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The woman takes it and they melt together as they begin to dance a slow waltz.

“Good for him.”

I startle from watching the couple dance and turn to Dame when he says it.

“Huh?”

He wraps his arms around me from behind and nods his chin at the house.

“Laz. I’m glad he’s got some female company over.” He frowns. “The poor bastard has the shittiest luck with women, especially considering his birthday.”

I look up at him over my shoulder. “What do you mean?”

“It’s on Valentine's Day.”

I bark out a laugh.

“You're kidding.”

“Nope. The guy was literally born on Valentine's Day and still can't get his love life together. My mom’s full-time hobby is trying to set him up on dates. He bombs out every time.”

“Yeah, well, people do mostly suck.”

He shrugs. “Fair.”

“Present company excluded, of course.”

He chuckles and gives me a kiss.

After the dancers disappear, Dame and I finish up. He turns to start the engine again, but I stop him with a hand on his arm as my pulse kicks up a notch. This next bit has been months in the making.

“Hang on,” I say with a grin. “I have a surprise for you.”

He smirks. “Your track record with surprises is deeply concerning.”

I roll my eyes. “Just shut up and let me do this, okay?”

Dame gives me a curious smile, but his expression radically changes when I suddenly drop to a knee.

…And pull the little black ring box out of my pocket.

For a moment, neither of us says a word.

“Uh…” Dame clears his throat. “You understand we're already married, right?”

I roll my eyes.

“Yes, ass. I was there, remember? Just open it.”

He gives me a wary look, then takes the box in his hand and slowly opens the lid as I stand.

The apprehension immediately vanishes from his face as his jaw drops.

Inside, nestled in black velvet, is the Barone signet ring that I stole the night we crossed paths over a vat of neon green acid. The one I tried to give back when I had Galina stick it in his gym locker, which he then tossed into the fucking Sound because he probably thought it was a severed testicle or a gouged eye.

I mean, fair.

For several seconds, he doesn't move.