tiptoes, I give him a quick kiss, “I will. I love you.”
A smile spreads over his face. “I love you too, mi sol.” His eyes flick to Grace. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Trust me, I won’t,” Grace chuckles.
We watch as our men walk into the main building, then Grace asks, “Do you want to go sit on the beach?”
“What about Kristian?”
“Evinka’s with him.” We begin to walk, then she asks, “Do you remember Evinka?” I shake my head, which has her explaining, “She’s Dominik’s second-in-charge.”
I think I remember her vaguely.
“I’ve learned sign language so I can communicate with her,” Grace tells me.
My eyebrows lift. “Oh wow. That’s really cool.”
We walk along the path Santiago took me on for my birthday, and I lift my hand to my neck, brushing my fingers over my diamond necklace.
“How have you been?” Grace asks and gestures to the ring on my left hand. “Are you really ready to take that big step with Santiago?”
I stop walking and turn to face her. “He’s my life, Grace. I love him.”
She nods, a soft smile playing around her lips. “But do you know him well enough to marry him?”
“I know him better than I know myself.” I glance down the path. “He loved me back to life when I was just an empty shell.” I’m hit with such a strong emotion, my heart actually hurts from the intensity. “Santiago is my everything. He’s the solid ground beneath my feet, the strength that keeps me standing, the force that has me putting one foot in front of the other.” I gasp through the overwhelming feelings, then meet Grace’s eyes again. “Yes, I’m ready to marry him. I already belong to him. Saying our vows is just us announcing it to the world.”
Grace wipes a tear from her cheek and nods. “That’s the love I’ve always wanted for you.” She lets out a sputtering sob. “God, I’m so emotional. Just ignore my crying. I swear my hormones are all over the place.”
I move closer and wrap my arms around her. “It’s okay. I’m an emotional mess as well.”
We let out bursts of laughter before we continue walking to the beach. I point out the log where Santiago and I sat on my birthday, and once we’re comfortable, Grace stares at me for a long moment.
“You look happy.”
I gather some sand and let it trickle through my fingers. “I am.”
“Santiago is an amazing man. If I could choose someone for you, it would be him,” she says.
My lips tip up, and I grin at her. “I’m marrying the man I love.” Then my eyes mist with unshed tears. “Thank you for going through with two arranged marriages so that I can marry the man of my dreams.”
“I struck it lucky the second time.” She leans back against the log and crosses her legs at her ankles.
I make sure my ankles aren’t visible, then look at Grace again.
I never want her to see the scars and know any of the details because it will devastate her, and it’s the last thing I want.
Grace looks at me, her features tightening with emotion. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” I whisper.
“Can I walk you down the aisle?”
It’s the last question I expected. My lips part, and my eyebrows draw together as I’m hit square in the chest, then I lunge forward and practically throw myself at her. “Yes!”