“Wait…is that grandma’s ring?” Tiny asked, leaning forward to look at the box.
“Yeah. You got mom’s and I got grandma’s.” Max confirmed with a smile as he stared at the box. “Jose, Teddy, I’d like your permission, and blessing to ask Desiree to marry me. She’s it for me. We’ve already talked about living together, but I want the whole nine yards. I know before I ask her, I would have to get both of your blessings. It’s important to her that I do.”
Max sat there in silence waiting for one of them to ask him what the hell was wrong with him or tell him no. He watched as Jose and Teddy looked at each other in silent communication that only brothers can do.
He knew what it was since he and his own brother did it as well. Tiny was looking at him asking him if he was sure of his question and all he could do was smile widely and nod at his brother.
He was ready for that next step. He knew he loved Desiree and he didn’t want to exist without her.
He’d wasted enough years without her, letting Bradley ruin the beauty that was Desiree. She was strong as fuck and didn’t realize her own strength when it came down to it.
Hell, she didn’t even know her own beauty if truth be told. She wasn’t shallow like a lot of other women he’d met in the past.
With Desiree, what you see is what you get. Or so many may think.
With Desiree, you got depth, hunger, compassion, love, and so much more. She didn’t judge, didn’t demand, didn’t throw tantrums.
She saw a problem, she searched for a solution. He knew that was from years of conditioning with the Army, but something told him that’s how she was before Uncle Sam got a hold of her.
“You really love my sister?” Jose asked, staring Max down with a serious glare.
“Very much. I have for a very long time. She is it for me. There hasn’t been another woman for me since the day I firstsaw her. Lord knows I’ve tried to date others, but it’s always been Desiree for me.” Max admitted to both men, his voice firm and gentle as he talked about Desiree.
“If you hurt her, it won’t matter you’re my best friend or team leader. I will fucking gut you and hide your body.” Teddy warned him, glaring at him like he was ready to do just that.
“I will help you. Brother or not, she’s like a little sister to me, so baby brother, if these two give you their blessing, you better not do anything to cause her to cry once.” Tiny warned Max, letting the brothers know that he had their back.
Max knew exactly what his brother meant. He would rather die than ever cause Desiree a moment of sadness.
“If I ever do, which I will never knowingly do, you have my permission to do whatever you please to me. I will hand you the knife and the gun to use.” Max promised all three men.
Teddy and Jose went back to that silent communication when they stared at one another again for several long moments. When Jose nodded at Teddy, he didn’t know whether to continue to hold his breath or get up and run.
“You have my blessing. I know you love my sister.” Jose finally said, looking at Max clear in the eyes. “Because I know your brother, I know you will treat her the way she deserves to be treated. You’re a good man, Max. Welcome to the family,ifmy sister says yes.” Jose laughed finally, clasping hands with Max and both men stood up and gave each other man hugs, clapping each other on the back.
“Yeah. What Jose said. Welcome to the family.” Teddy repeated, following suit.
Once those two were out of the way, Tiny did the same to him. “I’m glad she’s the one you’re choosing little brother. You two will be very happy together.”
Max couldn’t contain his smile as he continued to talk to the three men. When he heard the women’s voices, all four menturned around to look at the women coming into the common area.
“Mmm now this is what I call a nice surprise. Now all we need is a stripper pole and baby oil.” Bella purred as she winked at the four men.
“No, and no.” Max shook his head refusing. “There’s only one woman I would do that for and she’s coming into the room behind you.”
“Good answer, soldier.” Desiree grinned as she walked up to the man and pulled his head down to kiss him. “I’d hate to have to use a spoon and dig eyeballs out of their heads. Oh, and Bella, you and I will be having a talk later. You owe both Jose and Andrea an apology.”
Before they could discuss the situation further, the room shook after a large explosion sounded in the air. Max pulled Desiree into his arms and made sure she was covered.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Desiree gripped onto Max when the explosion sounded. Once it was clear that nothing else was going to blow, she pushed Max off of her and took off running for the door.
She halted and moved out of the way of the window to quietly look outside for any signs of danger. All she could see was a vehicle on fire in the darkness outside.
“Who drove vehicles here?” Desiree asked as she turned to look at the four men.
