Chapter 12

12

VIOLET

I had mixed feelings about the Hounds successfully taking down the con ring that Jeff was a part of. Obviously, I was happy for the people they’d taken advantage of because they’d get some form of repayment for the money they had lost. And that they couldn’t hurt anyone else.

But I was worried about what it meant for Brodie and me.

He had no reason to stay in my apartment now that everything was wrapped up.

Showing yet again just how in tune he was to my feelings, Brodie asked, “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I just…I kind of got used to having you live with me,” I mumbled, feeling a little silly that I was complaining about not living together when our relationship was so new. It wasn’t as though we still wouldn’t be able to see each other as often as we wanted, but it just wasn’t the same.

“And?” he drawled with a deep chuckle.

“I like sharing space with you.” I twined my arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “Starting my morning cuddled with you in bed and ending it doing even better things in the same place. I really don’t want to lose that.”

“Who said you’re gonna lose anything, baby? I thought we already went over this when we figured out who the head of the ring was.” Gripping my hips, he tugged me flush against his chest. “Do you really think I’m gonna let you get away from me after I claimed you as mine?”

“No?” I whispered, butterflies swirling in my belly.

“You can say that with a fuck of a lot more confidence because I’m not going anywhere,” he promised. “Not until we find a place to call our own, and then you’ll be coming with me.”

My lips curved into a grin. “Are you trying to tell me that my apartment isn’t big enough for the two of us? I thought we’ve been quite comfortable since you moved in as my fake boyfriend.”

“You know not a damn thing about our relationship is fake,” he growled, grinding his hard-on against my stomach. “I might’ve jumped the gun by claiming that you were mine before we officially met, but I still meant it. From the very start, I knew that you belonged to me.”

I toyed with the ends of his dark red hair at the back of his head. “It never hurts to double-check.”

“Anytime you want me to demonstrate exactly how much you belong to me, just let me know.” He trailed his lips down my jaw. “It’ll be my pleasure. And yours.”

“I will definitely take you up on that offer when we’re somewhere a little more private.” I glanced at Stella and King, and my lips curled down at the edges.

“What’s wrong now, baby?”

“I’m not sure what the etiquette is here, if I’m supposed to ask or just wait and see…” I was having a hard time finding the right words to explain what I wanted.

“You never need to be shy with me, Violet.” He tugged me over to the couch, dropping onto a cushion and pulling me onto his lap. “If there’s something you need, I’m gonna figure out a way to give it to you. Doesn’t matter what it is.”

I took a deep breath while I gathered my courage. Then I blurted, “Am I really yours if I’m not wearing your property patch?”

“Is that what’s bothering you, baby?” A wide grin stretched across his face before he put two fingers between his lips and whistled. When everyone turned to look at us, he called, “Hey, Prez! Did that order finally come in?”

“Yup, while you guys were out, as a matter of fact.” King turned toward the prospect who was manning the bar. “There’s a brown paper bag back there. Grab it for me.”

“Sure thing, Prez.”

The guy bent down to look under the bar and popped back up with the bag in his hand. Then he tossed it to King, who strode over to us. Brodie snagged the bag from him and reached inside to pull out a black leather vest that was sized for me.

Property of Echo was embroidered on a patch, and I traced the letters with trembling fingers. “You were already planning to claim me as your old lady?”

“Soon as this came in,” he confirmed with a nod, gently lifting my arm to tug it through one of the holes in the vest. After he settled the leather against my back, he did the same with the other side. Then he gripped the lapels to pull me close. “Fuck, you look good with my name on you. Proclaiming to the world that you belong to me.”

“I do, huh?” I twirled around in a circle, the breath catching in my throat at the possessive gleam in his eyes when I faced him again.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” He tilted his head to the side. “But something is missing.”

My brows drew together as I glanced down at myself. “There is? What?”

“This.”

I looked up and found him down on one knee in front of me, holding up a ring. The diamond solitaire twinkled in the light.

I could barely believe what I was seeing. Although his president and VP were both married, I hadn’t expected him to propose quite so soon since we’d only known each other for about a month. But now that I truly thought about it, the same logic would’ve applied to him giving me his property patch, and that hadn’t surprised me at all.

“You gonna answer me, baby? Or are you just gonna stand there lookin’ like I just shocked the shit outta you so much that you can’t even use that beautiful voice of yours?”

Ace leaned toward him and muttered, “Not sure that’s how to get the girl to accept your proposal.”

“Was it a proposal? Because I don’t remember hearing him ask me to marry him,” I teased.

“Shit,” Brodie groaned, raking his fingers through his hair before getting to his feet and shoving the ring on my finger. “As long as I already fucked this up, I might as well just tell you that you’re gonna marry me instead of giving you the chance to turn me down.”

His response was so Brodie that I just giggled and went along with it. “Well, if you put it that way, I guess we’re getting married.”

“Soon, baby,” he insisted, his lips brushing against mine as he whispered into my mouth. “Because I love you too damn much to wait to make you my wife.”

“You love me?” I gasped, tears welling in my eyes over hearing those three little words from him.

“Of course, I do, baby.” He shook his head with a deep laugh. “Fuck, I never actually said it before now, did I? It’s a good thing I’m only ever going to propose once in my life because I’m no damn good at it.”

“You’re wrong. That was perfect,” I disagreed, shaking my head. “I love you too, Brodie. And I want nothing more than to be your wife. Except maybe to have your babies, too.”

He patted my belly with a smirk. “Don’t worry, baby. I’m doing my best to make sure that happens soon, too.”