He sighs at my soft declaration. “Okay, fine. You win. I’ll be up there, but Wylder…will I be by your side the entire time? You won’t leave me to stand there awkwardly, right?”
“Yes, you’ll always be by my side. And if I have my way, you’ll stay there forever.”
Neo sucks in a breath. “Forever?”
I give him a wry smile. “I thought the ring would’ve tipped you off.”
His eyes dart down to his other present from me that he unwrapped on Christmas Day. “I thought this was just a tracker.”
I tug him tighter into my side. “Then why are you wearing it on your ring finger?”
Neo splutters and coughs as his face reddens.
My grin is now so broad that it’s making my cheeks ache. “Settle down, brat. I haven’t proposed.”
“Good,” he wheezes, glaring up at me. “Because the other guykinda needs to be aware that’s what’s happening. And accept, of course.”
I chuckle, dusting my lips over his forehead. “I’m not that obtuse.”
“Then why did you point out that I’m wearing it on that finger?”
“Because I like it,” I say hoarsely, turning to face Neo. I cup his face, my thumbs stroking down his cheeks. “More than I probably should. I like that everyone you come across will see it and know you belong to me. That you’re mine, just as I’m yours.”
Neo’s smile is almost as bright as mine. “In that case, you need one too.”
I smirk. “Now who’s proposing?”
“Definitely not me. I want something grand and unexpected for my proposal. I’ve never had anyone do anything like that for me before.” He winces suddenly. “Shit, is that too demanding?”
I silence him with a kiss. “No. I wouldn’t expect anything less. And I wouldn’t do any less for you, either. Don’t worry. I’ve got it under control.”
He laughs, patting my arm. “Sure, darling.”
He doesn’t believe me, but that’s fine. Maybe he thinks it’s too soon for him to hope for such things.
But I’m long past giving a shit about society’s expectations and restrictions, and it’s all thanks to this beautiful man at my side. He’s the one who pushes me not to be better, but to be happier. Not to think of others, but to think of myself.
That’s what I’m doing. I’m thinking about my future happiness. About myself, and what that will look like.
I don’t need to think for long.
All I need is Neo. My brat.
He’s given me everything I didn’t realize was missing from my life.
And now, I’ll spend the rest of it giving him everything, too.
EPILOGUE
SAMSON
“Out of fucking carne asada,” I grumble as I glare at the menu through my open window. The heat in my car is on low, but I suddenly feel warm all over, that slow-rising rage moving through me like a tsunami. The carnage will come sooner rather than later. I need to wait until I have the appropriate outlet. I shouldn’t put my axe through the screen in front of me to tell them how unhappy I am.
I shouldn’t, but I’m tempted to. I have one right in the front seat. Not that Wylder would approve of my choice of weapon.
I can just picture his look of exasperation.
He has no imagination.
