Page 96 of Dirty Behavior

But I felt lighter knowing that the crusade for vengeance was over and my father could rest a little easier. Ivy could breathe, our lives could move on.

Vince was the only thing from that night I felt sorry about. His injuries were too severe and he died two days later in the hospital. That hit a nerve, I didn't want him to lose his life over this, but it was out of my hands.

Ivy had surprised me, she stood up and did the right thing. I shamed myself for ever doubting her. I had been worried she wouldn't have it in her to kill him, I was so fucking wrong. The girl was stronger than I gave her credit for. Who knows where I'd be, or where any of us would be if she hadn't taken control.

But it's over now, it's been over.

My brother and I started up Dad's business again, more cautious and alert of who we trusted and who we worked with. Things were going good.

Brushing her skin with my fingertips, I leaned my head onto hers. “Ivy?”

“Yeah?” Her face twisted up, hand caressing my jaw.

“Do you remember when I asked you if you'd marry me when everything was all over?”

Giggling, she smiled. “Yeah, I remember that.”

“Well?”

“Well what?”

Reaching under the mattress, I tugged out a small black box and placed it on my stomach. “Will you marry me?”

Shooting up, her eyes were huge as saucers, searching me for any sign that I was joking. “What's this?”

“Open it.”

Taking the box in her hand, she let it sit in her palm for a second and just stared at it.

“Go on, open it up.” Gripping her shoulder, I shook her lightly.

I watched her fingers shaking as her thumb pressed the front and pulled back the lid. Tears instantly fell from her eyes, slipping off her cheeks and splashing onto my ribs.

“Dante, wow, I don't, I don't know what to say. Oh wow, wow.”

Her chest beat against mine, her heart pounding so insanely fast, I could feel each and every thud. “Yes you do. Will you marry me, Ivy?”

Snapping her head up, the tears continued to fall, her sniffles light and short. She wasn't saying anything and I started to worry.

Reaching into the box, I plucked the shiny diamond from its base and grabbed her left hand. Slipping the ring onto her finger, I kissed her forehead. “Tell me I can keep you forever, tell me that I never have to live a day without you.”

Crushing her lips against mine, Ivy's words buzzed over my mouth. “I do, of course I do. I never want to be without you, I love you.”

Our hearts were beating together, our lips sealed tight, and then it happened. I felt it, I felt a small bump against my side. Ivy started to laugh, rubbing her belly. “Did you feel that?”

“Was that the baby? Did I really just feel the baby kick me?”

Shaking her head yes, I pressed my palm flat against her belly and felt our baby dance. Ivy had been feeling the little one kicking her on occasion, light flutters here and there. But this was the first time I actually got to feel the life inside her.

I was in awe.

Looking down at her stomach, Ivy whispered the most incredible words to our child. With her eyes still full of tears and her hands still trembling, she laid her fingers tenderly over her belly.

“I love you little one, I'll always love you. After all, you're the only one in this world that knows what my heart sounds like on the inside.” Scooping my hand into hers, she placed it on her chest. “And your daddy is the only one who can make it beat like that.”

This was everything I thought I never wanted.

Now I couldn't imagine my life without it.

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