The thought of Damon sitting somewhere with a serious expression, mapping out the perfect proposal like it’s a military op, almost makes me laugh. Almost.
Zane taps his fingers against the counter. “So? We’re doing this together?”
I exhale. “Yeah. We are.”
It’s not how I imagined proposing to Mia, but maybe that’s the point. She’s not a conventional woman. Our life isn’t conventional. So why should the proposal be?
“She’s gonna lose her mind,” I say.
Zane grins. “That’s the idea.”
The next few days pass in a blur of planning.
I double-check my gear as Mia steps into the kitchen, adjusting the collar of her scrubs. The sight of her still does something to me, even after all these months. She’s so confident, steady, beautiful.
“Ready for your first day running the new medical training program?” she asks me, grabbing a travel mug from the counter.
I nod, keeping my expression neutral. “Yeah. It’s been a long time coming.”
I’ve spent months developing this program—teaching security teams the advanced first aid techniques that have saved my own ass too many times. No more overseas contracts, nomore extended absences. This is what I wanted. A life here. A life with her.
And tonight, if all goes to plan, that life will be official.
I glance at Zane, who’s pretending to be preoccupied with his coffee. We’re both trying to act normal, which makes it painfully obvious that something’s up. Mia, of course, notices immediately.
“What’s with you two?” Mia asks, brows furrowed.
“Nothing,” Zane and I say at the same time.
Mia tilts her head, narrowing her eyes. “You’re acting weird.”
I force a chuckle and shoulder my bag. “Just first-day nerves.”
She gives me a knowing look, but thankfully doesn’t push. Instead, she steps closer, resting a hand on my chest. “You’ll be great,” she says, then leans up to press a kiss to my cheek.
If she had any idea what we had planned for tonight, she’d be a lot more suspicious.
I clear my throat. “I gotta go.”
Zane claps me on the back as I head for the door, his smirk saying,Don’t screw this up.
I shoot him a glare before stepping out into the crisp morning air. My truck’s parked in the driveway, but I pause for a second, looking back at the house. The girls are probably upstairs, still tangled in their blankets. Mia’s inside, sipping her coffee, getting ready for work. And inside my jacket pocket, there’s a ring waiting for tonight.
I exhale and head for work.
Our new house sits on a stretch of land just beyond the city limits, where the lake glows golden at sunset. It’s bigger than the old place, built with security in mind but without feeling like a fortress. Multiple exits, reinforced windows, and a state-of-the-art surveillance system ensure we never get caught off guard again. But inside? It’s a home. Warm lights, worn-in furniture, laughter in the halls.
The deck out back is my favorite spot—wide, sturdy, with enough space for all of us to sit and watch the lake. Right now, it’s where we’re gathered, watching the girls demonstrate their new self-defense moves.
Ella throws a perfect punch in the air, turning back to us for approval.
“Good follow-through,” I say, nodding. “Keep your wrist straight.”
Emma executes a dramatic spinning kick, nearly toppling over in the process. Damon catches her by the shoulder, grinning. “Balance, kiddo. Power doesn’t mean much if you fall on your face.”
Zane, arms crossed, gives them both an approving look. “Not bad. But if a guy grabs you—” He moves to demonstrate a quick breakaway maneuver, which Emma eagerly mimics.
Mia watches from the deck railing, smiling.
