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“To marry you.”
“Do it. Do it. Do it,” they all chanted.
I’d never felt so awkward in my life. When I turned around, grabbing the box, I narrowed my eyes. “Bastards,” I whispered, but I couldn’t keep a grin off my face. When I turned around, she had a demure look on her face. The entire bar was suddenly crowded around me. Shit. For all the years I’d hated grandstanding, I knew this had to be right.
So I did what any brute of a man should do. I dropped down on one knee. “My sweet Amelie, my resident bad girl, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?”
She scrunched her nose, tapping her index finger across her lips as if debating. I could swear you could hear a pin drop in the entire expansive bar.
Five seconds passed.
Ten.
Fifteen.
“Yes!” As soon as the word erupted from her mouth, the entire bar cheered.
As I pulled her into my arms again, I couldn’t resist whispering in her ear, “You’re getting a spanking tonight.”
“For what?”
“For you being you, my beautiful yet naughty woman.”
* * *
Maverick
“There’s the place,” Amelie said as she pointed toward a diner. I pulled into the parking lot, eyeing the location suspiciously as I’d done almost everything in the last few days. While the danger had passed, I remained concerned, even with Gage’s assurances that none of Giovanni’s men had even had the opportunity to leave Chicago.
“Are you sure about this?” She’d told me this was the last thing on her agenda, a necessity to ease her mind. I understood, but I was worried she’d succumb to another wave of anger or sadness.
“Yes. I just need to meet them. My mother thought highly enough of the Wellses that she mentioned they were good people. There was a reason. It’s the last piece of the horrible story to put into place. Then I plan on putting the past behind me.”
I cut the engine and an awkward tension shifted between us, the unknown about what could happen eating at both of us. “I get it, baby. I just don’t want you hurt.”
She unfastened her seatbelt, shifting until she could face me. Then she took my hand into hers, bringing it to her face. “I’m safe with you. I’m happy. I love you. That’s all that matters.”
Exhaling, I leaned over, giving her a quick kiss. “You kicked butt.”
She laughed. “I did what was necessary.”
“We have plans to make.”
“I need to enroll in the university, and finish my degree. And I have a job.”
“Your job is pleasing me.” Her brow furrowed when I laughed.
“We shall see. I have ideas that I think you’re going to enjoy.”
As I shot her a look, she gave me a heated one. “Just remember who’s boss of the family.”
“I like the term.”
“Just out of curiosity, what do you hope to learn from the Wellses?”
“Honestly? Nothing of importance. Maybe I just need to end the final chapter. They were the last people to see her alive.”
Nodding, I thought about all she’d endured over her lifetime, the anger just below the surface. I wanted nothing more than to champion her, ensuring her life was filled with joy. The woman had changed my entire perspective and I refused to take that lightly.
