I pull away and turn to him.I’m not sure what I should do in front of his little sister, but she isn’t a kid.She’s only a few years younger than me.
Patrick takes the decision out of my hands and walks right up to me.He pulls me into his arms and kisses me deeply.When he finally releases my lips, he keeps me in his arms.
“Tonight’s performance was amazing.I was afraid I was going to miss it with all of my plans.”He looks over to Roisin.“Ro, could you and Hayes go into the next room for a bit while I talk to my girl.”
“Okay.I’ll see you in there.”Ro smiles excitedly, and Hayes takes her from the room, leaving just Patrick and me.
Patrick releases me, and I glance around nervously, wondering what’s going on.When I turn back to face him, he’s on his knee in front of me.
“You are the only woman I’ve ever gotten on my knee for.You promised if I made all your dreams come true, you’d marry me.Right?”
My hands go to my mouth as tears blur my vision.“Yes.”
“I didn’t ask.”He chuckles.“I made a promise to your brother, and this is me making good on that promise.This is also me making this just us for right now.I will do everything to keep you safe, and you having my name will do that.”
“Patrick.”I start to shake my head.“You couldn’t have gotten everything.”
“Sweets.”He cocks his head and smirks.“I got it all.”
He pulls a jewelry box from his pocket and flips the top.He’s still on his knee, and it causes an ache in my chest.He’s lowering himself for me.The great and powerful Patrick MacEvoy is willing to be vulnerable to me.
“In the next room is a beautiful pale green wedding dress and a priest, who is willing to marry us because I know you’re Catholic too.Look down, Daria.”
I shift my focus from his eyes to the box and see a beautiful pear-shaped emerald and diamond engagement ring.I nod like a bobblehead as he rises and takes my hand to his lips.He kisses my ring finger before sliding the ring onto it.Then he kisses me, long, deep, dominate, and so possessive.I can’t explain it, but it’s perfect.My head is spinning when he pulls away.
“I almost forgot, your matching green shoes too.”
“How did you do all this in one day?”
“Don’t ever challenge me, sweets.I’ll make every dream of yours, within reason, come true.Not only will I protect you, but every day I’ll show you what you mean to me.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
“Don’t tell my men.”
I laugh, and he gives me a quick kiss.
“Okay.You go into the next suite and get ready.There are hairdressers and makeup artists waiting, along with the designer.I’ll see you in an hour right there.”He points in front of the window.
He walks me next door, and sure enough, there are women waiting for me.
The dress is amazing.Strapless, with a sweetheart neckline, draped and gauzy green-and-white fabric cascading from it.The skirt is a ball gown with leaf accents and falls to the floor with just a small train.It’s the most perfect dress I could have imagined.
When the girl opens the box with the delicate shoes, I start to cry.Patrick thought of everything, and then some.I never gave him perfect examples, yet he just picked what he knew I would love.The shoes are open-toe, with green butterflies across the toe strap.The laces are a thin green cord that will wrap around my ankle several times.
Paddy
As my girl gets ready in the next suite, I’m in our room, getting ready myself.My phone rings, but I ignore it until JJ walks in and holds out his phone.
“It’s Marty.He has her, but she won’t tell him anything.She’ll only speak to you.It’s not good.She said not to trust anyone but me until she gets here.”
“How soon?”
“Marty said he’ll have to take a few detours because he’s already found a tail.It could be a couple of days.He’ll keep us posted.”
“How did they get a tail so fast?Marty just got there.”
“She was being watched.”
