Chapter 31

Charlotte

I fall asleep again,waiting for Mason to return. The sheets have been changed and the smell of crisp clean cotton makes it even harder to stay awake.

You’d think I’d be rested after sleeping the entire day, but I’m just exhausted.

I don’t wake until Mason slips in the bed with me, his warm body pressing to mine. “How’d it go?”

“Excellent,” is all he answers. “You and Jackson do all right?”

“Jackson and I did fine.” I snuggle deeper into him, wishing that I could feel the slide of his skin against mine in some deeper way but I’m too sore.

Between losing my virginity last night, and now my shoulder, every part of my body aches.

“Are you going to tell me about the meeting?”

He smiles against my shoulder. “The Dukes are joining forces with us. They’ll give us a percentage of their casino, and in return, I will connect my casino to theirs via the tunnel. They’re on the cusp of buying another building and I artfully suggested they might consider waiting to see if the Italians go out of business and then they could have side-by-side properties. In addition, I’ve made it clear that their little incident, the one you witnessed, is best left forgotten by everyone. No one is saying anything, and everyone is happy.”

I turn to look at him. He’s done it…he’s removed the threat to my life. “You’re serious?”

He smiles. “About your safety? Very and always.”

I wish I could turn to better face him, but I can’t put any weight on my hurt shoulder at all. “And the Russians?”

“The Russians are lone wolves, which means they won’t join with the Italians. They would like an opportunity to make me a business offer and I’ve given them a week to do so.”

I shake my head. I sometimes forget that Mason is a man who can move mountains when he chooses.

“And the Italians?” His hand is tracing up and down my hip, his lips sliding over the back of my neck.

“They never showed, which means Jake is about to pay them a visit.”

“Jake?”

“He and my father were best friends and brothers. He took the loss hard, and he’s very motivated to see the Italians suffer.” He places a light kiss on my hurt shoulder, his fingers skimming over the blooming bruises.

I look back at him. “Mason. Thank you…I don’t know how to begin to tell you how much I appreciate?—”

He kisses me, softly cupping my chin in his hand. “I appreciate your appreciation, but I need you to understand that my world has reordered and you are at the very top of my priorities. It is my first and most important job to keep you safe, my queen.”

Mason has called me a great many nicknames but queen is a new one. “I’ve been upgraded from princess.”

He laughs against my cheek. “I suppose you have.”

My body aches with all I’ve been through but there is still a part of me that wants to be close to him, to feel him inside me.

But as I move to deepen the kiss, he eases away. “Tonight is about your recovery.”

I let out a long sigh. “Really?”

“Really.” He settles me into his body. “Besides, you’re going to need your energy for moving.”

“Moving?” I manage to push up at that declaration. “Move where?”

“Not sure,” he answers, sinking down into the pillow under his head. “Somewhere the Italians can’t find. What do you think about Colorado? There’d be good natural photography there.”

“We talked about this, Mason. You’re not running. That’s my issue, not yours.” I do sit up then, the twinge of pain is worth being able to twist around to really look at him.

“I’m not running,” he answers, sliding his hand down my leg. “I’m still going to run the business, I’ll just focus on asset management, leaving daily operations to my family. Roman can take over the casinos, Jake the construction, Luke can handle all the properties like these, and Leo…”

My brows lift as I look at him, wondering what he’s thinking for Leo.

“I think he might be good at running the nightclubs.”

That would be an excellent position for him. “You’re going to forgive him then?”

“There was truth to your words about needing to trust Leo more. In fairness, I didn’t trust myself either, but he’s so like my father…” He sits up too, his forehead pressing to mine. “It’s time to put the past in the past and move forward with a lot more love.”

My eyes close and I can’t help it, tears fill my eyes. “I think the same. I’ve let my own past, my worry that everyone who loves me will leave?—”

“I am never leaving you.” Mason lifts me into his lap. “I need you to understand, Charlotte. You are my future. You’re stuck with me and even if you try to run, I’m a tough guy to shake.”

“I’m not running,” I whisper. “You’re my family now, Mason.”

“Charlotte, I’m going to ask now…”

I gasp. Somehow, I didn’t quite picture my marriage proposal being in bed while wearing a sling and covered in bruises.

I had pictured champagne and candlelight. Then again, we had that when he bought the ring. And when has anything in our relationship been normal?

“Will you be my wife?”

“Yes.” I don’t need to think to answer. It’s automatic. Mason and I belong together.