Banshee clears his throat from the backseat. "I'm gonna... take Charlie for a walk." He clips the leash on her, careful of her cone, and they disappear into the darkness.
Now it's just us.
Shadow and me.
And the biggest question of my life hanging in the air between us.
"You really want to marry me?" I ask.
"Yes."
"Not just because of the Copperhead Kings. Not just to protect me. You actually want to?"
Shadow reaches across the console, cups my face in his hand. "Grace. I've wanted you for years. Loved you for longer than I should probably admit. This—" he gestures between us "—was always where we were heading. The timing's shit, yeah. But the destination? That was always you and me."
My eyes are burning. "This is crazy."
"Yeah."
"We barely know each other. Not really. Not like this."
"We'll learn."
"What if it doesn't work?"
His thumb brushes my cheekbone. "It'll work."
"You don't know that."
"Yeah, I do." His eyes are absolutely certain. "Because I'm keeping you, Grace. However long it takes. Whatever it takes. You're mine. And I'm yours. That's not changing."
I should say no.
I should be smart, cautious, and careful.
I should remember what happened last time I trusted a man with my future.
But Shadow isn't Bronco.
Shadow protected me. Kept my secrets. Chose me over his club, over everything he's known for nine years.
Shadow loves me.
And God help me, I love him too.
"Okay," I whisper.
Shadow goes still. "Okay?"
"Marry me." I say it stronger this time. "For real. Not just to protect me. Because I want to. Because I choose you."
His smile is slow and devastating. "Yeah?"
"Yes."
Shadow's across the console in a heartbeat, pulling me to me, kissing me like he's sealing a vow. Possessive, claiming, but also reverent. Like I'm something precious he can't believe is his.
"Mine," he murmurs against my lips.
