CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Shelby was sitting on the porch with Brittany and Tyler when Red walked up. She smiled at him, standing to give him a hug and kiss.

"Hi, Dad."

"Hi, honey. Tyler."

"Hi, sir. We'll get out of your hair now. Nice talking to you, Miss Shelby."

"You too, sweetie. See you tomorrow, Brittany."

"Are you two going somewhere tomorrow?" asked Red.

"Yes. We've got a lot to do. I have to get a wedding dress, and we have to pick out the flowers, and Mama Irene needs opinions on the menu, and…" Red slammed his mouth over hers, kissing the breath from her body.

"I love you, woman. I love you so much. I can't believe you're actually going to marry me," he laughed.

"Well, I will if you give me a ring. It doesn't have to be big or gaudy or anything. Just a ring that says I'm yours."

The door of the cottage across the path opened, and Brittany came bounding down the steps, then up their steps, handing her father the box. She smiled at them, kissing them both on their cheeks as she ran back across to her own place. Red laughed, kneeling down in front of Shelby.

"I've had it, but we've had a lot going on," he smiled. "I don't think there's a ring in the world comparable to your beauty, but I tried." Opening the box, Shelby gasped as she stared at the massive pearl. The perfect sheen and glimmer of the surface, surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. Down the side of the band were diamonds and emeralds as well, and the wedding band was the same. Beside it was his band, a simple black titanium band.

"Red, it's so beautiful," she sniffed. He placed it on her finger, standing to hold her, hug her, and just feel her in his arms. He hadn't realized how much he wanted this, how much he needed it.

"Come on. Let me just hold you tonight," he said, taking her hand and leading her inside. In the darkness of the paths, Gaspar, Ian, Nine, and Ghost smiled.

"Bastard deserves that happiness," said Nine.

"I couldn't agree more. They're going to be good for one another," said Ghost. Gaspar started to speak, then saw something out of the corner of his eye.

"Dear God. Sema, you have to go back to your cage for the night. Come on. Go." She flipped him off, and he just shook his head. "Which one of you taught her that?"

"Me."

"Shit!"

"Holy hell!"

"Son-of-a-bitch!"

"Trak, we're too fucking old for this shit, brother. You're going to kill us all," said Nine.

"Just letting you know I'm here," he smirked. "Boat's leaving for the other island. If you want on it, let's go."

The men all shook their heads as they walked away. They hadn't even noticed Martha and Nathan sitting on the cottage porch. She was holding his hand as they swayed back and forth on the swing.

"This was a good one, Nathan. I feel good about it."

"Me, too," he nodded. "Now we have to worry about Conor."

"Yes, poor baby. He'll be alright. I just know it." Nathan gave her a sweet kiss as the night air brushed over them.

"You're never wrong, my love, never."