Chapter 14 - Under the Miami Stars
Three months later.
The private yacht The Empress glided across the calm, dark waters of Biscayne
Bay under a canopy of brilliant Miami stars.
The city skyline glittered like a wall of diamonds in the background.
Beatrice stood at the bow of the ship, the warm ocean breeze lifting the soft
silk of her midnight-blue evening gown. Her curves were accentuated by the
tailored cut, her skin glowing with radiant health and happiness.
Footsteps sounded softly on the teak deck behind her.
Lorenzo walked over, carrying two flutes of vintage champagne.
He handed one to Beatrice, standing close beside her so their shoulders touched.
"A penny for your thoughts, my lady," Lorenzo said softly.
Beatrice smiled, taking a sip of champagne. "I was just thinking about that
rainy night three months ago. When I was hiding in the walls, terrified that
Vincent would throw me off the bridge."
"Vincent is currently serving forty years at ADX Florence," Lorenzo murmured,
his arm wrapping securely around her waist, pulling her flush against his side.
"And you are standing on your own yacht, owning the heart of the most powerful
man in Florida."
Beatrice turned in his arms, looking up into his handsome, rugged face.
"Do you really love me, Lorenzo?" she whispered, the last lingering shadow of
her past seeking reassurance. "Even with all my flaws? Even when society expects
you to have a runway model on your arm?"
Lorenzo set his champagne glass on the railing.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.
He dropped to one knee on the teak deck of the yacht.
Beatrice gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, her eyes widening in breathtaking
shock.
"Beatrice Miller," Lorenzo said, his voice deep, steady, and overflowing with
passionate devotion. "I don't want a runway model. I don't want society's
shallow approval. I want a woman with fire in her soul, loyalty in her blood,
and beauty that takes my breath away every single morning. I want you."
He opened the velvet box.
Inside rested a magnificent, flawless five-carat cushion-cut emerald surrounded
by a double halo of brilliant diamonds.
"Will you do me the greatest honor of my life and become my wife?" Lorenzo
asked.
Beatrice looked at the ring, then looked into the golden-amber eyes of the man
who had seen her worth when everyone else looked past her.
"Yes!" Beatrice cried, tears of pure joy streaming down her cheeks. "Yes,
Lorenzo! A thousand times, yes!"
May you like
Lorenzo surged to his feet, slid the emerald ring onto her finger, and lifted
her into his arms, spinning her around under the starlit sky as their laughter
echoed across the open ocean.
He lowered her gently to the deck and captured her lips in a passionate,
breathless kiss that sealed their destiny forever.
