Chapter 21
Michael
“Marry me, Zaira. Make me the happiest man in the world and agree to become my wife,” I say to her as I nuzzle her awake.
“Michael.” She moans. Obviously she doesn’t like to be woken up.
I nuzzle her again. “Marry me, babe.”
Her eyes open wide, and she looks at me stunned. “Michael, be serious. I’m already marrying you.”
“Humor me, Zaira. Pretend we’re not engaged. Pretend we’ve known each other all our lives and that we are in love,” I reply.
“Michael, I don’t have to pretend. I know we’ve known each other all our lives, and I know we are in love.”
“Just tell me you’ll marry me.” I’m persistent. If we can move forward from now, then our engagement won’t be a lie anymore. I will have proposed, and she will have said yes.
She stretches up and places her nose right behind my ear as she whispers to me, “Yes, Michael. I’ll marry you.” Her words make my heart explode with happiness. She is gonna be my wife. She said yes.
“Let’s get married right away. We could go to Vegas.”
“Michael, what’s wrong with you? Why all of a sudden do we need to rush this?” she asks.
“Because, Zaira, why should we wait another minute to be together like this all the time? Haven’t we waited long enough?”
She turns to lie on her side so she’s completely facing me, and I can tell by the look in her eyes that she knows I’m right. “Okay, Vegas it is.”
“I have something for you.” I turn to the nightstand and open the drawer. After pulling out a small box, I hand it to her. “I don’t have a ring yet, but I want you to have this.”
She opens the box, and her eyes sparkle as she takes the delicate silver-and-turquoise bracelet from the box. “It was my grandmother’s.”
“Michael, it’s beautiful,” she says with tears in her eyes.
As she puts on the bracelet, I pull her close. “You’ve made me the happiest man, Zaira.” I swat at her behind. “You better get up. You have a Vegas wedding to plan.”
“Holy shit.” She jumps, and the covers dropping from her body expose her bare breasts. I lean down and suckle, and she moans. “Well, the planning can wait a little while.” She giggles as I pull her into my arms.
***
Waking up in Zaira’s arms was unlike anything I have ever known. I’ve always believed she was the right woman for me, and after last night, I know it’s a fact. No other woman completes me like she does. She is my match in every way.
I’ve been working for hours, which is hours away from Zaira, and already I’m pussy-whipped. I’ve got some serious shit to deal with, like taking Carmine and Armino down, and I can’t let Zaira get in the way. I need to focus.
I’ve been waiting to hear from Ricco. They had a lead on Carmine and Armino this morning, and hopefully—if all went well—they’ll be bringing them in. I walk to the door and open it. Ricco is standing at his post, and I see Marco walking toward us.
“We got ’em, Michael,” Marco says proudly.
“Are they alive?” I ask.
“Yep, and they’re in the watershed on the compound.” He smirks and then says, “Waiting for you.”
Well, life just doesn’t get any better than this. I turn toward Ricco. “Call Vince. Tell him we’ve got his boys.”
“Will do,” he says.
“Tell him he has one hour to get here if he wants to talk to them at all. ’Cause after I’m done with them and right before I kill them, I doubt they will have much to say.”
Ricco nods and pulls out his phone. He steps away to dial Vince. I turn back into my office, Marco following behind.
