Page 59 of Married to the Enemy

“Because,” Raffe said, standing while also ignoring the pile of chips in front of him, “just like you, I’ve heard rumors.” He turned to Paulo. “You’re protecting the daughter of Ronan Keane.” He turned to Sal and Tony. “Seems like we all have some experience in keeping violent men away from their daughters.” He glanced at Paulo and saw the truth in his expression. “I’m guessing she’s in trouble.” He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, shocked by what he was about to offer. “If there’s anything I can do—legally—to help, I hope you’ll ask.”

The room went still. Paulo’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully and he nodded. “I appreciate the offer.”

Raffe gave them all a long look, then walked out.

Raffe shook his head as he stepped out into the night. Scariest men in the mid-west. Absolute killers. And possibly some of the best men he’d ever meet.

Somehow, that gave him hope.

Chapter 43

Mia held her coffee until it was cold, her eyes never leaving the door. Raffe had left over an hour ago. He’d put his foot down about her going with him and this time, she wasn’t able to get around him. He’d looked her in the eye and said flatly, “Please, Mia, stay here where I know you’re safe.”

So, she stayed. And stared at the doors until her eyeballs ached.

“He’s going to be fine,” she whispered to herself. “He’s tough. Everything is going to be okay.”

When he strode confidently through the doors of The Waldorf Astoria, Mia didn’t hesitate as she ran through the crowded lobby, throwing herself into his arms. “Don’t ever do that to me again!” she whispered as his arms wrapped around her.

He buried his face against her neck and she felt the tension drain out of her. When he finally lowered her feet to the floor, she looked up at him. “Everything okay?”

He smiled and took her hand. “Yeah. I think everything is going to be great.” He looked around, shaking his head at the two overnight bags she’d left on the floor by her chair. “We’re going to have to work on your security protocols.”

Mia leaned into him as they returned to their bags. “Can we go home now?”

He lifted the bags, tossing them over one shoulder while he wrapped his arm around her, leading her out the door. “Yeah. Let’s go home. No telling what kind of mischief your grandmother is cooking up with Freddy.”

It took forty-five minutes to work their way out of the traffic surrounding Chicago. But once they were on Highway Ninety, heading north back to Minneapolis, Mia finally began to relax.

“I think we should get married,” he announced.

Mia shifted, adjusting her seatbelt so that she could face him. “Excuse me? Did you forget something?” She lifted her hand, showing the gold band that he’d slid onto her finger. It felt like a lifetime ago now.

He shifted slightly, then pulled something out of his pocket, offering the little black box to her. “I think we should do it again, with Freddy and Evangeline there with us.” He paused while she lifted the lid, gasping at the beautiful diamond ring nestled inside.

When she looked up at him, her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “Really?” she gasped.

He nodded. “Yeah. You love me. I love you. We should make it properly official. More of a choice this time.”

Mia beamed, wishing she could ditch the seatbelt and crawl onto his lap. “Yes,” She replied, nodding emphatically. “I’d love that.”

He nodded as well, keeping his eyes on the road, but he reached out to her and she laced her fingers through his.

“And maybe we could formally adopt Freddy?” she asked softly, watching his features carefully.

He glanced at her quickly before returning his eyes to the highway, but his fingers tightened around hers.

“Yeah. I’d like that. As long as he’s okay with it.”

“Damn, I love you,” she said, then lifted his hand, kissing his palm.

“Then it’s a date,” he agreed.

“A date,” she agreed.

Epilogue

“Approved!” the judge said, slamming the gavel, emphasizing the judgment.