It seems that my brother has the wrong idea of what’s going on. It’s something I have yet to voice, but I found family in the Kingsley siblings and the Midwestern branch. Rowan never hid anything from me, and he knows I’m capable of handling the hard stuff. He never once tried to shield me from the harsh realities of this lifestyle.
My own blood did. My momliedto me for years about something so profound that it could have shaped my future differently if I had known. She was trying to protect me, but I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need protection. I need honesty. I need trust and confidence in my abilities—something that the people in my life didn’t give me the chance to explore.
But Rowan tells me every gory detail. He lets me read reports and gives me a front-row seat to his life, as if I belong there. He treats me like I’m already a part of his branch, and that comfort extends out to his hit men, whom I’ve found companionship in.
He gave me a purpose because he felt like I fit in perfectly, and I do. I belong in the Midwestern branch with my boyfriend and his insane siblings.
Call it a gut feeling, but something deeper calls to me. It’s as if part of my soul resides in Ohio, because that’s where Rowan is.
Every bit of me calls to him, and I’m done keeping it to myself. I want to be wherever he is.He’smy home.
I square my shoulders, holding my ground as Rowan serves as an anchor beneath me. In his presence, I feel utterly competent and confident. “I’m not going back with you. I’m goinghome, Logan. To Ohio.”
My brother shakes his head. “Dad will get a search party. The rules are a lot more complicated—”
“Stop talking to her like she’s a child,” Rowan snaps, his hard voice carrying across the shoulder. “You’re treating her like she’s incapable of understanding, but I can assure you, she has a far better grasp on this than most of my men do.”
I preen above him, rolling my lips in so I don’t smile during this serious situation.
Logan rolls his eyes. “I’m not treating her like a child. I’m just saying that Dad won’t let her leave. There’s no way out of this.”
I could wilt at the confession, but Rowan proves to be the voice of reason again.
“There isoneway,” my boyfriend says, his eyes finding mine. Those roaring ocean eyes soften until they almost looknervous. It’s so unnatural for him that it makes me remain silent as he takes a deep breath. “You have to marry out to leave their branch. It’s an old custom that most branches keep around out of tradition. The Northwestern branch still seemsto be stuck in the past.”
Oh.
That’s…different.
I quirk a brow, a small smile playing on my lips. “Are you asking me to marry you, Row Row?”
“I am,” he says without hesitation, and my easy smile slips as he cups my cheek. “Addison Bright…”
My heart pounds as I swallow. Everything else around us fades into the background—the cars passing on the highway, the subtle chirps and shifts from the forest surrounding us, and my brother’s cursing as he realizes what’s happening. It’s shoved to the back as Rowan’s handsome features consume me. He looks so off-kilter that my answer could make or break him. I’ve never seen him so anxious in the weeks I’ve gotten to know him. Even when he was discussing his father, he didn’t seem half as scared as he does now.
“I know this is all moving quickly, Sunshine, but I can’t leave you alone. I knew it from the moment I first met you, and you called me an asshole right to my face.” His lips quirk fondly at the memory as the bridge of my nose stings with building tears. “All my life, I’ve been bound by duty to my family. I’ve dedicated years to keeping them well-adjusted and on track. But in the end, it left me feeling empty. Once my purpose was fulfilled, I didn’t know what to do with myself. Untilyoucame along. You swept right into my life like the best whirlwind, and you showed me what it was like to live again. You gave me purpose, Sunshine, and I want that forever. I wantyouforever. I want to wake up to you, I want to show you how to cook, I want to keep your smiles, and watch you shine with pride over your work. I want to laugh with you as we grow old and gray, and I want to be your anchor. I would do anything for you, Addison, and I want the chance to prove it. Will you marry me?”
My tears fall as warmth spreads through my chest. That profound feeling that’s been festering and growing deep in me since the beginning seems to blossom before my very eyes, andI nod as I sob. “I love you, Rowan.”
His eyes widened with disbelief. “Do you mean it, Sunshine? Because I’ve been fucking wrapped since the beginning.”
“I mean it,” I whisper before our lips connect in a passionate kiss that bleeds our shared bond. I melt into him, letting his comfort wrap around me like a blanket. I could stay right here forever so long as he’s here with me.
Rowan rests his forehead on mine, chuckling breathlessly. “My sunshine girl.”
I close my eyes, soaking in his very being. “You gave me purpose, too. I want it all.Everything.”
“You’ve got it,” he says softly. “Everything. I love you so much…”
Hearing him say it back has my pulse pounding as I give a watery, joyous chuckle. He brushes my tears away with his thumbs as he smiles.
Our moment is interrupted by my brother’s groan. “You can’t be serious, Addison. You don’t even know him!”
I peer over at Logan. “Oh, yeah. We’re insane. Pretty sure I need an evaluation.”
My brother only deadpans at me. “No. You’re not doing this.”
“I am,” I shrug. “What are you gonna do? Stop me?”
