She laughed. “That you are, but from now on,no compelling the police.”
“I can’t make any promises.”
Like the rest of her supernatural abilities,her ability to compel a person was stronger than it should havebeen, but she hated using it. After the test where she’d used hercompulsion on a human, she’d put her foot down and informed Ronanshe wouldn’t do it again. He’d frowned at her, and she got thefeeling he didn’t often hear no from anyone, but he hadn’t askedher to do it again.
“I’m proud of you,” Aiden said.
Setting her down, he walked her over to theothers who had come to watch the race. Abby, Brian, and Vicky wereat the front of the pack, waving American flags. Ethan and Stefanhad returned home before coming back with their mates, Isabelle andEmma. Ian and his wife Paige had arrived last night.
They’d all left their children behind,claiming some much-needed grown-up time, but Maggie had a feelingthey wanted a chance to interrogate her without interruption.They’d also all been happy to assure her there were plenty ofothers eagerly waiting to meet her.
That knowledge wasn’t as off-putting to heras it would have been a month ago. She was excited to embrace hernew life with Aiden, willing to let down her guard and allow morepeople and vampires into her life. She was looking forward tofinally experiencing a life filled with love and family. She wasalso relieved to discover that she liked everyone she’d met. Theywere warm and open and excited to have her in their lives.
“I never realized how much fun this couldbe!” Vicky gushed. “All the excitement, the competition, the beer!I’m going to have to check out one of those ball games next. I feellike I’ve been missing out!”
“Youwant to go to a baseball game?”Maggie inquired.
“Oh, I don’t care what balls are involved,just as long as I get to cheer for them.”
Maggie blinked at her. “I don’t know how torespond to that.”
“No one does,” Aiden muttered, and Vickylaughed.
Maggie grinned when she saw her grandmotherpushing her way through the crowd. For the first time in her life,she had a relative at something to cheer forher. She huggedMarsha as she fought against crying. Today was not a day for tears.It was a day for celebration.
Later, they would meet up with her teammatesto celebrate their success, the money they’d raised, and Roger.Tomorrow, she and Aiden were leaving for New Hampshire where theywould spend a week with her grandma before going to Maine to meetthe rest of his family.
A month ago, the only family Maggie had wasRoger. She missed him every day, but as she gazed around, sherealized how much her family had grown in such a short time.Tilting her head back, she grinned at Aiden and leaned against hisside.
I love you, Nosferatu,she whisperedinto his mind.
You’re my savior and my love, MagdaleneByrne.
She rose on her toes to kiss him. “Byrne?Are we married then?” she murmured in his ear so no one else couldhear her.
“We’re more than that, but I’ll gladly marryyou to make it official.”
“Do I get a ring?” she teased.
“Two of them.”
She laughed, but when she stepped away fromhim, she saw how serious he was. She opened her mouth to say more,but he went down to his knee and pulled out a ring box. Lifting thelid, he revealed the beautiful sapphire ring, surrounded by smalldiamonds, within. Maggie’s hand flew to her mouth as she gawked atit.
“Will you marry me?” he asked her.
Tears streamed down her face as she nodded,unable to speak, and the others cheered. Rising, he slid thegorgeous ring on her finger and embraced her. She laughed as hespun her around before setting her down, clasping her face, andkissing her.
That night, they also celebrated theirengagement as they stood surrounded by friends and family. Maggiehad never dared to dream of having so much love in her life, butthen, before she met Aiden, she’d barely known love at all. Eventhough she wished A.J. and Roger could have been here to see this,she’d never been happier.
Aiden embraced Maggie against his chestwhile he danced with her in the shadows of the bar. He’d been socertain he’d never find her in time to save himself, but as he heldher close, he had no concerns the darkness would call to him again.He couldn’t wait to introduce her to the rest of his family.
“Aiden,” she murmured.
“Yes?”
“I’ve decided you aren’t the devil, but I’dgladly go through Hell for you.”
It took him a second to recall theconversation they’d had in the car when he’d first taken her fromher apartment to the hotel.
