Page 51

“As if I’d ever try. You’re all I’ve ever wanted, Gabriel Maverick.”
“Good, because I’m all you’re ever going to get.” His voice and eyes softened. “I love you, Kelsey Morganston. You’re all I’ve ever wanted too. There’s just one thing…”
I thought a wave of terror would cause my heart to stop, but nothing happened. “What’s that?”
“I can’t fucking wait to change your name to Maverick. How about we go ahead and start working on the wedding plans?”
“Nope.” I felt him stiffen for an instant, but then he melted against me again. “I still have the original plans we made. It’s written in my journals. There’s practically no planning to do.” I smiled up at him. “Was that really a proposal?”
“Yes and no. Yes, it was a proposal but just a preliminary. I’ll come up with something much more romantic as soon as you’re feeling better.”
“The answer’s yes…no matter how you ask it, romantic or Gabe-style. Hell, yes. Yes, yes, yes!”
I dozed for a while after that, wallowing in pure contentment with Gabe’s strong arms wrapped tightly around me. For the first time in years, I didn’t dream. I didn’t drift off, lonely and sad, and I didn’t wake back up, wishing I could sleep forever. When my eyes did open again, I caught him staring down at me, his fingers playing with my hair. The look on his face nearly took my breath. I’d probably always struggle with believing someone like Gabe could love someone like me, but I was willing to bear that particular cross for the rest of my life if it meant keeping him beside me.
“What happened with Wayne?” I finally asked. I didn’t particularly care what the answer was. My brother no longer held any power over me. Gabe was home. I was safe.
“Wayne’s in jail,” Gabe answered. “I wanted to kill him on the spot, but was outvoted.” When I gouged him in the ribs, he said, “Trust me, angel, it was a tight vote. Ethan assured me his lawyers would make certain Wayne Jr. never saw the light of day outside of a prison again for trying to kill you.”
“Daulton?” Again, I didn’t really give a fuck. If Gabe and his friends had killed both men, I wouldn’t lose a night’s sleep over it.
“Unfortunately, he got away. With our focus on Wayne Jr. and getting you medical attention, we made a mistake. We’ll find him, though. He’ll pay for his part.”
“I’m not worried,” I answered. “I’m surprised the ambulance was able to get there in time. I honestly thought I was dying. Actually, I thought I’d died. I felt my life slipping away.”
“We couldn’t wait for an ambulance—no time. Titus worked on you right there. He had an emergency kit with him, and I knew your blood type, so we started a transfusion immediately. We have the same blood type, by the way.”
“Shit,” I murmured.
“It’s okay. Titus knew exactly what to do. You’re completely safe now. Nothing to worry about.”
“No, it’s not that. If Titus saved my life, then I’m going to have to side with him and Jax over you and Ethan when that whole shitshow starts.” I tilted my head and kissed his jawline. “You understand, don’t you? Hedidsave my life.”
He snorted. “You were just looking for an excuse to side with them! Quit playing matchmaker. Ethan’s very protective of his baby brother and Titus is…special.”
I grinned and winked. “May the best team win.”
“We already did, angel. We already did.”
“Forever, right, Gabriel? You won’t leave without me, will you?”
I smiled down at him, because I loved him so damned much. “Forever, Kelsey Morganston. You’ll be mine forever. And I’ll be yours.”
The End