Page 157 of Royal Bargain

I stare, caught somewhere between breathless and blinking too much.

“I bought it the day after our first date,” he says, voice rough. “Kinda stupid, I guess. We barely knew each other. But I couldn’t stop thinking—‘She’s it.’ Thought I’d scare you off, honestly. But yeah. You were it.”

A quiet laugh slips out of me, hand flying to my mouth.

“I kept it,” he says. “Even after we broke up. Even after everything. I never stopped hoping I’d get to give it to you.”

His eyes find mine, serious and bare.

“I know we’re still figuring things out. But I love you, Ana. I love our girl. And I want to do this for real. You, me, Lily—whatever comes next. Will you marry me?”

My chest tightens, but it’s the good kind. The kind that makes you feel like you’ve finally exhaled after holding your breath for years.

“Yes,” I say, almost laughing. “Yeah. Yes.”

His hands are a little shaky when he slides the ring on, and mine are no better.

Then he kisses me—slow, a little clumsy, full of warmth.

Somewhere in the next room, Lily starts crying, loud and insistent.

We break apart, laughing.

“Well,” Liam says, rubbing his face. “Guess she didn’t want to miss the moment.”

“She’s got good timing,” I murmur.

I glance down at the ring. It’s not perfect. A little worn, a little off-center.

Just like us.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

44

LIAM

The city feels different when we come back.

It’s not the traffic or the skyline or the way the wind kicks up off the harbor, carrying the sour tang of exhaust and ambition. It’s not even the people. It’s something underneath. Like the whole place is holding its breath, waiting for a match to strike.

Ana must feel it too. She hasn’t looked up from her phone since we crossed into Thornville proper. Lily’s asleep in the car seat, drooling on her stuffed frog, but Ana’s thumb keeps scrolling, tapping, replying. Her face is a mix of focus and dread.

“What is it?” I ask, keeping my tone light even though I know it’s not nothing.

Ana doesn’t answer at first. Her lips press into a thin line as she types something. Then she sighs, finally turning the screen toward me. I glance over while keeping one eye on the road.

Messages. Aleksey. Sasha. Even her eldest sister Sofia.

Aleksey: We’ve got a problem. Bratva’s splitting. Some backing your father. Some backing Dariy. It’s getting ugly.

Sasha: Tatiana’s made her choice. She’s with Papa. Don’t trust Dariy. He’s making moves. Quiet ones. Dangerous ones.

Aleksey: Tell Liam to keep his head down. He’s a target now. Not just you.

I let out a slow breath. “Jesus.”

Ana nods. “It’s happening already.”