He shakes his head, and I sigh in relief. I’ve never been a fan of Lexi’s, but I never considered her dangerous.
“It has to do with my work. It was someone I used to do business with, but we ended our working relationship. He blamed me and did this to you as revenge. I’ve dealt with it, and he’ll never hurt you or anyone else again.” He takes both my hands in his. “And I promise this is not the norm, and nothing like this will ever happen again.” He kisses my hands. “I’m sorry, Thorny. This is my fault. I understand if you want to leave, but—”
“You promised me forever.” I talk over him. He locks eyes with me, and I see him exhale in relief. “Were you giving me an out, King? That’s a pussy move, and my man is no pussy.”
“Fuck no. I would have spent the rest of my life fighting for you. I’m too selfish to give you up.”
“And by handling it, what do you mean?”
“He’s alive,” he quickly reassures me. “Probably pissing through a straw, but alive. He was arrested for other things. That’s all I can say.”
I nod, not needing to hear anymore.
“Okay. I trust you.”
He presses his forehead to mine. “Thank you. There’s one more thing.”
“Should I be worried?” I ask, alarmed by the seriousness of his tone.
“I’m the one who should be worried.” He takes a deep breath. “Let me get it all out, okay?”
“Okay.”
He takes another deep breath before he says, “I’m not a man of grand romantic gestures or flowery words. I’m blunt and direct. But I swear, I’ve never truly desired anything until I sawyou that night. And then, when you touched me, it was like you became instantly woven into the very fabric of my soul. For the first time, I wanted something real. You are the only person I would ever do anything for.
“I have things, Thorny. I have money. I have a house. I have cars, but none of them matter. The truth is, I don’t care about any of it. Nothing compares to you. You woke in me a longing I never knew existed and made me want things I had no business wanting. Like a partner, a family, a lover, but only with you. I thought living alongside you was enough, that I didn’t need a piece of paper from the world to know you’re mine. But I was wrong—I do need that. I want the world to see that you’re mine, and I’m yours. In every way. So, Eden Rose, I’m asking you to marry me. Spend your life with me. It’s not just a question, it’s a vow: a lifetime of you loving me, and in return, I promise to spend every day of that lifetime devoted to you. This is my promise to love and cherish you forever.”
The room is silent until I hear a sniffle. I look up to see tears streaming down her face.
“You say you’re not romantic and then proceed to say the most beautiful and romantic things. My king continues to surprise me.” She takes a breath, and I wipe her tears with my thumbs. Then I suck her tears into my mouth.
“I told you I’d drink your tears.” She weeps in my chest. “Don’t leave me hanging, baby.”
“I would marry you right now,” she says, and I sag in relief.
Chapter 64
Rip
Her entire family is in the waiting room when I get there. I spot the bag of clothes that Serena Rose brought for Eden. All I have to do is grab it and put it in her room so she can change after the nurse helps her in the shower. The doctor will sign off on her discharge, and I can get her the hell out of here and take her home with me, where she belongs.
While her mother, father, and sister speak, I nod at Cori and Selene.
“Hi, friend.” Selene smiles and waves at me. “How’s our girl?”
“Perfect.” My answer gets the attention of her parents and sister.
We don’t speak. I grab the bag, but the next words I hear stop me. Dax enters the waiting room with his damn dog, but I don’t have time to think about him.
“Did you move the baby’s crib into your room, Sylvie? Your sister needs her bedroom back. I changed the bedding on Eden’sold bed and cleaned the room, but the crib’s gotta go. She needs—”
“Excuse me?” I say to Mrs. Rose.
She faces me and raises an eyebrow as if I’m inconveniencing her.
“This does not concern you,” Sylvie answers on her mother’s behalf.
“Oh, shit,” I hear someone whisper.
