Chapter 112: Promise

The Rosenberg Mansion, Long Island, New York — Early Morning

Leo had just pushed open the heavy wooden door of his private suite, still wearing his black trench coat that smelled of gunpowder and blood.

"Leo!"

A tearful cry came from outside the door.

Chloe stood there in a pale blue gown, her golden hair loose and tangled around her shoulders, her beautiful face streaked with tears.

She didn't care about the broken glass and bloodstains scattered across the floor. She came flying at Leo in her heels like she'd lost her mind.

"You bastard!"

Chloe crashed hard into his arms, her slender arms locking tight around his waist, her whole body shaking. "You almost died... You idiot..."

She was crying so hard she could barely breathe, tears falling without end, soaking a large patch of his expensive black dress shirt.

"Olivia called me and said you'd been attacked... I... I was so scared..."

Chloe's voice dropped to almost nothing, heavy with fear and relief. "If that silver coin hadn't stopped the bullet... if you'd actually died... what would I do..."

Leo looked down at Chloe, crying her heart out in his arms, and something rare and soft stirred inside him.

He raised the same hand that had been killing people just minutes ago and gently stroked her smooth, golden hair, keeping his voice low. "Stop crying. I'm fine, aren't I?"

"But... but..."

Chloe lifted her eyes — those bright blue eyes, red and swollen from crying — looking up at him like a heartbroken little girl. "Do you have any idea how scared I was... You've always been like this, ever since we were kids. Always putting yourself right in the middle of danger..."

"Did you ever stop to think — if something happened to you, how could I go on living..."

Leo looked into her tear-filled eyes, and the corner of his mouth curved into a gentle smile.

He reached up and brushed the tears from the corner of her eye with his thumb, his voice carrying a rare, easy warmth. "Want to know what was going through my head the moment that bullet came at me?"

Chloe blinked, then nodded without thinking.

"I was thinking..."

Leo leaned down, his forehead resting softly against hers, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I actually died, you'd cry and look absolutely terrible."

"So I thought — no matter what, I have to make it. I can't let you cry."

The moment those words landed, the tears Chloe had almost managed to hold back broke free again. She pounded her small fist against his chest. "You bastard... how can you joke around at a time like this..."

"I'm not joking."

Leo caught her hand and looked her straight in the eyes. "Chloe. In that moment, you were the only thing in my head."

Chloe trembled, and the tears she'd been fighting finally won. She buried her face in his chest and cried out loud.

Leo gently patted her back and let her get it all out — every bit of fear, every bit of worry.

After a long while, her crying slowly faded.

But she still held on tight, refusing to let go, as if the moment she did, he might disappear.

Leo smiled and reached up to pinch her slightly puffy cheek. "Alright, that's enough. I promise you — this trip to Europe, I'm coming back safe."

"You said it!"

Chloe snapped her head up, those blue eyes locked onto him. "Swear it!"

"I swear."

Leo looked at her with fond indulgence, his tone completely serious. "I, Leo, swear that I will return safely from Europe. And if I break this vow—"

"Stop!"

Chloe quickly pressed her hand over his mouth, fresh tears threatening to spill. "Don't say the rest... I believe you..."

Leo took her hand and gently pulled it away. Then he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small velvet box.

"Here. This is for you."

Chloe stared at the elegant little box, almost unable to believe what she was seeing. "This is..."

"Open it."

Leo placed the box in her palm.

Chloe's hands trembled as she lifted the lid.

A dazzling diamond ring lay quietly against the silk lining.

It was an exceptionally rare pink diamond, shimmering with a dreamlike brilliance under the light. The setting was platinum, lined with a ring of smaller diamonds that made the center stone glow even brighter.

"This... this..."

Chloe covered her mouth, and the tears came again, whether she wanted them to or not.

"I was going to wait until I got back from Europe to give it to you."

Leo took the ring from the box and reached for Chloe's left hand. "But watching you cry like that — consider this an early apology."

"Chloe Rosenberg."

Leo dropped to one knee, his dark eyes steady on hers, his voice low and certain. "When I come back from Europe, marry me."

"I... I..."

Chloe was too overwhelmed to speak. She just nodded, over and over.

Leo's mouth curved into a smile as he slowly slid the ring onto her finger.

"Can't even get a full sentence out?"

"I... I do..."

Chloe finally found her voice, barely getting the words out through her tears. "I do... a thousand times over... I do..."

Leo stood and pulled her into his arms.

Chloe rose onto her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and lifted her lips to meet his.

The kiss was deep and tender.

Chloe poured everything into it — all her worry, all her fear, all her longing.

Leo's hand pressed firmly against the small of her back as he kissed her, owning her.

When they finally broke apart, Chloe leaned breathless against his chest, her cheeks flushed, her eyes soft and hazy.

Leo kicked the bedroom door open and carried her to the bed, laying her gently against the soft sheets.

Chloe lay against the white bedding, her golden hair spread out around her, the pale blue gown tracing every curve of her figure.

She bit her lip nervously, her blue eyes full of shyness and something like anticipation.

Leo shrugged off his black trench coat and tossed it aside, then began undoing the buttons of his shirt.

"Nervous?"

His low voice drifted through the quiet room.

"A... a little..."

Chloe's voice was small, her cheeks as red as a ripe apple.

Leo leaned over her, hands braced on either side of her body, his dark eyes holding hers. "You can still change your mind."

"I'm not... changing my mind..."

Chloe reached up with both arms and wrapped them around his neck, bringing her lips up to his. "I've been waiting for this... for a long time..."

The fire in Leo's eyes burned fully to life. He lowered his head and kissed her.

Chloe let out a soft, satisfied sound and kissed him back, warm and eager.

His hand moved along the curve of her waist, tracing the lines of her.

"Leo..."

Chloe pulled back, breathless, her face flushed. "I'm... I'm still dressed..."

"Then let's fix that."

A slow, wicked smile crossed Leo's face as his hand found the zipper of her dress.

"Not... not so fast..."

Chloe caught his hand, her voice soft and shy. "Can you... Can you be gentle... I'm a little scared..."

Leo paused. He looked down at Chloe, trembling slightly in his arms, and his expression softened.

He pressed a light kiss to her forehead. "I won't hurt you."

"Okay..."

Chloe gave a small nod and loosened her grip on his hand.

Leo slowed down, his movements careful and gentle, easing the fabric away from her little by little.

The pale blue gown slipped away, revealing soft, smooth skin beneath.

Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, her arms instinctively moving to cover herself.

"Don't."

Leo caught her wrists, his voice low and rough. "You're beautiful."

A flicker of playfulness crossed Chloe's eyes. "From now on... you're not allowed to make me sad anymore... no more dangerous things..."

"Alright."

Leo agreed easily, his hand beginning to move again.

"And..."

Chloe's voice dropped to almost nothing. "From now on... you can't be with Ivy or any of the others... only me... just me..."

Leo's hand stilled. He raised an eyebrow. "That one I can't promise."

"You... you bastard!"

Chloe moved to push him away.

But Leo pressed down, pinning her beneath him, his voice low and absolute. "But I can promise you this — you will always be the one who matters most to me."

Chloe went still. A warmth crept into the corners of her eyes.

"Is that enough?"

Leo murmured against her ear.

"It's... It's enough..."

Chloe's voice went soft. She pulled him closer. "Leo... I want you..."

"Then you'll have me."

The last of Leo's restraint burned away. He brought his mouth down to hers.

---

Chloe let out a soft cry, her slender arms wrapping tight around his neck.

Outside, the night lay deep and still.

Inside the room, the air grew warm and heavy.

Leo kissed her hard and reached down to lift her up against him in one smooth motion.

Chloe gasped and instinctively wrapped her legs around him.

He carried her to the bed and pressed her down into the soft sheets.

Her evening dress slipped away in the tangle, falling to the floor.

Moonlight slipped in through the gap in the curtains and spilled across the room.

The temperature climbed. The air felt thick enough to catch fire.

"Leo... easy... easy..."

"Weren't you feeling pretty bold a moment ago?"

"Ah... you're terrible..."

And soon, the suite filled with sounds that made the air itself blush — the soft creak of the bed, the low and heavy breathing of a man, and the sweet, breathless cries of a woman, winding through the quiet of the night, on and on, without end.