Page 112 of Oathbreaker

I finally asked Dash, who got a name from Royal, who got it from Atlas. Only one appointment so far but I like her. Turns out she’s an Air Force veteran with some trauma of her own, making it a lot easier for me to open up. She said everything I’m going through—the nightmares, occasional anxiety, frustration with my physical injuries—is all normal. She also expressed that she thinks I’m doing great, all things considered.

Which is a relief because I don’t want to be a burden on Briar or Frankie. Frankie needs her dad and there’s nothing I won’t do to make sure I’m the father she both needs and wants. It still hits me right in the feels every time she calls me Daddy.

“You’re sure you want the platinum?” the jeweler is asking me.

I snap back to the present and nod. “Yes. Everything she owns is either platinum or silver. She says gold doesn’t go well with her skin.”

The jeweler nods and presents me with an invoice.

I pull out my brand new platinum American Express card and hand it to him.

“This is a big step,” Atlas says to me.

“It’s time. Past time for Briar and me.”

He shakes his head. “Look at this—the five of us essentially all wifed up. How the fuck did this happen?”

“We met some very special women.”

“That we did.” He’s thoughtful. “You know, I have to tell you something… Originally, the idea of you and Briar together kind of grossed me out. But now…”

“Now?” I’m curious about his thought process since I know he’s come to terms with everything.

“Now it feels right—I don’t know that there’s anyone else that I would truly trust with her. Anyone else I would be a thousand percent confident would never hurt her, physically or otherwise.”

“Never gonna happen,” I growl.

“I know. That’s why it’s right.”

“I tried not to love her,” I admit. “But the harder I tried not to love her the stronger the feelings got, until I couldn’t ignore them anymore.”

“If things had gone down differently in Russia, what was your plan with regard to her?”

“I was going to talk to Dash the minute I got back.”

“He would’ve been pissed off back then too.”

We chuckle, because he’s right.

Thankfully, that nonsense is over now. Dash and I are spending a lot of time together again. Just like the old days. It’s a relief for Briar too because it stressed her out when we were at odds.

The jeweler disappears into the back to package up the ring just as Atlas’s phone rings.

“It’s Briar,” he says, grimacing.

“Go ahead and take it. We don’t want her to get suspicious. We’re done here anyway. I’ll be out as soon as he finishes up whatever he’s doing.”

“Okay.” He puts the phone to his ear. “Hey, what’s up?”

I fidget while the jeweler runs my card and finally comes out with the ring nestled in an ornate gift bag.

“Thank you,” I say.

“It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Likewise.”

I’ve been dreaming about marrying Briar for years and I’ve just taken a major step toward making that happen. And I can’t wait to propose.