“Something I should’ve done already.”
He turns toward the room.
“A week ago someone tried to take her from me.”
The atmosphere shifts instantly.
The laughter disappears.
Ryan’s grip tightens around my hand.
“Not happening.”
He reaches into the inside pocket of his cut.
My heart is beating so loud I’m pretty sure everyone can hear it.
Then he pulls something out.
A patch.
Black.
Simple.
White letters stitched across it.
PROPERTY OF HAWK
My breath catches.
Ryan turns toward me.
His voice drops lower.
Rougher.
“You already know how I feel about you.”
The room is silent.
“But if I’m doing this… I’m doing it right.”
His thumb brushes lightly across my knuckles.
“Emma.”
My chest feels like it might burst.
“You ready to stand beside me for the rest of this ride?”
Tears sting my eyes.
“Will you be my Old Lady?”
The answer comes out before I even think.
“Yes.”
