Brynn steps closer immediately. “You’re the man who stayed when things got ugly,” she says quietly. “You’re the one who made me feel safe when I didn’t trust anyone. You’re patient with me even when I’m difficult. You see me when I’m struggling before I say a word.”Landon’s throat works hard. “And honestly?” she adds with a small smile, “I kind of love that you look like you’d kill someone for inconveniencing me.”
“I would,” he says immediately. The entire yard laughs.
Brynn shakes her head affectionately. “I know.” Then her expression softens again. “You gave me somewhere to belong,” she whispers. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life being grateful for that.”
Landon looks wrecked. When he finally speaks, his voice comes out rough. “I don’t really know how to do speeches.”
“Good,” Brynn says. “Neither do I.”
He huffs out a laugh. Then he takes both her hands carefully. “I love you,” he says simply. “More than I knew I could love anybody.” His eyes lock on hers. “And there is nothing on this earth I wouldn’t do for you.” Brynn tears up immediately. Landon looks alarmed by that. “Oh fuck, are you crying?”
“Yes,” she laughs.
“Oh God.”
“Landon.”
“I’m making it worse, huh?”
“A little.”
He pulls her into him anyway, holding her like she’s the most precious thing he’s ever touched. Which she is.
Blaze is grinning before Bella even reaches him. Not normal smiling. Dangerous smiling. The kind that means he’s about to say something inappropriate in front of everyone.
Bella points at him immediately. “Behave.”
“That feels targeted.”
“It’s supposed to.”
Blaze takes her hands dramatically. “Princess, you showed up looking like this. I physically cannot behave.”
“Try harder.”
“No.” The yard laughs. Blaze looks her up and down slowly, completely unashamed. “You’re really trying to kill me in front of my whole club, huh?”
Bella rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling too hard to sell annoyance. “I’m beginning to understand why everyone threatens you constantly.”
“It’s because they’re jealous.”
“Of what?”
“You.” Bella snorts softly. Then Blaze’s expression shifts under the humor. Still him. Still playful. But real underneath it now. “When I met you, I thought you were gonna run screaming eventually,” he admits. “Actually, scratch that. I thought your rich family would have me buried in a swamp somewhere.”
“That’s still possible,” Bella says thoughtfully.
“See? This is why I’m obsessed with you.” She laughs, shaking her head. Blaze squeezes her hands gently. “But then you stayed.” Something in his voice quiets. “You saw exactly what I am and stayed anyway.” Bella’s expression softens immediately. “You make me laugh when I want to lose my shit,” Blaze says. “You make the bad days easier. And somehow you turned this” he gestures to himself, “into a man who actually thinks about forever.”Bella’s eyes shine. “And I swear to God,” he continues, “I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure nobody ever makes you feel less than adored.”
Bella exhales shakily, already emotional.
Then Blaze ruins it immediately. “Also, legally, this means you can’t leave me now.”
Bella gasps. “That was your plan?”
“Absolutely.”
“I want a divorce.”
