There he was. My storm. My anchor. Jay looked up from the table, lip quirked in that half-smirk that was only for me.
“Morning, princess.” His voice was gravel, warm enough to melt me from the inside out.
Chapter 63
Reaper
“Keep her busy for the day,” I told Finn that morning.
He gaped at me with his eyebrow cocked. “You want me to take your girl out for the day?”
“I want you to distract her, not flirt with her.”
He grinned. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Pres, but she’s gonna ask questions.”
“Then lie better than you usually do.”
He laughed, clapped me on the shoulder, and walked off muttering something about sainthood and babysitting duty. I watched them ride out, Lucy perched behind him, and the knot in my chest tightened.
I had work to do. Big work.
The backyard was a mess, but the brothers showed up for me. Even some of the club girls pitched in—Honey with her easy laugh, Sasha with her sharp wit, and Raven with her sly smirk. They’d taken to Lucy fast, pulling her into their drinks and their conversations.
We strung fairy lights from the fence posts over the old oak tree, wrapped beams until the place looked like it belonged in a dream. Fake flowers lined the railings. The rough picnic tableswere wiped down and set with mismatched tablecloths and drinks. Music hummed through the air. Link manned the grill like a warrior. Nobody, not even me, was allowed near.
It wasn’t fancy, but it was ours.
Hours passed as the sun dipped low, and then I heard her sweet laugh before I saw her. She walked into the backyard beside Finn, boots crunching gravel, eyes wide, shopping bags falling from her hands.
She stopped, mouth open, wide eyes darting around the space, taking in all the changes.
Everyone turned.
Club girls smiled. The brothers raised their beers. Riot gave me the faintest nod, and Finn winked at me before gently guiding her towards the fire pit, where we’d made her a seat.
She was glowing and surrounded by people who loved her, laughing at something Finn said, looking like she belonged. Because she did. She always had. She just didn’t know it. Hell, I hadn’t known it to start. It had crept up on me.
My palms were sweating, which was ridiculous because I’d survived wars, betrayal, and come near death. But this was something else entirely.
I walked towards her, and her eyes found mine, soft and curious.
I dropped to one knee, and the entire world stilled.
“Lucy,” I said, voice shaky, nerves showing. “You brought fire into my life when I was standing in ash. You gave me a reason to breathe again. To fight again. I can’t—no, won’t—imagine this world without you in it.”
Her lips parted, and her eyes filled with tears.
“I didn’t think I’d ever be the kind of man who got to have someone like you. I’ve done too much. Lost too much. But you... you stayed. Now, I need to prove to you that I’m worth the fire you lit in me.”
I pulled out the ring. It was simple silver. Engraved inside were the words,‘Burn with me.’
“You’re already my old lady,” I said, my throat tight, “but will you marry me?”
A long heartbeat, then she launched at me, arms around my neck, laughter in my ear, yeses coming fast and breathless. “Yes, yes, yes, of course, yes!”
The ring slid onto her finger perfectly.
Cheers erupted. Riot barked approval. Someone, probably Link, whistled loud enough to startle the birds. Finn whooped like it was his own wedding.
