As Maggie walked around the bar and poured a round of shots, I watched two things happen. First, the new woman declined, I guessed because she was nursing. But then Shiloh covered her glass. The women all stared at her, looks were exchanged, and then they broke out into squeals.
I turned to Ryder, my eyes wide. “Something you want to tell us?”
“I didn’t want to overshadow your night.” Pink tinged his cheeks as his smile broadened.
I pulled him into a hug, uncaring about the people around us. “Fuck that. Congratulations, man.”
There was a round of congratulations before Dom joined us as we raised a glass to Ryder, and then to the two Waite brothers who were deployed.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I wanted to ignore it but I was waiting on one more piece of the puzzle before I could do what I wanted to do. I pulled it from my pocket and blinked my eyes several times as I read the message from my lawyer.
Transfer Complete. Proceeds will be deposited into a trust for you and your siblings.
I no longer had a stake in the weapons industry. Or at least, in the distribution of firearms. It was a shame, because we figured that was what The Rival wanted. But that was a fightfor another day. Instead, I would make sure the protective gear and communication devices we manufactured would help keep people safe from those weapons.
Besides doing the renovations for the bar, Maggie had also applied to finish her degree. She was enrolled for the next semester and would be taking some night classes at the San Diego campus of the University of California.
“Right. I’m going to do it.” I said to the guys. “I’ve waited long enough.”
“You got this.” Jason called out as I walked toward Maggie.
I navigated the crowds, dodging people on the tiny dancefloor and hanging around the tall tables at the edge. I even managed to stabilize a stumbling waitress with a tray of nachos.
I stepped right up to the bar and grinned at Maggie. She walked over to me with the sexiest smile curling her lips. “Hey, handsome. What can I get you?”
“I need to speak to the boss please.”
Her smile widened. “Oh, yeah? You need to be really important to want to speak to the boss lady.”
My eyes narrowed. I loved it when she threw sass my way. “Maggie. Office. Now.”
“Bossy.” Her smile softened and she untied her apron. “Loren cover for me, please. I’m taking my break.”
“Sure.” Loren called before offering me a smile.
I led her to the back room office. I opened the door and allowed her to walk ahead of me before I closed the door then locked it. This would be the only time we have alone together for a good while. I needed to make it count.
I stood her in front of her desk, before I went down on one knee. Her gasp was audible as I pulled the little velvet box from my pocket. Her eyes went comically big. “That’s huge.”
I stifled my laugh. “Maggie, I have loved you since the night we met. I want to be your partner and safe space. I want us toslay dragons together. Please will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Her face lit up with the kind of smile she couldn’t stifle, even if she tried. “Yes. Of course, I will marry you.”
CHAPTER 30
MAGGIE
“Yes.”I whispered. “Of course, I will marry you.”
Theo let out a breath. A long one that sounded a lot like relief. Did he actually doubt that I would say yes? Surely, not. But his posture had relaxed and his face had lightened. He looked more like the man I knew eight years ago. Before I married a criminal and pretended I didn’t know the best man I knew was in love with me. Every drop of tension was bleeding out of him.
He didn’t stand up immediately. Instead, he stayed on one knee a few moments longer, just looking at me, as if memorizing the moment. Then he slid the ring on my finger.
Damn. He chose well. A solitaire diamond, catching the dim fluorescent light of the office, and sparkling brighter than it had any right to. It was big, because well, Theo Snow didn’t do anything in small measures. But it was elegant. No one could miss it, and I would proudly wear it, telling the world that I belonged to Theo Snow.
He stood up, towering over me in the small space, and pulled me into his arms. His mouth lowered to mine and our tongues tangled in a way that made my toes curl inside my boots. It was slow and tender, like we had no hurry. Like we had the rest of our lives.
The kiss was a promise, a taste of what forever had to offer.
