Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

LANDON

I t's Sunday evening, and I've just gotten off the phone with Lex. Apparently, in-fighting started in the Irish mob after Damon's death, which is officially a "disappearance." "The cartel is backing off," Lex told me. "I've got reliable sources who informed me they want no part in this mess. You did well, Landon. You saved a big part of this city. Nobody will ever know it, but you should be proud."

"I'm just glad those kids are going to be safe."

"Those and many, many more because of you."

I hang up, waiting for Lily to return from the bathroom. My heart is pounding. I almost thought I slipped up when I said husband in the car after the doctor's appointment. She gasped but then played it off.

My phone rings again. It's a number I don't recognize. Dammit, is it them? Isn't this over yet?

I answer quickly. "Yeah?" I grunt.

"It's Carter Weston," he says. "Is this Landon?"

"Uh … yeah," I reply. "I won't ask how you got this number."

"I've got my ways. I wanted to call because I know you had something to do with the mob backing off The Row."

"Where did you hear that?" I snap.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. You were working on that case, and suddenly, the bar is shut down—no more mobsters. I got a call from one of the parents today, thanking me like I did something, but it was you, wasn't it?"

"I can't comment on that, Carter."

"This is tough to say, but I need you to know I'm sorry. I know we've had our differences. I heard how grateful that parent was, and I spoke to her kid, too. Grace, I think you've met her?"

"What did she say?" I ask, imagining everything she could tell him if she wanted. She knows how involved I was.

"Enough for me to be making this call," he says. "I don't know if Lily told you, but I warned her to avoid you. I told her it could cost her the job here."

"She said," I snap.

"That's over. I've killed it. Grace was crying on the phone—a little girl crying happy tears, telling me you were her savior. You're all right, Landon."

He hangs up, leaving me with a stunned smile on my face. Lily approaches the table, looking gorgeous in her stunning dress, the cut showing her legs and cleavage. Even secreted away in this quiet corner of this quiet restaurant twenty miles outside the city—so we don't get spotted—she looks like she belongs on a red carpet.

"Is something wrong?" she asks.

I stand up quickly, walking around the table and taking her hands in mine. She beams at me with a smile I never could've dreamed of when this started. It's a smile that makes me feel alive and purposeful.

"Carter just called me," I say. "It was surreal. He said he's forgiven me, and your job is no longer in danger. We can be together, Lily. Nothing is stopping us: not my diagnosis, not your mom, not your job, nothing. We can be together ."

When she tries to hug me, I take a step back.

"Not yet," I murmur, my voice growing husky. "There's something I need to say first."

"Okay …"

"I love you more than I thought a logical, cold man like me could ever love." When I fall to one knee, tears spring to her eyes. The restaurant isn't busy enough for a big crowd, but already, people are turning to us. "Lily Brooks, will you marry me?"

"Yes," she cries, staring down at the ring. It's a big cushion cut glittering diamond, flashing every color of the rainbow, something worthy of my woman, set within a flowery band as elegant and bright as she is.

I slide the ring onto her finger and then climb to my feet. She throws herself at me, making me laugh as I catch her and spin her around, finding her lips in the beautiful chaos of our happiness. She takes my face in her hands, kissing me with her classic Lily passion. It feels natural but also new each time. It makes me grateful.

Life is good, great, perfect. I can't believe I lived such a cold, disconnected existence before. With my woman, my future wife, I know I'll never return to that sort of life.

From this day on, I will love as if it's my last chance to love.

"Shall we get out of here?" she whispers, brushing her hand across my side. She looks around, shocked to find people applauding.

I laugh. I hadn't noticed it either until the kiss ended. I was too immersed in her. "That sounds good to me."