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“Not your fault.” I sway the smallest amount, rocking her with me. “I know this sounds callous, but the men that work for me don’t expect long lives. They know what they’re getting. And they know what dying on the job will get their families.”Money. Lots and lots of money.
“But if I hadn’t tricked Rob––” Her voice catches and for the first time in what feels like forever, I tell her something good.
“Robert’s fine.”
She tips her head back to look into my eyes, trying to see the truth in my words.
“He’s fine,” I repeat. “Or he will be. Until I fucking kill him myself for putting you in danger.”
“He’s really okay?” she asks, ignoring my threat.
If it wouldn’t upset her more, I’d absolutely put a bullet in the idiot’s brain. But now he owes me. He owes me a fucking life debt, and he’ll pay that back by being her shadow for the rest of his borrowed life.
Digging my phone out of my pocket, I send a quick text. “He’s fine, you’ll see.”
Setting my phone down, I cup her cheek. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
Payton blinks those teary midnight eyes at me. “What do you mean?”
“Tell me what you need,” I plead with her. “Tell me how to make this up to you. Tell me what you want, Sweet Girl. Tell me, and I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you.”
My heart is pounding in my chest, that underlying current of fear continues to plague me.
Payton raises a hand, placing it over mine on her cheek. “I want a big wedding.”
My mouth opens, but no sound follows.
Beneath my palm, her cheek plumps in a small smile.
“Say that again,” I rasp out.
“You already saved me. In so many ways.” Her pained expression softens. “You don’t need to do anything else, except keep loving me.” My heart clenches so hard it feels like it might crumble. “And I’d like a big wedding dress. One of those puffy skirt ones from the reality shows. And flowers. Lots of flowers.”
“So many flowers,” I agree, closing my eyes, seeing it all exactly as she describes. “With Toto as a ring bearer.”
As if on cue, there’s a soft knock on the bedroom door.
“Come.” I open my eyes and keep my arms around Payton, holding her in place.
The door cracks open and Payton gasps, seeing Robert’s face in the doorway, banged up, but fine, as promised.
He inclines his head, then steps back, allowing an overexcited Toto to shove his way through the door before Robert pulls the door closed, leaving the three of us alone.
Toto’s nails scratch across the floor before he launches himself onto the bed, wiggling against Payton’s side.
“And a live band,” I supply.
Payton nods, scratching Toto behind the ears when he drapes himself over my legs, his head at her hip. “And the best food. Too much of it.”
“Of course.” I kiss her forehead.
“Now let me ask you.” I inhale her scent, the essence of her beauty filling me. “Payton Vawdrey, will you marry me?”
“Let me answer.” She leans back, staring up into my love-filled gaze. “It was always going to be you.”
Epilogue One
PAYTON
