A long sigh lagged out of her chest. Then she put her hand in her pocket and brought out the engagement ring. “I don’t know if you still want me to wear it. I certainly know I don’t deserve it.”
I stared at her for a while, and then I took the ring. She wouldn’t meet my gaze, so I tipped her chin up with my finger. Fuck, she was crying again. She dragged the back of her hand over her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Everything. I’m a liar, a cheat and a fucking threat. You haven’t seen a good day since I set foot here. I’ve made so many mistakes. I hurt you, and now I’m the one crying. I’m pathetic, I know.”
I crouched down in front of her. “Don’t be so harsh on yourself, baby girl. You’re just young. We all did shit when we were young. You’re just too innocent to realize you’re a saint compared to any of us.” I rested her palm on mine and slid the ring on her finger.
She gasped. “What are you doing?”
“Putting this right where it fucking belonged.” I smiled at her. “You’ll never take it off.”
“But, Laius, this is… I can’t believe this.”
“What, you thought I’d leave you?”
“Yes. It’s the right thing to do.”
“When I’m fucking dead, maybe, but even that is questionable. I’m never letting you go, Jo. Even if you grew fucking horns and brought hellfire to burn us all, you’re mine to keep forever.”
Her pie hole agape, she just stared at me. “Look, if you’re doing this to protect me, you don’t have to worry about me. I can change my name and disappear again. They won’t find me.”
“I. Won’t. Let. You. Go. You. Are. Mine. To protect and to fuck. Only mine. You hear me, Jo? Only mine.”
“You can’t possibly want me after all that’s happened.”
I took her hand and put it on my erection. The hiss she gave was pure delight. “Oh, I want you all right. You know what I don’t want?” I wiped her tears with my thumb like I always did. “I don’t want to see any more tears in your eyes. Those fuckers who hurt you and killed Madeline, I promise I’ll rip them in pieces right in front of you.”
“Holy fucking cow! Fuck me if that ain’t a ring.” Fort appeared out of nowhere, pointing a beefy finger at Jo’s hand.
I chuckled while she looked like a deer caught in headlights. “Can…can you please keep it down?” she asked. “No one knows yet.”
“Sure, ma’am,” he snorted. “Y’all! Prez is tying the fucking knot!”
Her jaw fell open as she threw her hands in the air. Laughing, I got to my feet, helping her up, too. Then I folded my arm around her waist, bringing her close. “Giddy up. There ain’t no going back from here. You’re stuck on me, baby girl.”
Men and bitches darted out like bullets, creating the loudest noise I’d ever heard, and I’d revved enough bikes for a lifetime.
I couldn’t tell if everyone was happy about the news, especially the sweetbutts. Many of them were jealous for sure, if not all of them, but they wouldn’t dare show it. They plastered their fake grins on their painted faces and squealed at Jo like they were fucking besties.
“When is the wedding, y’all?” Texas asked.
“About that.” Jo smiled at me. “I think I have an idea.”
CHAPTER 32
Jo
“Absolutely fucking brilliant.” Marshall held my face and kissed my cheek.
I froze. It was a friendly kiss, but I wasn’t used to being touched by either strangers or friends. Furore’s fist interfered, punching Marshall out of the way.
“Jesus, bro.” Marshall held his jaw, while Fort and Molar guffawed. “It ain’t like on the lips, y’all.”
“Don’t give a shit.” Furore stood between us, protecting his territory. “She’s off-limits. Not even a handshake.”
I giggled. “You’re crazy. Are you going to punch my coworkers, too, if they dare shake my hand?”
