“Hi.”
“Fuck, Gia. Pay attention,” snaps Vinn, and she rolls her eyes. She goes around the table and kisses Vinn and then Enzo on their cheeks before heading upstairs. “My sister,” says Vinn as a way of explanation. “She’s a bit of a dreamer. Owns a wedding planning business, so that about sums up her idea of life. All about love and dreamy weddings,” he scoffs.
“Weddings?” I repeat.
“Yeah, she owns the shop on—” he begins
“Front Street,” I finish and he nods. I glance at Chains to see if he’s made the connection. “My ol’ lady just took a job there.”
Enzo grins wide. “Ah, practically family already. This alliance was meant to be.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you worked for Giana Romano?” I ask, and Eva stares at me blankly.
“Mainly because I only know her as Gia.” She shrugs.
“It’s probably not a good idea that you work there,” I add.
“What?” she snaps. “Why the hell not?”
“Remember what happened last time you worked for someone that I knew?”
“Unless you’re planning on sleeping with Gia, then we shouldn’t have a problem,” she huffs. “Has your president come to his senses yet?” she adds.
“The last time I saw him, he was falling asleep at his desk drunk.”
“He should know that Anna is really mad with him. I don’t think she’ll forgive him very easily.”
“Eva, it’s not our problem. Now, choose a dress before I fuck you. That underwear is driving me nuts,” I say. She’s been pacing back and forth, getting her makeup done and then her hair. The red lace panties and matching bra are begging me to remove them. “What are you gonna do with this place?” I ask, lying on the bed and staring at her as she goes through her clothes.
“What do you mean?”
“We can’t live separately. I need to be at the club. Your mum is there. Doesn’t it make sense for you to move in there with us?”
She pulls on a short red dress. “It’s too soon. We only just made up.”
“It’s not too soon. We’re together. End of.”
Eva rolls her eyes and smiles. “What happened to taking things slowly?”
“I make the rules, Eva,” I say in a playful bored tone.
Chapter Nineteen
Eva
Cree stands outside the small Italian restaurant. “Gia’s dad owns it,” he says. “I thought we could have dinner here.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Like a date?”
“Yeah, I guess.” He shrugs nervously and I realise what a big deal this is for him. “My reward for this better be a long night of fucking your sweet pussy,” he adds with a smirk.
He leads me inside. There’re no customers in yet, but then it’s still early. We’re greeted like valued, well-known customers and led to a table with a bottle of champagne on ice. “Champagne,” I say. “You hate the stuff.”
“You like it,” he mutters, and I smile as we take a seat. The waiter places a bread basket and some oils on the table. “Thanks,” I smile. Once he’s gone, I turn to Cree and frown. Something’s going on. This is so unlike him. “Okay, get talking, biker.”
“Can’t a guy treat his girl?” he asks innocently.
“Dinner, a date, champagne on ice? You’re up to something.”
“Maybe I just want you to know how much I love you. It’s not been easy . . . fuck, it’s been a disaster at times, but damn, I love you.”
I smile. “I love you too.” I pop some of the delicious bread into my mouth. “Oh, I spoke with Kyle today. Guess what?” I ask. Without waiting for a reply, I continue, “Michelle sold up the business. Apparently, she’s left town.” Cree’s jaw stiffens and he falls silent for a few minutes. “Sorry,” I mutter, instantly regretting bringing her name up. “I just wanted you to know that she’s gone now. That’s a good thing, right?”
“I don’t wanna talk about that bitch. I wanted to talk about you coming to the club to live. And . . . ” he pauses and lowers his voice slightly. “And becoming my ol’ lady.”
“Shit, Cree. Did you just get serious about us?” I joke.
He scowls playfully. “I mean, I’m done fucking up. I want it to be real. I want you to be mine.”
I take his large hand in both of mine. “I know how hard that is for you. I appreciate how you’ve had to change and open up more to be with me. I’d love nothing more than to be your ol’ lady.”
He grins the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his gorgeous face and I laugh. “Damn it, woman, you just made me the happiest man alive.” He stands. “So that brings me to the next question.” I watch as he drops to one knee and pulls out a small box. He glances up at me and suddenly looks nervous. “Eva, will you marry me?” He opens the box and a white gold band housing a large diamond twinkles at me. My mouth falls open. I never expected this—a Kings Reaper on his knee asking for my hand in marriage. This has to go down in history as one of the best dates ever.
I nod. “Of course, I will,” I whisper, a tear evident in my eye. “Yes.”
He stands and I join him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him. “I love you.” He grins against my lips.
“I love you.”
It’s not easy, loving Cree. Our journey hasn’t been plain sailing. But this feels right. Everyone around us seems to be standing still or going backwards, but this feels like we’re moving forwards, leaving Michelle and Callum behind and getting on with our future.
“You captured me from the second I laid eyes on you,” he says into my ear and I grin.
“I captured Cree!” I joke and he kisses my cheek.
“Yes, you did!”
The End
Untitled
The End
Thank you all for
