Chapter 43 - THE DEVIL'S CLAIM: FOREVER

The sun had begun its slow descent over the Miami coastline, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold. The waves crashed rhythmically against the shore below, and the salty breeze carried the promise of freedom, danger, and desire. Adeline walked beside Donovan along the secluded stretch of beach, her bare feet sinking into the warm sand with each step. The villa they had rented was perched atop a cliff, a fortress of black stone overlooking the roaring ocean—isolated, private, and entirely theirs for these few stolen days.Donovan's presence beside her was electric, as always. Even here, away from the chaos of the mafia world, his aura of danger clung to him like a second skin. His tailored linen shirt was open at the collar, revealing the powerful line of his chest, and his dark eyes—always so unreadable—watched her with a possessive intensity that made her stomach twist in both fear and longing."Adel," he said softly, his deep voice low enough to mingle with the rhythm of the waves. "You've survived hell with me, embraced it, and yet… you never faltered."Adeline's pulse quickened. "I've survived because you didn't let me fall," she whispered, her fingers brushing against his arm. The warmth of his skin under her touch sent an involuntary shiver through her.He stopped abruptly, turning to face her, and the world seemed to tilt around them. Donovan's eyes darkened, shadowed with that combination of desire and danger she had grown to crave. "You've given me everything, Adel. Every piece of yourself—fear, loyalty, love, even your defiance. And I… I have no choice but to claim all of you."Before she could speak, he bent one knee into the sand, pulling a small black velvet box from his coat pocket. Her breath caught. The simplicity of the gesture contrasted sharply with the intensity of his aura, yet every movement radiated dominance and devotion."Adel," he said, his voice trembling slightly, betraying a rare vulnerability, "I am not a man who can offer peace, safety, or normalcy. I am chaos, danger, and power. But I can offer you me—my life, my world, my love. Will you… marry me?"Adeline's chest tightened. The waves of emotion crashing over her mirrored the ocean below. She could feel the weight of the mafia, the past betrayals, the scars of missions, danger, and loss, all surrounding them. Yet here, in this stolen moment, nothing existed but Donovan and the fierce, consuming desire between them."Yes," she breathed, tears brimming, and he slid the sleek, dark ring onto her finger. It shimmered in the waning light, as if the night itself had been captured in that small circle of gold and onyx.He rose, pulling her into a possessive embrace. Their lips met, tentative at first, then searing, a kiss that spoke of all the danger, desire, and devotion that had brought them here. Every brush of his hands, every curve of their bodies pressed together, reinforced the fact that they were bound—forever, in darkness and passion alike.The rest of the evening was a blur of whispered words, lingering touches, and stolen kisses along the balcony of the villa. The moonlight reflected off the waves below, casting silver streaks across the terrace, illuminating the intensity of their connection. Donovan traced the line of her jaw with his fingers, his lips following every movement, every gasp, until Adeline felt dizzy with longing.In the villa's private chambers, Donovan finally allowed the fire of his desire to take full form. Every caress was measured and commanding, every kiss a claim. Adeline surrendered, feeling the depth of their bond in the way he touched her, held her, and drew her into the passion that had always simmered between them. It was intimacy forged in chaos, love built in fire, and a connection that was as dangerous as it was irresistible.Morning came, golden and soft, spilling into the villa's chambers. Adeline awoke with Donovan's arm draped possessively across her waist, the rise and fall of his chest steadying her own racing heart. The ocean's roar below was a comforting rhythm, a reminder that the world outside still existed—but for now, it could wait."Forever," Donovan murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple."Yes," she whispered back, her fingers tracing the curve of his jaw. 'Forever '