Chapter 40

Laine

The next week passes in a glorious haze of orgasms and family moments as I become more integrated in Tag's life. How did I ever think I could walk away from this man? If I even try to imagine my life without him now, it's impossible.

Tag Quinn is my life.

And being part of his life is my life.

As a criminal defense lawyer, the transition into Tag's world has been strangely harmonious. Each day, I find myself absorbing the complexities of his operations, offering insights where my legal expertise aligns with the gritty realities of his business.

Not only are we amazing as a couple, we also make a great team in business, too.

The rhythmic tapping of my pen against my desk blotter ceases as I lean closer to my laptop. When I see the notes he put on one of the Tessiano files, I turn. He's sitting at the mammoth wooden desk his father left to him, but his attention is solely focused on me.

I laugh. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

He flashes me a devilish grin. "What makes you think I wasn't working?"

I arch a brow. "If I'm a distraction, I'll have Brendan and Bryan move my desk up to our suite. I can work there."

Tag waves away my words. "Nonsense. I want my in-house attorney and legal advisor to be in the thick of things—right at my side."

I chuckle. "I'm not licensed to practice here."

"Semantics. We'll get you signed up and squared away the moment you decide you want to dive back into work."

I turn my chair to look at him directly. "I've considered it, but honestly, I have another calling I've been thinking about, and want to talk to you about."

Tag's gaze narrows. "What's on your mind, wildcat? And why do I feel like I'm going to hate what you say next?"

I shrug. "Why would you?"

"If you want a job outside of this house, I will worry every day when you leave and might drive you mad with security protocols."

I blow him a kiss. "You can stand down. It's nothing like that."

He laces his fingers together and sets his hands in the middle of his desk. "All right, then lay it on me. What does my corporate shark want to sink her teeth into next?"

I rise from my chair and stride across his office to sit on his lap. Gathering one of his hands, I press it on my belly. "We haven't talked about kids, so tell me if I'm jumping the gun, but how do you feel about me making another generation of Quinns?"

His mouth falls open and a moment of panic flashes in his emerald green gaze before it shifts. "What are you saying, luv? Is this a hypothetical question, or are we starting a family?"

I shrug. "I'm late and we haven't been careful since the night of the fight, so I'm not sure. It just got me wondering where you stand on things."

He swallows and moves his hand to rest over mine. "You're a corporate businesswoman. Is having kids something you want?"

I grin. "Not before now, no, but the idea of having your babies has me reconsidering. I could still help with any legal issues you have from here and I'd like to be more involved in learning about the Quinn charities, but yes, I'd like to be your baby mama…if that's not too presumptuous."

Tag chuckles. "Presumptuous? Laine, seriously, the idea of you naked and round with my child is beyond anything I ever dreamed for myself. If it's something you're excited for, I'll keep you filled with my cum until you tell me to stop."

He would, too.

"Then let's see how the next week goes and if my period still doesn't come, we'll go to the pharmacy and get a few home tests. Until then, let's keep it between us."

Tag cups my face in the palm of his hand and gives me a long, slow kiss. When he eases back, his eyes are glassy. "I love you, Laine O'Neill, but if we're making baby Quinns, I want you to wear my ring and carry my name, too."

I blink at him. "I wasn't angling for a proposal."

"Be that as it may, you are mine, wildcat. And since we're talking about kids and a lifetime of me loving you, I want you to be Mrs. Madelaine Quinn."

I meet his lips with another kiss. "That has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

He grins. "Ah, and speaking of a nice ring…"

Tag presses his thumb against the security sensor on his desk drawer and when the beep signals the release of the latch, he pulls out a black velvet box. "Laine O'Neill, from that first moment at Jimmy's pub, I was lost to you. And over the past weeks, I learned what it is to truly be alive. I want you forever. I want babies. I want you by my side. I want it all. And in return, I will love you like no other man has, can, or ever will."

When he opens the box, I can't see the ring through the wall of tears welling up in my eyes. I swipe at the moisture and pull a breath into my tight chest. "And I swear I will love you, your family, the family we make. I will stand by your side, no matter who or what comes for you, and I will love you for the man you are and have to be to run this city."

"So, that's a yes, is it?" he teases.

I swallow and blink to clear the tears from my vision. "Yes. It's definitely a yes."

He takes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. It's a platinum Claddagh ring with a heart-shaped ruby held in the hands of friendship and a crown of diamonds above.

"It's so beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it, luv. So, you'll wear it and be mine forever?"

I hold it up for the two of us to admire. "I will."

He cuddles me against his chest and presses a hand to my belly. "You realize I'm going to be even more possessive and overprotective now, right?"

I chuckle. "I am aware."

I rest my head against his shoulder and kiss his neck. Closing my eyes, I breathe him in and memorize this moment because I can't imagine ever experiencing another as perfect as this.

I'm not sure how long time passes, but the next thing I know, Finn is standing inside the doorway, whispering to Tag.

"Oh, goodness." I sit up in Tag's lap. "Did I fall asleep?"

"Aye, you drifted off, luv, but I didn't mind a bit."

I wipe my hands over my face and give myself an inward shake. "Sorry, Finn. Do you need to talk to your brother?"

Finn's smile lights up his eyes. "I came to talk to both of you, but it seems I should congratulate you first. That's a lovely ring you've got there, Laine."

I smile and hold up my hand to admire it once again. "Thank you. Your brother is going to make me an honorary Quinn."

"Well, we're thrilled to have you." Finn sets the laptop he's carrying onto the desk to give me a hug. When he steps back, he looks between us and makes a face. "Should we talk later, then? Are the two of you having a moment?"

Tag chuckles. "We were having a moment and then Laine started snoring in my ear. I think it's safe to say we're ready to resume business as usual."

I laugh and roll my eyes at him. "I wasn't snoring. You're making that up."

He winks. "Maybe a little."

Finn chuckles. "So, I've been poring over the files Laine copied from the Chicago outfit and think I have a way to create a business relationship and start a rapport. If I'm reading this right, it seems they have a surplus of guns that we might leverage to our advantage."

Tag's gaze lights up with a mix of admiration and strategic calculation. "That could strengthen our position here and also give us leverage in future negotiations."

As we discuss possible approaches to engage with the Tessianos, the energy in the office is electric—professional, yet personal, and full of potential.

The thrill of strategizing together, of blending my world with theirs is exhilarating—and if it works to keep me alive, all the better.

I'm sure Tag marrying me will impact that as well. In most crime organizations, targeting the wife and family of other families is a breach of ethics. They like to think they can do business and keep the violence away from their personal lives.

We've pretty much outlined the plan when Bryan rushes into the office looking ill.

"We have a major fucking problem."

Tag straightens, his body tensing. "What is it?"

Bryan balls his hands into fists. "I was on the phone with Sean when someone in the MC called it in. Aiden was seen storming into Declan McGuire's loft. Shots were fired and Aiden staggered out a few minutes later."

Tag's jaw clenches. "Do we know Declan's status?"

Bryan shakes his head. "Rumors are he's dead. According to public opinion, the Quinns just took out one of the McGuire boys."

Tag sinks back in his chair, looking ill. "Fecking hell."