Chapter 57

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

TRISTAN

Opening the box in my hands, I stare at the contents with a tinge of nervousness that Layla likes the gift I've gotten her. Resting against the red silk fabric lining the leather box is a platinum eternity collar. An elegant, handcrafted choker that will adorn her neck in lieu of placing a diamond ring on her finger.

I'll take her to the courthouse or risk damnation by stepping over the threshold of a church to stand before God if she asks it of me. I will make her my wife on paper if she wants, but this collar means more to my– our– world than any piece of paper issued by the state ever would. To me— and to our family —she will be my wife.

"It's absolutely beautiful, Tristan. It suits her." Declan admires the collar over my shoulder before admitting, "I never thought I'd see the day that you settled down."

"Nothing about her is settling," I mutter, more to myself than to him .

My phone buzzes in the breast pocket of my suit jacket. Pulling it out and swiping it open, I'm not surprised to find it's Finn.

FINN

Just leaving your place with ‘the package.'

We'll be there in ten minutes

You don't have to use code words,amadan.

She isn't reading your texts.

Just let me have this.

I can practically hear him snickering.

This doesn't happen if I don't get her to you safely.

Fucking idiot.

She looks fucking beautiful, by the way.

Way too fucking beautiful for you.

That's a sentiment I share often.

Layla is too fucking good for me. I have done nothing in this life to even remotely deserve the gift of her. My world will tarnish her, but there will be no dimming the pureness of her heart.

Tonight is a surprise, pulled together nearly in full yesterday morning after informing my brothers of my proposal. She knows we are having a small celebration, which she believes to be for our engagement. That small lie is how I managed to get her to help me ensure that Quinn and Jorge joined us tonight.

Declan and Conor arrived with the two of them not long ago, and they are both waiting downstairs in the club, which is currently empty as we aren't allowing patrons past the lounge for another hour.

This is a private affair for our family.

I make my way downstairs with Declan to wait for Finn. He should be arriving with Layla any minute now. With the collar in hand, I stand at the small floral altar Conor and Liam constructed this afternoon. Today is nearly as important to them– to all of my brothers –as it is to me. She might be agreeing to be mine for the rest of her life, but she's officially becoming part of their lives, too.

Declan gives me a brotherly pat on my back before joining the rest of our family in a few seats facing the altar before me. All of them waiting as eagerly for Layla to arrive as me.

Layla's sweet laughter proceeds her as she enters the club, hanging onto Finn's arm. Her eyes lock on mine as I wait for her at the altar, and she momentarily freezes, slipping from the crook of Finn's arm as he takes another step.

"You didn't think we'd wait to make you an Evans, did you?" He smiles down at her as he grabs her arm, slips it back into his, and begins to walk her toward me. They walk down the small aisle, and I cannot pull my eyes from her.

This beautiful woman is about to be mine.

Finn places a chaste kiss on her cheek when he reaches me before taking his seat. Lightly fidgeting, Layla stares up at me and whispers, "Tris? "

"I couldn't wait to make you mine." I take her hand and offer her the collar resting in my palm.

"Tris…" She fights back tears as she admires the solid platinum circle I'm about to adorn her neck with.

" Mo cuishle, this collar stands as a symbol of your ownership. Denoting to the world that you have offered yourself to me, providing me the great honor of guiding you. Leading you carefully in my footsteps as I help you become the best version of yourself."

The tears welling in her eyes begin to trickle down her cheeks as she smiles up at me, hanging intently on every word of my vow.

"I willfully accept the gift of your submission. And, as I have promised to you countless times before, I will do everything in my power to protect you. To keep you safe."

Closing the collar, it rests snugly around the base of her neck. I screw the small lock into place, securing it permanently around her neck. Cupping her chin, I tip her face toward mine and gaze into her eyes as I whisper, "You belong to me. Your body and soul, both mine to cherish."

"I've always been yours, Tris," she struggles to get her words out as she chokes back soft sobs. "My heart beats in your body as much as yours does in mine. You own me, Tristan Evans."

"No, mo cuishle ." I dip my head and press my lips against hers. "You own me."