“When this mess with Vaughn is over and everyone’s safe, that design is going right here.”
In the spot Cam had seen Nic frequently rub a hand over lately.He’d thought Nic had tweaked a muscle there or that the motion was random, a tic he’d developed.It hadn’t been random at all.This—he looked down again at the tattoo design—was why.
“You make me a better prosecutor.A better friend.A better man.And you are the only man I want to spend my future with.”
The page went blurry, and Cam looked up, blinking rapidly.“Nic, what are you saying?”
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Boston.You’re it for me.”Nic was making a place for him in his life and on his body, permanently.
Clearing his throat, Cam laid the tattoo design on the bedside table, safely out of the way, before grasping Nic’s hand and scooting closer.“You’re it for me too, baby.”
Nic’s smile was as bright as the sun, burning away the lines on his face and turning his eyes to liquid fire.“What happens when the cavalry arrives?”
“You’re flying back on the Talley jet for your grand jury hearing while I rescue your sister.”
“Sounds like a plan.”Nic rested his forehead against Cam’s.“So then can I spend the next ten minutes kissing my future husband?”
Hand around his neck again, there was no way Nic didn’t feel the stutter of his pulse.Cam’s heart liked the sound of “future husband” very much.
Tension receding, the instinct to argue, to tease, roared back.“I don’t remember saying yes.”
“You will.”
“Awfully confident.”
Nic got that courtroom-ready look about him, the one that made Cam’s blood boil.“I will win this argument.My life, our future, depends on it.”
“Do your best, Counselor.”
By the time the cavalry arrived, he’d kissed Cam’s lips numb and stolen his heart for good, winning the argument.
Twenty-One
Hopped up on adrenaline and luxury jet coffee, Nic took the stairs three at a time, up from his office to the federal courtrooms.He slammed through the door, sprinted down the hallway, and rounded the corner, spotting Lauren outside the grand jury room.The sheer relief on her face when she saw him was almost comical, as was the swift shift to raging anger.“When you’re done in there, we’re gonna talk.”
“Already had the talk with Cam.”He jogged to a halt in front of her, adjusting the spare tie and suit he’d changed into on the plane.“Then I asked him to marry me.”
Lauren’s anger evaporated, giving way to an exaggerated whine.“Dude, that’s so not fair.I can’t be mad at you now.”She shoved a bulging bucket file at him.“Make good use of these and all will be forgiven.”
He riffled through each colored folder inside, thumbing through the stacks of paper.Smiling, he tucked the folder under his arm.“Thank you for this.Can you bring Cole up in twenty?”
“You laying it all out for them?”
He nodded.“Now or never.”
“I’ll bring him up in fifteen, just in case.”
She bolted for the stairs, determined.Similarly resolved and imbued with energy and confidence by the folder under his arm and Cam’s favorite tie around his neck, Nic knocked lightly at the grand jury room door.The bailiff opened the door and Nic entered, just as Bowers stood to address the jurors.“Ladies and gentlemen, I need to apologize on behalf of...”His words drifted off, noticing the jurors’ wandering attention.
“No apologies necessary, sir,” Nic said.
Bowers spun, black eyes boring into his, equal parts fury and fear.He had hoped Nic wouldn’t show.Had thought Nic had played right into his hands.But the very thing Bowers had counted on to discredit Nic—his relationship with Cam—was the reason Nic was here now.
To discredit him instead.
If Nic smirked a little, it couldn’t be helped.
Stepping fully into the room, he addressed the jurors.“Thank you for the extension of time.”He gestured with the folder.“I think you’ll find I’ve used it wisely.”
