"When we finally got to you, and I saw you lying there, my will to live disintegrated. I thought you were dead, and at that moment, I didn’t want to exist. The thought of being in a world without you in it, well, I couldn’t do it. I decided then and there that I would never let you go. You are my everything, Cassie. We are connected..." I pull her down closer to me and place my forehead against hers. "Mind. Body. And soul. I will spend every moment till we die being the man you need me to be and the man you deserve. You are my soulmate, Cassie. So...” I take the ring from the box and hold it to her delicate finger. “Will you make me the happiest man in existence and become my wife?"
A small sob escapes her throat, and I hear Sunny and Ash sniffling as well. Damnit, now I am going to cry. Her makeup is running down her face from the amount of tears falling.
"Yes, Lucian. A bazillion times, yes. I would love nothing more than to be your wife." She cries harder as our lips lock. I can feel my tears leaking down my face as well. I don’t think there has ever been a moment in my life where I felt more complete. I pull away to show her the ring. It’s stunning, just like her. Trilliant cut 1 carat in the center with smaller diamonds circling it, white gold. And on the inside of the band, I inscribed the words "I know." She laughs while crying when she sees the words—my little Star Wars nerd. God, I love her. I slide it onto her finger and have to kiss her again.
Everyone is crying and hugging now. I’m so glad they were here for this. I’m also glad the box thing worked out. Had she rolled less than ten, she would have had to bust the box open, and I would have feared for the ring at that point. We have been through so much, and there is more to come, but I know it will all be ok as long as I have her by my side. She gives me strength, courage, and power. She is my queen, and I, her king. We will take on this world hand in hand, and if anyone fucks with us, well, we now are part of a very powerful family, and I’ve learned some tricks. No one can hurt us now.
Epilogue
1 Year Later
Cassie
We rush from the reception. I can’t believe I just married my best friend, my soulmate. The last year has been a whirlwind of events. Jayme’s dad retired three weeks after we moved to Santa Monica. Jayme became the CEO of West Enterprises. He immediately appointed Lucian as COO. The company is thriving. We live in an amazing apartment right next door to Jayme, and our balcony looks out over the ocean. Lucian developed a new AI-integrated security system for the company, skyrocketing them to the number 1 spot for most secure in the United States and 3rd in the world. It’s nuts.
Jayme’s other "business" is running smoothly as well. Thankfully, Lucian hasn’t come home with more than a few bumps and cuts—no more gunshot wounds. I still worry every night that they do go out, but I know they have each other’s backs. They have even taught me how to shoot now, too. I’m not half bad if I do say so myself. Jayme even teased Lucian that I shot better than when he first had a gun.
When it came to the rest of the world, Allie received a proper burial. Theo’s case went cold. They figured it was one of the shady underground groups he was dealing with. They did, however, have his name tarnished, and he was named as Allie's killer. His company was destroyed, and Mr. Snider now runs that part of New York. Madame Odette, Mr. Snider, and his wifeall made it out for the wedding, along with Ash, Sunny, and our families. It was honestly the picture-perfect wedding.
As I get to the limo, I look back at our friends and family. Near the back, I see Ash, but she is talking to someone. I stand on my tiptoes and realize it is Jayme. Everyone is focused on us, so no one sees the quick kiss between them. I definitely need to talk to her after the honeymoon. It’s been over a year of their back-and-forth nonsense. As we climb into the limo, Lucian pulls me onto his lap.
"Come here, Mrs. Ryder. I have wanted to rip that dress off you since I saw you walking down that aisle."
"Lucian, No. This dress is $2,000. Do not even cause a single tear in this beautiful dress."
"HA! You think I won’t just buy you another, just to rip that one off your body as well?" He lightly grips my throat, and I melt into him. He knows how to subdue me so easily.
"Please, no." I whimper.
"What was that, Mi Amor? He grips my throat tighter.
"Please no, Sir." I gasp out.
"Good girl." As he slides his hand up my dress. When he gets to my core, he finds the present I have for him. His eyes darken with desire.
"Nothing underneath? Did you do this just for me, my love? Such a dirty girl." He starts toying with me, gently rubbing my clit as he bites on that toe-curling spot on my neck.
"Lucian, we are going to be at the jet soon. Can’t you wait?"
"What! You want me to wait to fuck my wife. Oh hell no." He laughs as he lays me down on the long side bench seat.
We are spending a week at Jayme's family villa in the Maldives, then flying to Italy for another week. It is going to be great.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with this man. My best friend. My soul mate. My obsession. My everything.
Lucian
WHEN SHE STEPPED THROUGHthe doors, time stood still. The setting sun was casting an orange glimmer around the cathedral. She was glowing, absolutely angelic, as she walked down the aisle toward me. I could see her beautiful eyes beneath the thin veil, locked on mine.
The ceremony went by in a blur; I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. She was stunning. She never let me see the dress before the wedding, but I knew she searched for eight months for the perfect dress. And it was just that, perfect, just like her. I repeated my lines to the witnesses to solidify our promises to each other. The only words I coherently understood were her saying, “I do.” With those two words, my life felt complete. I had everything I could have ever wanted. Well almost. There was still one more thing, but I had to wait until we were on the plane to tell her.
I couldn’t keep my hands off her in the limo. My wife. My wife. My wife. I couldn’t stop saying it as we made love. It was cramped, but we have done it in worse spots, my little freak. She has a mild voyeurism and exhibitionism kink, we discovered.
When we finally get settled, and the plane takes off, I grab my backpack to pull out a gift for her. I have been saving it for when I thought she was ready. She’s smiling, completely lost in her phone, looking at all the photos people have been tagging her in from the wedding and reception.
“Cassie. I have something for you.” She puts her phone on the table and looks up at me seductively.
“A present already. Hmm, what could it be.” She takes the white box from my hands and shakes it. She is obsessed with trying to guess gifts before she opens them. I roll my eyes and laugh.
