Chapter 94
“ Y ou’re asking my blessing to move in with my daughter tonight?” Looking incredulous and furious, War’s face turns more purple than the rolled bandana tied around his forehead.
“Technically, not tonight. She’ll be moving in tomorrow.” The contractors are putting the final touches on the place right now. “She doesn’t know it yet. It’s a surprise.”
“This is moving fucking fast.” War frowns at me. I hold my ground. Standing opposite him on his front stoop, I’m counting my lucky stars that he hasn’t hit me yet.
“It’s been moving in this direction for a long while.” I lay it out, though I think he mostly knows. “I’m totally and completely in love with your daughter.”
“Has Peace agreed to all of this?” he asks.
“We love each other, and we’re committed to each other.” I rub my jaw. He’s wearing those silver rings that ripped my flesh. But if he decides to punch me this time, I won’t be passive. I didn’t do anything wrong. This time, I’m finally getting it right.
“I’ll fight for the privilege to keep her. I’ll fight you or the whole damn world if I need to.” I firm my stance but soften my tone. “But I don’t want to hurt you if I don’t have to because she cares about you.”
His hand moves to his jaw as he seems to give what I’ve said some serious consideration.
Behind me on the drive, I hear Carson clear his throat. He’s reminding War of his presence, maybe reminding me too. I suppress a grin, but, man, it feels good knowing my best guy friend has my back.
“Daddy.” Harmony appears. Inside the house, behind her dad, she tugs on his arm. “Don’t give Bo a hard time. He came all the way from Vancouver to declare himself.”
“Hey, babe,” Carson says. Shifting, I catch the friendly wave he directs at Harmony. “You look awesome. You ready to go?”
“Yes, definitely.” She goes up on her toes and kisses her father’s cheek.
“Do not like you going out with this guy,” War mutters testily as she withdraws.
“You don’t like any guy I go out with.” She shakes her head at him and slips past him on her way to Carson. “But you don’t need to worry. We’re just having fun. It’s not serious.”
“I gotta go,” I tell War. My buddy is my ride back to Vancouver. “So which way do you wanna do this?” I spread my feet apart, anticipating the hard way. “Easy or hard doesn’t make a difference to me. Either way, I’m keeping Peace, and she’s keeping me.”
“War.” Shaina joins her husband in the doorway. “Peace is all grown up, honey.” She hooks her arm around his. “And Bo is her choice. You can withhold welcoming him into the family, but I think deep down you know he’s already a part of it.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Jinkins.” I lift my chin.
“Shaina,” she corrects, her gaze sliding to me. “It’s just Shaina.” She smiles. “I like that you came here. It says a lot about your character. But a heads-up. Peace has another important man in her life you’ll need to win over.”
“Treyall.” Fuck, I forgot about him.
She nods. “As soon as Alex hears about this, and he will hear about it because I’ll tell him, he’ll demand to have a one-on-one chat with you.”
“I look forward to it.” I’ll face down the entire world, do whatever I need to keep Peace. “I’m available whenever he is. I’m happy to have a conversation with anyone who’s important to my girl.”
“Good. This is good.” She tips her face up to War. “This reminds me of us when we were first starting out and my dad was against us.”
“Sweetness.” War glances at her, his expression softening.
“Don’t think of it as losing Peace,” she advises. “Think of it as gaining a son.”
“Fucking not ready for this shit.” He groans, but when he looks at me again, I can see where this is going. His woman is the sweet part of him like mine.
“I love her, man.” I hold out my hand. “I promise I’ll protect and defend her with my life.”
“See that you do,” he says gruffly. Taking my hand, he proceeds to squeeze the absolute crap out of it.
Peace
The unfamiliar apartment feels wrong without Bo. In my bed, I toss and turn. I’m exhausted, but sleep eludes me. I miss Bo. I want him to hold me. Unable to stand it anymore, I grab my cell and call him. He answers on the first ring. “Where are you?” I ask. The connection is bad.
“Seattle,” he replies. “Just saw your dad. Told him about us.”
What? My jaw drops.
“And he didn’t even hit me this time,” he continues, sounding pleased. “I consider that progress.”
“I can’t believe you did that.” The fact that he did means everything.
“Believe it. I called your uncle just a few minutes ago. Not sure he won’t end up punching me at some point, but at least he knows where I stand.”
“Which is?” I twist the sheet in my hands.
“With you, baby,” he replies. “Always with you.”
“I wish you were here now,” I confess. “I don’t like waiting until tomorrow.”
“You can do it.” His voice drops an octave. “Told you I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“You better.” Heat pools between my quivering legs.
“I promise. I love you, Peace. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Love you too, Bo.” I end the call, smiling and tingling with anticipation.
It’s going to be a long, long night.