Escape to Heaven (Heaven on Earth Book 1) (10 page)

Chapter Nine

Adele relaxed on her lounge chair and took a deep, refreshing breath. “Oh, yes. This is the life. There’s nothing better in the world.” She had purchased a new book from one of her favorite authors and was just about to crack it open when a voice whispered in her ear.

“Love, I would beg to differ with you on that. I can think of a few choice things we could be doing that are much better than this.” Would this man ever cease to amaze her? He continued to surprise her at every turn with the depth of his love for her. Not once had she ever felt anything but protected. At all times, she knew exactly how much he wanted her to be in his life, by his side. Turning her face into his, she gave him a kiss full of promises for later.

“Stefano, your mind is always in the gutter. We’ve been here on the island for four days, and this is the first time you’ve let me out of our room. If you don’t stop I’m going to tell on you.”

“Adele, you can’t keep threatening me with your brothers all the time. You know it doesn’t work.” His hand rubbed along her leg as he made his outrageous statement. She knew he wasn’t afraid of her brothers, but she still liked to tease him.

Actually, all six of her guys got along quite well. Even Ethan had come around, and he and Stefano had become quite close over the last few months. After the incident in her home, it had taken Ethan the longest to get over the fact that she had been alone with Joey and forced to defend herself. The two of them had some pretty intense conversations during that time, and while she would never reveal their private discussions to anyone, she now understood the true significance of what Ethan had experienced and what made him the man he was today. If he needed to look out for her just a little more than the others, then that would be just fine with her.

Pulling her shades down to look at Stefano, she threw him a sassy look that she knew would get his blood racing. “Oh yeah? Then why are all of them on the other side of the island with your parents and brother?”

“Hell, that’s not my fault. Blame my mom.” He lifted her up from her chair and brought her over to sit in front of him, cradling her body between his strong legs. “After my mother met them when she and my dad visited Virginia, she all but adopted them. Against my wishes, thank you very much. Nothing I said would change her mind.” His chest shook with laughter behind her. “I can’t believe how they turned on the charm and made her putty in their hands. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Adele couldn’t help but laugh. Stefano was acting like a kid who had dropped his favorite ice cream. Although she laughed at his pouting, she could admit that it was completely true. The guys really had wormed their way into the heart of Mrs. Indellicati in record time, and they loved every minute of the attention they received from her.

Relaxing against his broad chest, Adele knew she could thank her lucky stars every day for the life she was now blessed enough to live.

Although it was only a couple of months ago, it seemed like a lifetime had passed since that night Joey had come to her home. After many days and nights of questioning by the authorities and some favors called in—to whom, she really didn’t want to know, nor did she care—the authorities had closed the case on Joey Bittner, and she had walked away a free woman.

During that time, not only had Stefano’s parents and brother come into town to provide support, but friends of Noah, Tony, Daniel, Ethan, and Tyler had as well. She’d had more protection than she could stand for a good two months. After all was said and done, Stefano’s parents had invited everyone to their family vacation home, which was situated on an island just off the coast of Sicily. Although Stefano shot daggers out of his eyes at the guys, they all just smiled and gladly accepted the invitation.

His mother had kept them all busy while on the island, parading every eligible single lady she could find in front of the guys. Unfortunately, none of them were taking the bait. Luckily, Adele and Mama Indellicati weren’t giving up anytime soon, and both of them were bound and determined to get those five married off to good and honorable women.

“Stefano, quit pouting and go away. I want some alone time.”

“Baby, how about just give me five minutes of your time, and then I promise to leave you alone if you want.”

Although she would gladly give him all the time he needed, she feigned a long-suffering sigh and placed her e-book reader down on table next to her chair. As she turned her head and looked up at him, ready to hear what he had to say, her mouth dropped open in shock as he pulled out the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.

“I feel as if we already belong to each other. In my heart, you are already my wife and future mother of my children. But I need to make this official. This ring symbolizes my pledge to you that I will always love you, protect you, cherish you, and even though you don’t need me to fight your battles for you, I will never hesitate to do so. I love you, Adele, with all that I am or will ever be. Please marry me.”

Tears in her eyes, Adele sat up and turned around, almost kneeing him in his most precious area. “Sorry!” Her left hand shot out as she nodded yes, a huge smile on her face. This was what she had dreamed of for so long. This man, who had come into her life and given her a reason to believe in love again, was everything she had hoped for. She realized that although she had lived through hell for so long, her heaven on earth was right in front of her, asking her to pledge his life to hers.

“Adele, say the words. I need to hear you say them.”

“Yes! Yes, Stefano, I’ll marry you.” Throwing her body against his, she planted kisses all over his face and lips. Suddenly she pulled back and gave him a bright smile. “You do know that you’re stuck with all six of us now.”

Above them, Adele heard hoots and hollers and recognized both of their families cheering them from the bluff overlooking the private beach. The smiles on their faces let her know they had all been in on Stefano’s surprise. She caught Stefano’s gaze as he smiled at her, his eyes lit up with excitement and happiness.

“Baby, for you, I’ll deal with anything, even your brothers. Now kiss me.”

**RM**

Dear Friends,

I truly hope you enjoyed Adele and Stefano’s story. Although Adele found her happily-ever-after, many women do not. While some progress has been made with regard to awareness, education, and prevention, we still have some work to do. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Department of Justice has established The Office on Violence Against Women (
http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/
) to specifically address this important issue within our communities.

According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund (2010),
1

-
       
On average more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States. In 2005, 1,181 women were murdered by an intimate partner.

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Nearly one in four women in the United States reports experiencing violence by a current or former spouse or boyfriend at some point in her life.

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Approximately one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner—a figure that far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth.

This is a subject that should not—cannot—be ignored. If you, or someone you know, is a victim of domestic violence, please reach out and seek help from a professional.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911

National Domestic Violence Hotline
: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

National Sexual Assault Hotline
: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) available 24/7 for the nearest rape crisis center.

National Stalking Resource Center
: 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255) M-F 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM EST or email
[email protected]
.

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
: 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 TTY) available 24/7 or connect with a trained Peer Advocate online at
www.loveisrespect.org
from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily (CST).

Reference:

Get the Facts: The Facts on Domestic, Dating and SexualViolence (2010). Family Violence Prevention Fund. Retrieved from
http://endabuse.org/content/action_center/detail/754
.