“I love you,” I say, and suddenly I’m holding back tears.“I love you.”I thought it would be scary to say it, but it’s not.It’s a relief.It’s wonderful.“I’m sorry I was afraid to tell you before now?—”
“You mean when you’re not leaping off a roof to your death?”
He’s still trying to forgive me for that.
“Yes.That.”I never expected to have this life.But now that I have it, I’m going to live.
“I love you,” I say again, and I’m crying and laughing at the same time.I mess up his hair and that does it; he grasps my wrists and chuckles at my enthusiasm.“And I’m so happy we get to be together right now.’
“Finally,” he deadpans, and I laugh.
It’s such a pleasure to be with him right now, without any danger hanging over our heads.And maybe we’ll never be a normal couple.We're probably too fucked up for that, but we're fucked up in the ways that make us fit each other.
Alfie’s voice echoes through the cave, breaking the moment.“Message from Kaiser: Mission Wifey complete, over.”
“Message to Kaiser, Affirmative.Over,” Rex dictates.
“Wifey?”I wrinkle my nose at him.
“Your codename.”
“Ugh.Wifey?Really?”I want to be with Rex, not be that cringy couple from the suburbs.
It’s worth it, though, because Rex is now wearing a small smile.“I knew you’d hate it.”
“Just for that, we’re inviting Victor to the wedding.”I feel a thrill at the word wedding.Another thing I never thought I’d want, and here I am, adding career criminals to the guest list.The assassin deserves a place of honor after he saved me.“And the twins.”Fraternitas may be the scourge of the city, but the twins made themselves useful.And I’m curious to meet their partners.Apparently, Kaiser is going through with an arranged marriage, which I find fascinating and unexpected.
“Fine.But not St.James.”
“According to Hamish, he’ll show up anyway.”
“Yes.”Rex glowers.He’s jealous.I kinda love it.
“And I’m making your code name ‘Hubby.’”
“I can live with that.”He smirks, and I roll my eyes.Of course, he loves it.He thinks marriage is a form of ownership, and he loves that he’s getting his way.He’s lucky I’m still not insisting on a divorce.“Shall I tell Nadia to plan for a spring wedding?”
“I don’t know.I still haven’t gotten a proposal.”I go to playfully punch his arm and squeak when his fingers snap around my wrist.
“Careful, little bird.”His voice drops to the lowest register, and my stomach does a slow somersault.Holding my gaze, he carefully presses a kiss to my wrist.I inhale sharply as my entire core clenches like he hooked his finger behind my belly button and tugged.“You know I’d get on my knees for you.”He nuzzles my sensitive skin.“But I believe you prefer it the other way around.”
“Yes.”My voice grows breathy as lust rolls over me.I’m already wet for him, just from his voice and attention.“Take me to bed.”
“Not the dungeon?”He’s using his dom voice, and my body goes heavy as I lean into him.
“You decide?—”
“That’s right.”
“My king,” I add softly and have the pleasure of watching his eyes darken.
“Yes.But first...”He lifts me in his arms, rising and turning to place me back on his seat.
What?I don’t understand what he’s doing until he takes one knee.He clasps my hand—the one that already bears his ring.
“Inara Ramos, will you marry me?”
I’m surprised by a sudden rush of tears pricking my eyes.“Yes, I will.Again.”
