Chapter 94
Carmen stood in the study, her hands resting on the back of a chair as she scanned the stack of paperwork in front of her. The Venetti family operations were running smoothly, but the details always seemed endless. She sighed, rubbing her temples.
“Am I interrupting something?”
Carmen looked up to see Marco leaning casually against the doorframe, a playful smirk on his lips.
“Not at all,” she said with a soft smile. “But if you’ve got bad news, you might want to save it for later.”
Marco chuckled as he stepped into the room, his hands hidden behind his back. “Actually, I have something better than news.”
Carmen raised an eyebrow. “Do you now?”
He walked closer, pulling a small envelope from behind his back and handing it to her. “Open it.”
Curious, Carmen tore it open, her eyes widening as she read the words inside. “A private island?” she said, looking up at him in disbelief.
Marco nodded. “We deserve this, Carmen. After everything we’ve been through, it’s time we focus on us. No business, no threats—just you, me, and some peace and quiet.”
Carmen’s lips parted in surprise before a radiant smile spread across her face. “You planned this?”
“I wanted to give you something special,” he said, cupping her face with his hands. “You’ve done so much for our family, for me. You deserve a break. We both do.”
She threw her arms around his neck, laughing softly. “How could I say no to that?”
***
The sound of waves greeted them as they stepped off the small boat onto the private island. Carmen’s breath caught as she took in the scene—white sandy beaches stretched endlessly, and the turquoise ocean sparkled under the sun.
“This is incredible,” she said, turning to Marco.
“It’s all ours for the week,” Marco said, his hand resting lightly on her waist. “And no interruptions.”
A staff member guided them to their villa—a stunning retreat perched on a hill with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic ocean views. The space was open and airy, with luxurious touches that felt both intimate and indulgent.
Carmen wandered to the balcony, the breeze catching her hair as she gazed out at the water. “This is perfect, Marco.”
He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Only the best for you,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Carmen and Marco walked hand in hand along the beach. The waves lapped gently at their feet, the soft orange and pink hues of the sunset creating a serene backdrop.
“It feels strange,” Carmen said, breaking the comfortable silence.
“What does?” Marco asked, glancing at her.
“Not having to look over my shoulder,” she admitted. “Not worrying about the next battle or the next betrayal. It’s… peaceful.”
Marco stopped walking, turning to face her. “You deserve peace, Carmen. We both do. And I’m going to make sure you have it—for the rest of our lives.”
Her heart swelled at his words, and she reached up to touch his face. “You always know exactly what to say.”
He smirked. “Only because you inspire me.”
***
That evening, a candlelit table was set on the terrace of their villa, overlooking the moonlit ocean. Carmen marveled at the setting as Marco pulled out her chair for her.
“You really went all out,” she said, taking her seat.
Marco shrugged, pouring them each a glass of wine. “I wanted this to be special.”
They ate slowly, savoring the flavors of the gourmet meal and the quiet moments between them.
“Do you remember the first time we danced?” Marco asked, his voice laced with nostalgia.
Carmen laughed softly. “How could I forget? You stepped on my toes twice.”
Marco feigned offense. “I was nervous. You were… intimidating.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Me? Intimidating?”
“You were stunning,” Marco said, his tone growing serious. “You still are.”
Carmen blushed, her gaze dropping to her glass. “You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. Venetti.”
Marco stood and held out his hand. “Dance with me?”
“There’s no music,” Carmen pointed out, but she placed her hand in his anyway.
“We don’t need it,” he said, pulling her close.
They swayed together under the stars, the sound of the ocean their only accompaniment. Carmen rested her head against Marco’s chest, her heart full as he held her close.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. It was just the two of them, their love stronger than ever, ready for whatever the future might bring.
