Her arms tightened around his neck at his words, and he felt the shudder of relief go through her body.
Frida pulled back, and her eyes were full of joy when she looked at him. “We did it.”
Malco shook his head. “You did it. I was just the cheer squad. It was your brain, your skill, and your hard work. All I did was provide the foot rubs and the tacos.”
“And what amazing foot rubs and tacos they were.”
Her expression was euphoric, and Malco had the perfect plan for them to celebrate, but first, they had something to do.
Frida nodded. “Shall we go tell them?”
He took her hand, guiding her through the courtroom, frequently stopping for expressions of congratulations from other lawyers, and lots of people wanting her to call them. Malco knew her star was only just beginning to shine and that every ounce of success she had was hard-earned with blood, sweat, and sacrifice.
As they drove, he could feel her relax as she slid out of her suit jacket and slipped her feet into flats. Pulling up outside the Youth Center, he smiled when he saw the huge banner the kids had made for her. Frida looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a beautiful smile.
“Did you do this?”
Malco took her hand and brought her knuckles to his lips, kissing them lightly as he did.
“No, this is all the kids. They wanted you to know how proud they are of you and how much it means that you see them.” Her eyes began to water, and he waited patiently as she blinked the tears away.
“They didn’t know I would win,” she stated.
“They never doubted you.” He nodded to the door where Danie was standing with her son nestled against her body. He saw Frida’s face soften at the sight of her and little Moses.
“Shall we?”
Frida nodded, and they alighted the car to be greeted by cheers and excitement as they moved forward into the center past Danie, who immediately handed Moses to Malco. Frida accepted hugs from Tycen, Mrs. Neal, Ward, and even JaKheel, who was at the back. Malco walked to them and heard the end of the conversation.
“You gave me back my life and my family.” JaKheel took his son into his arms, and the look of love in his eyes told them more than words ever could.
“You were the one that took the leap, JaKheel. Your testimony is what put Bullet and the others away for life. Will you stay around here?” JaKheel had decided not to take the WitSec program, instead, he wanted to show his son that good could win and be a role model for others.
JaKheel smiled as Danie appeared at his side. “Me and Danie are gonna go stay with her aunt in Carolina and see how we like it there.”
“Carolina is beautiful, but whatever you do, stay in touch. I want pictures of this little guy.” Malco observed Frida as she gently stroked her finger over Moses’s cheek with such a tenderness he longed for the same.
They stayed a little longer before he saw his Frida flagging and knew it was time to go home.
As he turned off the alarm and checked their home was safe, he felt a peace surround him, a sense of contentment he’d never felt before.
“You want pizza?” Frida called from the kitchen as he heard her close the fridge and knew she had poured them both a glass of wine. He grinned when he saw he was right. He stepped up to her and took the glass from her as he hooked her around the waist with his free arm.
“Hey.”
“We don’t have time for that.”
He saw Frida tilt her head in question. “Why?”
“Well, do you remember we talked about how we wanted to go to Africa on a safari because it was what Jay and Camilla wanted to do and never got the chance?”
“Yes,” she said slowly, clearly still emotional, especially at the mention of his brother and her sister.
“Well, when it looked like the case would close this week, I spoke with Cleo and your new assistant, and they can handle things here, so I booked it. We leave first thing tomorrow.” He began to chuckle as he watched Frida, her mouth opening and closing without saying anything. He wondered if perhaps he’d overstepped, but then she gave a loud shriek and jumped up, her legs going around his waist, her arms around his neck as he caught her and just about held his balance.
“I love you, Malco Aguilar.” She kissed him hard, and he lost himself to her again, just like he did every time she kissed him. This woman had his heart in her hand, and he knew there was nobody else in this world he trusted to keep it safe other than Frida.
“Does that mean I’m not in trouble for going over your head?” At his question, she broke the kiss.
“It means you’re not in trouble for doing something so incredibly sweet and kind and for loving me as you do.” With his hands on her curvy ass, he gave it a squeeze as he turned and walked to the bedroom.
“While you’re in a good mood, there’s another thing I need to ask you. But this time, I have no clue what your reaction will be.”
Frida angled her head. “Your hesitation makes me nervous.”
He didn’t nod, but he was tempted to say he was probably even more nervous than she was. His mind scrambled, now unable to make any coherent reaction. All his carefully laid plans blew up when his next words blurted out in the most unexpected way.
“What do you think of a safari wedding?”
The woman had the best poker face, and Malco cringed. She was the kind of woman who deserved flowers, a ring, a whole romantic scenario, and he was letting her down.
A long minute trickled by until her mouth curved in the most amused and loving smile. “Are you asking me touristic information, or are you
