AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A smile pulls at my lips over the fact I was somewhat obsessed with the story of Max Luciano when all this time it was Tiernan. It makes me believe in soul mates. That on some level my soul knew this man was important to me. So much so that I’d dug up crap on him for a year, writing down every bit of evidence and conjecture in my journal.
“Darling?” My head jerks up, and I see my mom standing over me with a mug in her hand. “I know that look. You’re in love.”
I take the mug from her. “Yeah.” I sip the hot chocolate. It’s my favorite. She makes them every night before bed. It’s actually the one thing we always did together before I moved out. I’d cherished that little sliver of time we’d spend together. She’d make the drinks, and we’d sit in the living room drinking it while I read or played on my phone while she checked over her emails one last time before calling it a night.
“He’s a dangerous man, but I’m not one to judge. I married a dangerous man myself.”
I bark out a laugh at the thought of my dad being dangerous. But the look on her face tells me she’s not joking.
“I guess you’re right.” I never thought about my dad being some sort of troublemaker, but I guess he is in his own way. He started as a hacker, and he wasn’t exactly doing things on the up and up. I don’t think of Tiernan as being dangerous either, but I know he is. I’m sure in the last 24 hours and possibly right now while I sip on this hot chocolate, that he is most likely out there killing someone. Yet that thought doesn’t scare me in the least because I know he’s doing it to protect me.
Both my parents seem to be handling me bringing Tiernan home better than I thought they would. Especially since I told them the truth of who he really is. I know he pulled my dad aside, and they talked for a while before he took off and left me here, stashed away with my parents. This is the safest place in Hollywood if I have to guess. I’m sure that’s the only reason Tiernan was okay with leaving my side.
My parents had started building this fortress when I moved out for college and got my own place. The giant dome house is lifted off the ground right outside of Hollywood on a nice mountain that overlooks the city. From the outside, it looks to be all glass. We can see out everywhere, but no one can see in it. The whole place is run on solar power. It’s impressive.
“Where do you think some of my books and things might have ended up?” They’d been in my room, but that was in the old place.
Mom looks thoughtful. “Hmm. I might have them here.”
I set my mug down and follow her along a hallway. I watch as she touches the door, and it slides into the wall, revealing my bedroom.
“It’s my room.” I step inside. All my crap is here. It looks like my old room with the only difference now being the walls are all glass.
“Did you think I tossed your things out?” Her perfect eyebrows pull together.
“I thought maybe you boxed everything up or something,” I admit.
“I know I’m not super motherly, but you’re still my baby girl, Daphne. I’m sorry. I should have been better. I should have spent more time with you. Your father and I just wanted you to be independent, but we also threw ourselves into our work more than we should’ve, I guess. We’re both too ambitious. Always have been.” She gives me a smile. “I’ll be better. I promise. My grandkids will have the best grandma,” she adds. Again it’s one of those times that I’m reminded my parents do love me. They’re just a little different. I saw the look on both of their faces when I showed up alive and well.Relief. Mom actually looked like she might cry.
“I love you, Mom.” I walk over and give her a hug. She kisses my cheek.
“I love you too, darling.” She hugs me a little tighter. “I’ll be in the living room,” she says before leaving me alone in my room. I go to my old trunk and place my thumb on the lock screen. It clicks open. My dad put the special lock on it for me. I thought it was magic back then. I laugh, thinking back on it.
I reach in, finding the one thing I’m looking for, and take it out. For some reason I have this overwhelming need to show it to Tiernan. It’s proof that I’ve been obsessed with him for a while now. Fate. “This was fate all along.” I trace the cover with my index finger.
“Red?”
I drop the book as I jump to my feet. Tiernan stands in the doorway of my bedroom. I run over to him and launch myself at him.
“I love you,” I say over and over while I kiss him.
“Love you too.” He steps into my room and lets the door close behind him. “You’re free,” he says. “From the assholes who sent the mercs, at least. But you’re stuck with me.”
I burst into laughter. “I’m okay with that.”
He carries me over to my bed and sits down with me in his lap.
“Good.” He grabs my wrist and slips a ring onto my finger. I gasp as I take in the giant teardrop ruby that’s set in a platinum band.
“Your father and I came to an agreement. I keep your little ass alive and happy, and you’re all mine. If I don’t, he said my face and location would flood the internet, and I think there was a mention of having done all the high level security for the nuclear codes.”
I shake with silent laughter. “Look, I know I’m a catch. Settling down wasn’t something I was really thinking about, but … I guess I can marry you.” I let out a sigh.
He turns and pins me onto my bed.
“I wasn’t asking.” He kisses me.
I moan into his mouth.
