Caleb’s POV
After the dical team departed from our penthouse, I pulled Ivy against my chest, pressing my lips to Max’s forehead as he rested in her arms. The terror that had consud during those hellish days finally began to recede, replaced by fierce relief that burned through my veins like fire. Never again would I allow them to slip through my fingers into enemy hands.
"My beautiful queen, you cannot comprehend the agony that tore through these past few days. Knowing my entire world was trapped in Roman’s filthy hands nearly shattered what remains of my sanity. The rage consud every fiber of my being, threatening to burn down everything I had built if it ant getting you both back," I whispered against her hair, threading our fingers together as we found ourselves alone in the sanctuary of our ho.
"I descended into madness the mont we discovered Roman had taken our son," Ivy’s voice trembled with residual fear, her erald eyes still reflecting the shadows of our recent nightmare.
I brushed my lips across her temple before carefully lifting Max into my arms, guiding Ivy to settle beside on the leather sofa. Here we were, a complete family unit forged in blood and violence, basking in the overwhelming love that crackled between us like electricity in the storm. Sleep gradually claid our boy, his soft breathing creating a gentle rhythm against my chest while his small fingers splayed across the fabric of my shirt with complete trust. The warmth of my woman pressed against my side, her head finding its natural place on my shoulder, created a perfect mont of peace in our world of chaos and gunfire.
Family had been nothing but a distant mory since my parents fell to Roman’s car bomb. How desperately I had craved this solid foundation, soone who could look past the blood on my hands and the bodies in my wake, who would stand by my side through any war while loving without conditions. Gratitude and possessive joy swelled within my chest as we existed as one united force against the darkness.
"Tesoro, I need to make you my wife imdiately. We should take advantage of your parents being here in the city. If you want anyone else from your hotown to witness our blood oath, I will have them flown in within hours," I murmured, placing another reverent kiss atop her silken hair.
"What exactly are you suggesting? A wedding this week? Because I seriously doubt my father has any intention of extending his stay beyond that tifra," Ivy responded with that sharp edge I had grown to adore, though my expression remained deadly serious.
"I want to marry you today. Tomorrow is the absolute latest I can tolerate." Her eyes widened in shock at my declaration, surprise painting her beautiful features.
"You cannot be serious."
"I am completely serious," I stated with the sa finality I used when ordering executions. "You ntioned wanting a garden ceremony at our estate. I have the resources and connections to orchestrate everything according to your exact specifications. But I refuse to wait any longer."
"Why such urgency, Caleb? This intensity seems extre, especially since I have already moved into your fortress," Ivy studied my face with those intelligent green eyes, searching for hidden motives. I drew a deep breath before revealing the depths of my obsession.
"I need to marry you because you represent everything that keeps human in this blood-soaked world. You breathe life into my blackened soul, providing purpose where only vengeance existed before. My life without your presence was nothing but calculated violence and empty conquest. You gave soone worth coming ho to each night, soone to kill for, to cherish beyond reason or logic. You make feel alive instead of rely existing as a monster. You exceed every fantasy I dared entertain, surpass what I believed my damned soul could deserve. I want to pledge my life, my empire, my undying devotion before our soldiers and before whatever gods still listen to n like . I honor my oaths completely, Ivy, and I want what my parents shared before Roman murdered them. We are already bound by blood spilled together, by our son, by the enemies we have destroyed side by side, but I need to claim you in every way possible, including before heaven and hell themselves. My certainty is absolute, and waiting is torture."
Upon finishing my declaration, tears stread down Ivy’s face while she wore the most radiant smile I had ever witnessed. My desperate need for her answer intensified as she remained silent, simply beaming through her tears like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Anxiety clawed at my composure until I could contain myself no longer.
"Answer , tesoro. I am begging you." Ivy silenced my plea by capturing my mouth with hers in a kiss that tasted of promises and forever.
"What other answer could there be? Caleb, from the mont you entered my world, I was lost. My love began before we truly knew each other, from that first night at the auction house. When I glimpsed those incredible blue eyes beneath your mask, not even knowing who you were, you conquered my heart completely. Then, when I thought life would never offer such consuming passion again, our eyes t in that office, and choice beca aningless. You invaded every corner of my soul, becoming an absolute certainty within . How could I not love you with everything I am? Because I only feel truly alive when I stand beside you in this darkness. I found myself through you. Never have I felt so complete, so fiercely protected, so deeply claid. We have survived hell together in such a short ti, yet we found our way back to each other. So yes, Caleb, I want to bind myself to you in every possible way."
Ivy’s words drew tears of pure possession from my eyes, leaving suspended in euphoria so intense that only our sleeping son prevented from roaring my triumph to the city below. I claid her mouth with a kiss that contained every ounce of obsession residing in my heart, needing her to feel the wild beating of my pulse, the absolute certainty of my devotion flowing through that connection. When we parted, I remained hovering above her lips, eyes closed, completely intoxicated by her breath.
"However," Ivy began as she nestled against my shoulder once more.
"Must there be conditions, my queen? Can you not simply surrender and remain blissfully mine forever?" I asked, hearing her soft laughter.
"However, I want our wedding this weekend afternoon in our garden," she announced, sending my heart racing wildly again. "I need ti to plan every detail and find the perfect wedding dress."
"Agreed," I sighed with mock resignation. "I suppose I can endure waiting until then. We still have a few days."
We remained in our perfect sanctuary until knocking interrupted our peace. Ivy rose to answer the door, careful not to disturb Max. She pressed her finger to her lips, requesting silence from our family as they filled our living room with warmth and deadly loyalty.
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